A Key Interaction Behind the Scenes: Dung Beetles in Livestock Production from Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands.

Pastoralism is a dominant agricultural activity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The interaction between coprophagous insects and livestock is a key but an undervalued topic in rangeland management decisions. The objective was to identify similarities and differences in the composition of coprophagous insects and nesting strategies, associated with different climatic conditions within these regions. We performed a literature review of research articles available in the Scopus database which resulted in 17 articles. We examined the taxonomic diversity of dung beetles and their nesting strategies in relation to temperature and precipitation at the study sites. Results revealed a rich and varied interaction between dung beetles and livestock in arid and semi-arid environments, with 364 species from the Scarabaeoidea superfamily documented worldwide. The greatest diversity of dung beetles was reported in hot arid and semi-arid conditions with dry winters and in cold semi-arid ones with no marked annual precipitation cycle. These insects displayed diverse nesting strategies, with endocoprid strategies predominating in colder and drier settings, and paracoprid and telecoprid strategies in warmer, more humid environments. Domestic animal species are currently key components in promoting this interaction, which indicates that the ecological processes involving coprophagous fauna are occurring in production systems, which are under the influence of human decisions. We discuss the design and planning of livestock and rangeland management in arid and semi-arid environments, emphasizing in a more formalized manner the inclusion of this kind of interaction.

Pre-contact Agave domesticates - living legacy plants in Arizona's landscape.

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Agaves played a central role as multi-use plants providing food, fibre and beverage to pre-contact and historical Mesoamerican cultures. However, their importance to Indigenous Peoples in the Southwest USA and northern Mexico, where they occur because of adaptations such as CAM photosynthesis, is less well known. Archaeological research indicates the Hohokam and other pre-contact Southwestern agrarian people increased agricultural potential in this region by engineering riverine terraces and bajadas for agave dry farming. Agricultural features such as terraces and rock piles were especially characteristic of post-1000 CE with the increase of dense, aggregated populations. We present an overview of six pre-contact agave domesticates (PCADs) the Hohokam and other cultures cultivated, and their ecological and cultural attributes. These PCADs are Agave murpheyi, A. delamateri, A. phillipsiana, A. sanpedroensis, A. verdensis and A. yavapaiensis. CONCLUSION: Pre-contact agriculturists cultivated at least six once cryptic domesticated agave species in the modern Arizona landscape associated with pre-contact agricultural features, such as rock structures. Because of the longevity and primarily asexual reproduction of these agaves, relict clones have persisted to the present day, providing an opportunity to study pre-contact nutrition, trade, migration and agricultural practices. Taxonomic data imply that pre-contact farmers selected desirable attributes, initiating domestication processes that resulted in discrete lineages. These agaves are morphologically and genetically distinct from Southwest US and northern Mexico wild agaves and Mesoamerican wild and domesticated species. Additionally, the remnant clones present a rare opportunity to examine domesticates virtually unchanged since they were last cultivated prehistorically. These discoveries underline the need to view landscapes and some plant species from a cultural, rather than 'natural', perspective and discern potential cryptic species veiled by traditional taxonomic treatments. Protecting and understanding the distribution, and ecological and cultural roles of these plants require interdisciplinary collaboration between botanists, archaeologists, federal agencies and Indigenous Peoples.

Moving far from water: unusual dispersal movement of the water opossum (Chironectes minimus: Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) in central Brazil / Afastando-se da água: movimento de dispersão incomum da cuica d'água (Chironectes minimus: Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) no Brasil central

Abstract: Unusual movements of an animal can potentially represent a dispersal event. A higher frequency of young males dispersing is a pattern observed for most part of polygynous or promiscuous mammals with these dispersion events occurring, mainly, before or at the beginning of the breeding season. The water opossum (Chironectes minimus), the only marsupial adapted for semi-aquatic life, occurs from Mexico to Argentina and it has been mostly described as a sensitive species to river and riparian vegetation degradation, occurring exclusively near water curses. Here we describe the first record of long-distance movement of a water opossum not associated with riverine vegetation through dry land. We captured a healthy adult male of C. minimus in July 2012 beside of a highway (DF-001) located 1,100 m from nearest gallery forest in the Federal District. The region is characterized by urban and suburban residential, small fragments of typical savanna and degraded gallery forests. Our unique record could be an event of dispersion through degraded dry lands as observed for other semi-aquatic mammals and also suggests that this species is more resistant to anthropogenic disturbances than previously described. Also, information about dispersal patterns of water opossum is scarce and may contributes to a deeper understanding of ecological requirements of this species.

Resumo: Deslocamentos incomuns realizados por um animal podem representar potencialmente um evento de dispersão. Grande parte dos mamíferos poligínicos ou promíscuos, apresentam uma maior frequência de machos jovens dispersando, e esses eventos ocorrem, principalmente, antes ou no início da estação reprodutiva. A cuíca d'água (Chironectes minimus), único marsupial adaptado à vida semiaquática, ocorre do México à Argentina. Tem sido descrito principalmente como uma espécie sensível à degradação de cursos d'água e matas ciliares, ocorrendo exclusivamente próximo aos cursos d'água. Desta forma, descrevemos aqui o primeiro registro do deslocamento de longa distância de uma cuíca d'água não associado à vegetação ribeirinha através de um ambiente seco. Capturamos um macho adulto saudável de C. minimus em julho de 2012 à margem de uma rodovia (DF-001) localizada a 1.100 m da mata de galeria mais próxima no Distrito Federal. A região é caracterizada por residências urbanas e suburbanas, pequenos fragmentos de cerrado sentido restrito e matas de galeria degradadas. Nosso registro singular pode ser um evento de dispersão através de ambientes secos antropizados, conforme observado para outros mamíferos semiaquáticos, o que, também, sugere que esta espécie é mais resistente a distúrbios antropogênicos do que descrito anteriormente. Além disso, as informações sobre os padrões de dispersão da cuíca d'água são escassas e podem contribuir para um entendimento mais profundo dos requisitos ecológicos desta espécie.

Nutritional effects of using cactus cladodes (Opuntia stricta Haw Haw) to replace sorghum silage in sheep diet.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of replacing the sorghum silage in sheep diet with cactus cladodes [CC - Opuntia stricta (Haw) Haw] on dry matter and its compound intake and digestibility, feeding behavior, and nitrogen balance. The diets consisted of five replacement levels [0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 g/kg on a dry matter (DM) basis] and were formulated to be isonitrogenous [140 g/kg crude protein [CP], considering the ingredients' composition, with a roughage/concentrate ratio of 65:35, on a DM basis. Five uncastrated crossbred sheep, with an average body weight of 52.9 ± 6.0 kg, were assigned to a 5 × 5 Latin square. The trial lasted for 105 days with five consecutive 21-day periods, divided into 14-day adaptation and 7-day sampling periods. Dry matter (DM), organic matter, non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), total digestible nutrient intake, and DM and NFC digestibility, increased (P ≤ 0.04) with the replacement of sorghum silage by CC. However, the time spent feeding and ruminating decreased, while idle time increased (P ≤ 0.03). Only feeding and rumination efficiency of DM improved (P ≤ 0.01) with the replacement, whereas feeding and rumination efficiency of neutral detergent fiber corrected to ash and protein did not. Nitrogen intake and nitrogen balance were not influenced, and urinary volume increased (P ≤ 0.01) with the addition of CC in the diet. In conclusion, we recommend replacing 80% of the sorghum silage with CC in sheep diets (with 35% concentrate), as CC was found to substantially increase the intake of nutrients, primarily energy.

Land Use Change and Water Quality Use for Irrigation Alters Drylands Soil Fungal Community in the Mezquital Valley, Mexico.

Soil fungal communities provide important ecosystem services, however, some soil borne representatives damage agricultural productivity. Composition under land-use change scenarios, especially in drylands, is rarely studied. Here, the soil fungal community composition and diversity of natural shrubland was analyzed and compared with agricultural systems irrigated with different water quality, namely rain, fresh water, dam-stored, and untreated wastewater. Superficial soil samples were collected during the dry and rainy seasons. Amplicon-based sequencing of the ITS2 region was performed on total DNA extractions and used the amplicon sequence variants to predict specific fungal trophic modes with FUNGuild. Additionally, we screened for potential pathogens of crops and humans and assessed potential risks. Fungal diversity and richness were highest in shrubland and least in the wastewater-irrigated soil. Soil moisture together with soil pH and exchangeable sodium were the strongest drivers of the fungal community. The abundance of saprophytic fungi remained constant among the land use systems, while symbiotic and pathogenic fungi of plants and animals had the lowest abundance in soil irrigated with untreated wastewater. We found lineage-specific adaptations to each land use system: fungal families associated to shrubland, rainfed and part of the freshwater were adapted to drought, hence sensitive to exchangeable sodium content and most of them to N and P content. Taxa associated to freshwater, dam wastewater and untreated wastewater irrigated systems show the opposite trend. Additionally, we identified potentially harmful human pathogens that might be a health risk for the population.

Priority regions for research on dryland cereals and legumes.

Dryland cereals and legumes  are important crops in farming systems across the world.  Yet they are frequently neglected among the priorities for international agricultural research and development, often due to lack of information on their magnitude and extent. Given what we know about the global distribution of dryland cereals and legumes, what regions should be high priority for research and development to improve livelihoods and food security? This research evaluated the geographic dimensions of these crops and the farming systems where they are found worldwide. The study employed geographic information science and data to assess the key farming systems and regions for these crops. Dryland cereal and legume crops should be given high priority in 18 farming systems worldwide, where their cultivated area comprises more than 160 million ha. These regions include the dryer areas of South Asia, West and East Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Central America and other parts of Asia. These regions are prone to drought and heat stress, have limiting soil constraints, make up half of the global population and account for 60 percent of the global poor and malnourished. The dryland cereal and legume crops and farming systems merit more research and development attention to improve productivity and address development problems. This project developed an open access dataset and information resource that provides the basis for future analysis of the geographic dimensions of dryland cereals and legumes.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd. ) Poir from Brazilian semi-arid

Abstract Many plant species from Brazilian semi-arid present arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in their rhizosphere. These microorganisms play a key role in the establishment, growth, survival of plants and protection against drought, pathogenic fungi and nematodes. This study presents a quantitative analysis of the AMF species associated with Mimosa tenuiflora, an important native plant of the Caatinga flora. AMF diversity, spore abundance and root colonization were estimated in seven sampling locations in the Ceará and Paraíba States, during September of 2012. There were significant differences in soil properties, spore abundance, percentage of root colonization, and AMF diversity among sites. Altogether, 18 AMF species were identified, and spores of the genera Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Dentiscutata, Entrophospora, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus, Racocetra, Rhizoglomus and Scutellospora were observed. AMF species diversity and their spore abundance found in M. tenuiflora rhizosphere shown that this native plant species is an important host plant to AMF communities from Brazilian semi-arid region. We concluded that: (a) during the dry period and in semi-arid conditions, there is a high spore production in M. tenuiflora root zone; and (b) soil properties, as soil pH and available phosphorous, affect AMF species diversity, thus constituting key factors for the similarity/dissimilarity of AMF communities in the M. tenuiflora root zone among sites.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd. ) Poir from Brazilian semi-arid

Many plant species from Brazilian semi-arid present arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in their rhizosphere. These microorganisms play a key role in the establishment, growth, survival of plants and protection against drought, pathogenic fungi and nematodes. This study presents a quantitative analysis of the AMF species associated with Mimosa tenuiflora, an important native plant of the Caatinga flora. AMF diversity, spore abundance and root colonization were estimated in seven sampling locations in the Ceará and Paraíba States, during September of 2012. There were significant differences in soil properties, spore abundance, percentage of root colonization, and AMF diversity among sites. Altogether, 18 AMF species were identified, and spores of the genera Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Dentiscutata, Entrophospora, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus, Racocetra, Rhizoglomus and Scutellospora were observed. AMF species diversity and their spore abundance found in M. tenuiflora rhizosphere shown that this native plant species is an important host plant to AMF communities from Brazilian semi-arid region. We concluded that: (a) during the dry period and in semi-arid conditions, there is a high spore production in M. tenuiflora root zone; and (b) soil properties, as soil pH and available phosphorous, affect AMF species diversity, thus constituting key factors for the similarity/dissimilarity of AMF communities in the M. tenuiflora root zone among sites.(AU)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir from Brazilian semi-arid.

Many plant species from Brazilian semi-arid present arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in their rhizosphere. These microorganisms play a key role in the establishment, growth, survival of plants and protection against drought, pathogenic fungi and nematodes. This study presents a quantitative analysis of the AMF species associated with Mimosa tenuiflora, an important native plant of the Caatinga flora. AMF diversity, spore abundance and root colonization were estimated in seven sampling locations in the Ceará and Paraíba States, during September of 2012. There were significant differences in soil properties, spore abundance, percentage of root colonization, and AMF diversity among sites. Altogether, 18 AMF species were identified, and spores of the genera Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Dentiscutata, Entrophospora, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus, Racocetra, Rhizoglomus and Scutellospora were observed. AMF species diversity and their spore abundance found in M. tenuiflora rhizosphere shown that this native plant species is an important host plant to AMF communities from Brazilian semi-arid region. We concluded that: (a) during the dry period and in semi-arid conditions, there is a high spore production in M. tenuiflora root zone; and (b) soil properties, as soil pH and available phosphorous, affect AMF species diversity, thus constituting key factors for the similarity/dissimilarity of AMF communities in the M. tenuiflora root zone among sites.

Effect of intrahippocampal administration of anti-melanin-concentrating hormone on spatial food-seeking behavior in rats.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a hypothalamic peptide that plays a critical role in the regulation of food intake and energy metabolism. In this study, we investigated the potential role of dense hippocampal MCH innervation in the spatially oriented food-seeking component of feeding behavior. Rats were trained for eight sessions to seek food buried in an arena using the working memory version of the food-seeking behavior (FSB) task. The testing day involved a bilateral anti-MCH injection into the hippocampal formation followed by two trials. The anti-MCH injection did not interfere with the performance during the first trial on the testing day, which was similar to the training trials. However, during the second testing trial, when no food was presented in the arena, the control subjects exhibited a dramatic increase in the latency to initiate digging. Treatment with an anti-MCH antibody did not interfere with either the food-seeking behavior or the spatial orientation of the subjects, but the increase in the latency to start digging observed in the control subjects was prevented. These results are discussed in terms of a potential MCH-mediated hippocampal role in the integration of the sensory information necessary for decision-making in the pre-ingestive component of feeding behavior.

Use of two indicators for the socio-environmental risk analysis of Northern Mexico under three climate change scenarios.

The aims of this study were to (1) find critical areas susceptible to the degradation of natural resources according to local erosion rates and aridity levels, which were used as environmental quality indicators, and (2) identify areas of risk associated with the presence of natural hazards according to three climate change scenarios defined for Mexico. The focus was the municipality of Lerdo, Durango (25.166° to 25.783° N and 103.333° to 103.983° W), which has dry temperate and very dry climates (BSohw and BWhw). From the Global Circulation Models, downscaling techniques for the dynamic modeling of environmental processes using climate data, historical information, and three regionalized climate change scenarios were applied to determine the impacts from laminar wind erosion rates (LWER) and aridity indices (AI). From the historic period to scenario A2 (ScA2, 2010-2039), regarding greenhouse gas emissions, the LWER was predicted to reach 147.2 t ha-1 year-1, representing a 0.5 m thickness over nearly 30 years and a change in the AI from 9.3 to 8.7. This trend represents an increase in drought for 70.8 % of the study area and could affect 90 % of the agricultural activities and approximately 80 % of the population living in the southeastern Lerdense territory.

Nível crítico de toxidez do ácido acético em culturas alternativas para solos de várzea / Acetic acid critical level in alternative crops for wetland soils

A deficiente drenagem natural dos solos de várzea proporciona um ambiente anaeróbico, favorecendo a formação de substâncias tóxicas, como o ácido acético, que afeta o desempenho de espécies de sequeiro nesses ecossistemas. O presente estudo foi conduzido com os objetivos de avaliar os efeitos e estabelecer os níveis críticos de toxidez do ácido acético para culturas de sequeiro alternativas para solos de várzea, como o milho, a soja e o sorgo. Os tratamentos constaram de seis doses de ácido acético, entre zero e 8mM, para milho (Embrapa BRS 1001) e sorgo (BRS 307), e quatro doses entre zero e 4mM, para soja (Embrapa BRS 133), com seis repetições, em delineamento completamente casualizado. Os indicadores avaliados foram os parâmetros morfológicos do sistema radicular (comprimento, raio, área e massa seca relativas) e concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg e massa seca relativa da parte aérea das plantas. O ácido acético foi tóxico para as culturas do milho, da soja e do sorgo, causando reduções no comprimento, na área e na massa seca radicular e na massa seca e na concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg da parte aérea. As concentrações de ácido acético responsáveis pela inibição de 50 por cento do comprimento radicular relativo foram de 2mM para a soja e 2,7mM para o milho e o sorgo.

The poor drainage of wetland soils originates an anaerobic environment favoring the appearance of toxic substances, like acetic acid, which affects negatively the growth of dryland crops. The present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of acetic acid and establishing its threshold for alternative crops cultivated in wetland soils, such as maize, soybean and sorghum. Plants of maize (Embrapa BRS 1001) and sorghum (BRS 307) were exposed to six acetic acid levels, from zero to 8mM; whereas plants of soybean (Embrapa BRS 133) were exposed to four levels, from zero to 4mM. The experimental design used was completely randomized with six replications. Morphological parameters of plant root system (length, root radium, area and relative dry mass), relative shoot dry mass and N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentration in plant shoot were assessed. The acetic acid was toxic to maize, soybean and sorghum, being evidenced by decreases in the root length and dry mass, in the total plant dry mass and in the N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in the plant shoot. The acetic acid concentrations responsible for decreasing 50 percent of the relative root length were 2mM for soybean and 2.7mM for maize and sorghum.

Nível crítico de toxidez do ácido acético em culturas alternativas para solos de várzea

The poor drainage of wetland soils originates an anaerobic environment favoring the appearance of toxic substances, like acetic acid, which affects negatively the growth of dryland crops. The present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of acetic acid and establishing its threshold for alternative crops cultivated in wetland soils, such as maize, soybean and sorghum. Plants of maize (Embrapa BRS 1001) and sorghum (BRS 307) were exposed to six acetic acid levels, from zero to 8mM; whereas plants of soybean (Embrapa BRS 133) were exposed to four levels, from zero to 4mM. The experimental design used was completely randomized with six replications. Morphological parameters of plant root system (length, root radium, area and relative dry mass), relative shoot dry mass and N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentration in plant shoot were assessed. The acetic acid was toxic to maize, soybean and sorghum, being evidenced by decreases in the root length and dry mass, in the total plant dry mass and in the N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in the plant shoot. The acetic acid concentrations responsible for decreasing 50% of the relative root length were 2mM for soybean and 2.7mM for maize and sorghum.

A deficiente drenagem natural dos solos de várzea proporciona um ambiente anaeróbico, favorecendo a formação de substâncias tóxicas, como o ácido acético, que afeta o desempenho de espécies de sequeiro nesses ecossistemas. O presente estudo foi conduzido com os objetivos de avaliar os efeitos e estabelecer os níveis críticos de toxidez do ácido acético para culturas de sequeiro alternativas para solos de várzea, como o milho, a soja e o sorgo. Os tratamentos constaram de seis doses de ácido acético, entre zero e 8mM, para milho (Embrapa BRS 1001) e sorgo (BRS 307), e quatro doses entre zero e 4mM, para soja (Embrapa BRS 133), com seis repetições, em delineamento completamente casualizado. Os indicadores avaliados foram os parâmetros morfológicos do sistema radicular (comprimento, raio, área e massa seca relativas) e concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg e massa seca relativa da parte aérea das plantas. O ácido acético foi tóxico para as culturas do milho, da soja e do sorgo, causando reduções no comprimento, na área e na massa seca radicular e na massa seca e na concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg da parte aérea. As concentrações de ácido acético responsáveis pela inibição de 50% do comprimento radicular relativo foram de 2mM para a soja e 2,7mM para o milho e o sorgo.

Nível crítico de toxidez do ácido acético em culturas alternativas para solos de várzea

The poor drainage of wetland soils originates an anaerobic environment favoring the appearance of toxic substances, like acetic acid, which affects negatively the growth of dryland crops. The present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of acetic acid and establishing its threshold for alternative crops cultivated in wetland soils, such as maize, soybean and sorghum. Plants of maize (Embrapa BRS 1001) and sorghum (BRS 307) were exposed to six acetic acid levels, from zero to 8mM; whereas plants of soybean (Embrapa BRS 133) were exposed to four levels, from zero to 4mM. The experimental design used was completely randomized with six replications. Morphological parameters of plant root system (length, root radium, area and relative dry mass), relative shoot dry mass and N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentration in plant shoot were assessed. The acetic acid was toxic to maize, soybean and sorghum, being evidenced by decreases in the root length and dry mass, in the total plant dry mass and in the N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in the plant shoot. The acetic acid concentrations responsible for decreasing 50% of the relative root length were 2mM for soybean and 2.7mM for maize and sorghum.

A deficiente drenagem natural dos solos de várzea proporciona um ambiente anaeróbico, favorecendo a formação de substâncias tóxicas, como o ácido acético, que afeta o desempenho de espécies de sequeiro nesses ecossistemas. O presente estudo foi conduzido com os objetivos de avaliar os efeitos e estabelecer os níveis críticos de toxidez do ácido acético para culturas de sequeiro alternativas para solos de várzea, como o milho, a soja e o sorgo. Os tratamentos constaram de seis doses de ácido acético, entre zero e 8mM, para milho (Embrapa BRS 1001) e sorgo (BRS 307), e quatro doses entre zero e 4mM, para soja (Embrapa BRS 133), com seis repetições, em delineamento completamente casualizado. Os indicadores avaliados foram os parâmetros morfológicos do sistema radicular (comprimento, raio, área e massa seca relativas) e concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg e massa seca relativa da parte aérea das plantas. O ácido acético foi tóxico para as culturas do milho, da soja e do sorgo, causando reduções no comprimento, na área e na massa seca radicular e na massa seca e na concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg da parte aérea. As concentrações de ácido acético responsáveis pela inibição de 50% do comprimento radicular relativo foram de 2mM para a soja e 2,7mM para o milho e o sorgo.

Nível crítico de toxidez do ácido acético em culturas alternativas para solos de várzea

The poor drainage of wetland soils originates an anaerobic environment favoring the appearance of toxic substances, like acetic acid, which affects negatively the growth of dryland crops. The present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of acetic acid and establishing its threshold for alternative crops cultivated in wetland soils, such as maize, soybean and sorghum. Plants of maize (Embrapa BRS 1001) and sorghum (BRS 307) were exposed to six acetic acid levels, from zero to 8mM; whereas plants of soybean (Embrapa BRS 133) were exposed to four levels, from zero to 4mM. The experimental design used was completely randomized with six replications. Morphological parameters of plant root system (length, root radium, area and relative dry mass), relative shoot dry mass and N, P, K, Ca and Mg concentration in plant shoot were assessed. The acetic acid was toxic to maize, soybean and sorghum, being evidenced by decreases in the root length and dry mass, in the total plant dry mass and in the N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in the plant shoot. The acetic acid concentrations responsible for decreasing 50% of the relative root length were 2mM for soybean and 2.7mM for maize and sorghum.

A deficiente drenagem natural dos solos de várzea proporciona um ambiente anaeróbico, favorecendo a formação de substâncias tóxicas, como o ácido acético, que afeta o desempenho de espécies de sequeiro nesses ecossistemas. O presente estudo foi conduzido com os objetivos de avaliar os efeitos e estabelecer os níveis críticos de toxidez do ácido acético para culturas de sequeiro alternativas para solos de várzea, como o milho, a soja e o sorgo. Os tratamentos constaram de seis doses de ácido acético, entre zero e 8mM, para milho (Embrapa BRS 1001) e sorgo (BRS 307), e quatro doses entre zero e 4mM, para soja (Embrapa BRS 133), com seis repetições, em delineamento completamente casualizado. Os indicadores avaliados foram os parâmetros morfológicos do sistema radicular (comprimento, raio, área e massa seca relativas) e concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg e massa seca relativa da parte aérea das plantas. O ácido acético foi tóxico para as culturas do milho, da soja e do sorgo, causando reduções no comprimento, na área e na massa seca radicular e na massa seca e na concentração de N, P, K, Ca e Mg da parte aérea. As concentrações de ácido acético responsáveis pela inibição de 50% do comprimento radicular relativo foram de 2mM para a soja e 2,7mM para o milho e o sorgo.

Pseudoescorpiões (Arachnida) da vegetação de sub-bosque da floresta primária tropical de terra firme (Coari, Amazonas, Brasil)

A richness of 15 pseudoscorpion species, 12 genera belonging to 5 families (Chthoniidae, Geogarypidae, Olpiidae, Atemnidae and Chernetidae) were found in the undergrowth vegetation of the dryland forest, at the upper Urucu river, Coari, Amazonas, from 1991 to 1996, and was collected by the "beating tray" method. Apolpium aff. vastum was the most frequent and abundant species in the undergrowth forest vegetation. Among the various types of plants examined, the majority of the pseudoscorpions occurred in small palms (in the ground-trenched palms as much as the erect stemmed palms). To appraise the specie's composition of these arachnids found in the different kinds of plants, the Q-mode analysis was used based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients. The coefficients that showed the greatest similarity were between the fauna of the palms and other plants that accumulate litter on top of the ground, and between the Bromeliacea and Aracea of the floor and other plants that use the litter of the ground.

Foi encontrada uma riqueza de 15 espécies de pseudoscorpiões, de 12 gêneros e 5 famílias (Chthoniidae, Geogarypidae, Olpiidae, Atemnidae e Chernetidae), habitando diferentes plantas da vegetação do sub-bosque, em floresta primária de terra firme, no alto rio Urucu, Coari, Amazonas, no período de 1991 a 1996. As plantas foram examinadas pelo método de "bateção". Apolpium aff. vastum foi à espécie mais freqüente e abundante sobre as plantas. Dentre os tipos de plantas avaliados, as maiores diversidades de espécies de pseudoscorpiões foram registradas nas pequenas palmeiras, tanto com fronde junto ao chão, como elevada acima do chão. A análise da composição das espécies que ocorreram sobre os diferentes tipos de plantas avaliadas foi realizada pelo "modo-Q", tendo como base a matriz de coeficientes de similaridade de "Jaccard", o que demonstrou maior similaridade entre a fauna das palmeiras e outras plantas que acumulam detritos acima do chão, entre as bromélias e entre aráceas de chão e outras plantas que acumulam detritos junto ao chão.

Pseudoescorpiões (Arachnida) da vegetação de sub-bosque da floresta primária tropical de terra firme (Coari, Amazonas, Brasil) / Pseudoscorpions (Aracnida) in the undergrowth vegetetion in dryland forest in Coari, Amazonas, Brazil

Foi encontrada uma riqueza de 15 espécies de pseudoscorpiões, de 12 gêneros e 5 famílias (Chthoniidae, Geogarypidae, Olpiidae, Atemnidae e Chernetidae), habitando diferentes plantas da vegetação do sub-bosque, em floresta primária de terra firme, no alto rio Urucu, Coari, Amazonas, no período de 1991 a 1996. As plantas foram examinadas pelo método de "bateção". Apolpium aff. vastum foi à espécie mais freqüente e abundante sobre as plantas. Dentre os tipos de plantas avaliados, as maiores diversidades de espécies de pseudoscorpiões foram registradas nas pequenas palmeiras, tanto com fronde junto ao chão, como elevada acima do chão. A análise da composição das espécies que ocorreram sobre os diferentes tipos de plantas avaliadas foi realizada pelo "modo-Q", tendo como base a matriz de coeficientes de similaridade de "Jaccard", o que demonstrou maior similaridade entre a fauna das palmeiras e outras plantas que acumulam detritos acima do chão, entre as bromélias e entre aráceas de chão e outras plantas que acumulam detritos junto ao chão.

A richness of 15 pseudoscorpion species, 12 genera belonging to 5 families (Chthoniidae, Geogarypidae, Olpiidae, Atemnidae and Chernetidae) were found in the undergrowth vegetation of the dryland forest, at the upper Urucu river, Coari, Amazonas, from 1991 to 1996, and was collected by the "beating tray" method. Apolpium aff. vastum was the most frequent and abundant species in the undergrowth forest vegetation. Among the various types of plants examined, the majority of the pseudoscorpions occurred in small palms (in the ground-trenched palms as much as the erect stemmed palms). To appraise the specie's composition of these arachnids found in the different kinds of plants, the Q-mode analysis was used based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients. The coefficients that showed the greatest similarity were between the fauna of the palms and other plants that accumulate litter on top of the ground, and between the Bromeliacea and Aracea of the floor and other plants that use the litter of the ground.

RENDIMENTO DE BENEFÍCIO E DE GRÃOS INTEIROS EM FUNÇÃO DO ESPAÇAMENTO E DA DENSIDADE DE SEMEADURA DO ARROZ DE SEQUEIRO

A field experiment was carried out on a clayey Dark Red Latosol in Selvíria, MS, Brazil, to study the effect of three row spacings (30, 40 and 50 cm) and three plant densities (100, 150 and 200 viable seeds/m2) on the hulling yield and the percentage of undamaged grains. There was no effect of row spacings and plant densities on hulling yield. Increasing plant population led to an increase of broken grains. The percentage of undamaged and broken grains were not affected by row spacing.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar o efeito do espaçamento entre fileiras (30, 40 e 50 cm) e da densidade de semeadura (100, 150 e 200 sementes viáveis/m2) quanto a qualidade industrial de grãos do arroz de sequeiro cv. IAC 201. Dessa forma, foi instalado um experimento em condições de campo, em um Latossolo Vermelho escuro, epi-eutrófico, textura argilosa, em Selvíria, MS. Para tanto, foram avaliados os rendimentos de grãos, no benefício, grãos inteiros e quebrados. A variação do espaçamento e da densidade de semeadura não afetou o rendimento de benefício. O aumento da densidade de semeadura aumentou a porcentagem de grãos quebrados. Os rendimentos de grãos inteiros e quebrados não foram influenciados pela variação do espaçamento entre fileiras.

Rendimento de benefício e de grãos inteiros em função do espaçamento e da densidade de semeadura do arroz de sequeiro

A field experiment was carried out on a clayey Dark Red Latosol in Selvíria, MS, Brazil, to study the effect of three row spacings (30, 40 and 50 cm) and three plant densities (100, 150 and 200 viable seeds/m2) on the hulling yield and the percentage of undamaged grains. There was no effect of row spacings and plant densities on hulling yield. Increasing plant population led to an increase of broken grains. The percentage of undamaged and broken grains were not affected by row spacing.

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar o efeito do espaçamento entre fileiras (30, 40 e 50 cm) e da densidade de semeadura (100, 150 e 200 sementes viáveis/m2) quanto a qualidade industrial de grãos do arroz de sequeiro cv. IAC 201. Dessa forma, foi instalado um experimento em condições de campo, em um Latossolo Vermelho escuro, epi-eutrófico, textura argilosa, em Selvíria, MS. Para tanto, foram avaliados os rendimentos de grãos, no benefício, grãos inteiros e quebrados. A variação do espaçamento e da densidade de semeadura não afetou o rendimento de benefício. O aumento da densidade de semeadura aumentou a porcentagem de grãos quebrados. Os rendimentos de grãos inteiros e quebrados não foram influenciados pela variação do espaçamento entre fileiras.