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Grain yield, agronomic traits, and protein content of two- and six-row barley genotypes under terminal drought conditions
No full textSmall grain cereals in lower latitude areas usually mature under
terminal drought conditions that affect their agronomic performance. An
experiment was conducted to compare agronomic traits, grain yield, and
protein content under control and terminal drought conditions of 15
two-row and 10 six-row barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) genotypes. The
experiment was set up at two locations for two growing seasons (2011,
2012) and two treatments. One treatment was terminal drought (D)
simulated by the mechanical removal of all leaf blades 7 d after the
heading of each genotype, and a control (C) treatment in which plants
were left intact. On average, defoliation caused a greater reduction in
grain yield and protein content of the six-row genotypes (37.6% and
12.3%, respectively) than the two-row genotypes (28.8% and 7.1%,
respectively). On the other hand, test weight of six-row genotypes
showed better tolerance to terminal drought. According to the
multivariate function analysis, the genotypes of both types of barley
with a high test weight, a longer uppermost internode, and a longer
grain filling period had high protein content under terminal drought
stress. In contrast to six-row genotypes, it is possible to breed
two-row genotypes that not only have high grain yield but also high
protein content under both optimal and drought stress conditions
Optimization of media formulation for axillary shoot multiplication of the red-peeled sweet potato (<taxon genus="Ipomoea" species="batatas" sub-prefix="" sub-species=""><sp>Ipomoea</sp> <sp>batatas</sp></taxon> [L.] Lam.) \u2018Abees\u2019
No full textSweet potato (<taxon genus="Ipomoea" species="batatas" sub-prefix=""
sub-species=""><sp>Ipomoea</sp>
<sp>batatas</sp></taxon> [L.] Lam.) is an important
food crop that is cultivated and consumed worldwide, and its
nutritional value makes it especially important in developing
countries. However, sweet potato plants produced using conventional
vegetative propagation can be prone to several diseases, thereby
hindering crop yield. Therefore, micropropagation techniques are useful
for producing higher quality plant material. The aim of the present
study was to determine the optimal medium formulation for the axillary
shoot multiplication of single-node \u2018Abees\u2019 explants. The
influences of cytokinins (6-benzyladenine [BA], kinetin, thidiazuron,
and zeatin), gibberellic acid, phenylacetic acid, indole-3-butyric
acid, silver nitrate, and oxalic acid, culture duration, and medium
salt strength were investigated. Optimal proliferation was observed
when shoots were cultured on half-strength MS medium that was
supplemented with 2 mg L-1 BA and 100 mg L-1 oxalic acid for 2 wk,
followed by culture on half-strength MS medium without plant growth
regulators for 4 wk. In this medium, the greatest number of shoots
(3.1) and total number of nodes (16.1) per explant were observed. All
(100%) of the regenerated shoots were rooted and acclimatized, with a
survival rate of 96% when transferred to ex vitro conditions and no
morphological abnormalities
Consumer preferences for the quality characteristics of sorghum grain in Eastern Uganda: A choice experiment approach
Full text linkSorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) is an important staple food crop for
millions of food insecure people in the Semi-Arid Tropics. However, the
crop has not been fully exploited due to undesirable consumer
characteristics. The objective of this study was to identify quality
characteristics that consumers of sorghum prefer so as to increase its
consumption in Uganda. Quality in this study was evaluated based on
four sensory characteristics of atapa (atapa is a local name for
sorghum paste in Eastern Uganda): colour, aroma, taste and texture; and
grain size. A choice experiment was conducted to analyse consumer
preferences for quality characteristics of atapa. The discrete choices
obtained from the choice experiment were analysed using Mixed Logit
models fitted in preference- and willingness to pay-space. Results
revealed that sweet taste, good aroma, elastic texture and big grain
size had positive effects on the consumer preference. In terms of
magnitude, sweet taste had the largest effect on consumer preference
followed by aroma. Grain size was important because consumers believed
that the bigger the size, the more the flour that would be obtained
after milling. None of the colours was found to be important; instead
respondents associate the existing colours of different varieties with
their known texture, taste and aroma. There were also significant
positive implicit prices for the preferred (non-colour) attributes,
implying that consumers were willing to pay a price premium for sweet
taste, good aroma, elastic texture and big grain size. The highest
premium would be paid for sweet taste (US 0.39). We also evaluated five hypothetical varieties (1, 2, 3, 4
and 5) based on the implicit prices of the individual attributes that
constitute the varieties. We found out that varieties with a good
taste, good aroma, elastic texture and big grain size had larger total
willingness to pay values than those missing any of these attributes.
We conclude that sweet taste and aroma and elastic texture are the most
important quality attributes of atapa. Thus, we recommend to sorghum
breeders to consider these quality attributes in their breeding
programmes if consumption of sorghum-based foods is to increase.Le sorgho ( Sorghum bicolor ) est une culture vivri\ue8re de base
importante pour des millions de personnes en situation
d\u2019ins\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire dans les r\ue9gions
tropicales semi-arides. Cependant, la culture n\u2019a pas
\ue9t\ue9 pleinement exploit\ue9e en raison de
caract\ue9ristiques ind\ue9sirables des consommateurs de sorgho.
L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019identifier les
caract\ue9ristiques de qualit\ue9 que les consommateurs de sorgho
pr\ue9f\ue8rent afin d\u2019augmenter sa consommation en Ouganda.
La qualit\ue9 dans cette \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9e
sur la base de quatre caract\ue9ristiques sensorielles de
l\u2019atapa (atapa est un nom local pour la p\ue2te de sorgho dans
l\u2019Est de l\u2019Ouganda)\ua0: la couleur, l\u2019ar\uf4me,
le go\ufbt et la texture\ua0; et la taille des grains. Une
exp\ue9rience de choix a \ue9t\ue9 men\ue9e pour analyser les
pr\ue9f\ue9rences des consommateurs pour les caract\ue9ristiques
de qualit\ue9 de l\u2019atapa. Les choix discrets obtenus \ue0
partir de l\u2019exp\ue9rience de choix ont \ue9t\ue9
analys\ue9s \ue0 l\u2019aide de mod\ue8les logit mixtes
ajust\ue9s dans l\u2019espace de pr\ue9f\ue9rence et de
volont\ue9 de payer. Les r\ue9sultats ont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9
qu\u2019un go\ufbt sucr\ue9, un bon ar\uf4me, une texture
\ue9lastique et une grosse granulom\ue9trie avaient des effets
positifs sur la pr\ue9f\ue9rence du consommateur. En termes
d\u2019amplitude, le go\ufbt sucr\ue9 a eu le plus grand effet sur
les pr\ue9f\ue9rences des consommateurs, suivi de
l\u2019ar\uf4me. La taille des grains \ue9tait importante parce
que les consommateurs pensaient que plus la taille \ue9tait grande,
plus la farine qu\u2019on obtiendrait apr\ue8s la mouture \ue9tait
importante. Aucune des couleurs n\u2019a \ue9t\ue9 jug\ue9e
importante; au lieu de cela, les r\ue9pondants associent les couleurs
existantes des diff\ue9rentes vari\ue9t\ue9s \ue0 leur texture,
leur go\ufbt et leur ar\uf4me connus. Il y avait \ue9galement des
prix implicites positifs significatifs pour les attributs
pr\ue9f\ue9r\ue9s (non color\ue9s), impliquant que les
consommateurs \ue9taient pr\ueats \ue0 payer un prix plus
\ue9lev\ue9 pour un go\ufbt sucr\ue9, un bon ar\uf4me, une
texture \ue9lastique et une grosse granulom\ue9trie. La prime la
plus \ue9lev\ue9e serait pay\ue9e pour le go\ufbt sucr\ue9
(0,69 US) suivi d\u2019un bon ar\uf4me (0,39 US). Nous avons
\ue9galement \ue9valu\ue9 cinq vari\ue9t\ue9s
hypoth\ue9tiques (1, 2, 3, 4 et 5) sur la base des prix implicites
des attributs individuels qui constituent les vari\ue9t\ue9s. Nous
avons d\ue9couvert que les vari\ue9t\ue9s avec un bon go\ufbt,
un bon ar\uf4me, une texture \ue9lastique et une grosse taille de
grain avaient des valeurs totales de consentement \ue0 payer plus
\ue9lev\ue9es que celles qui ne manquaient aucun de ces attributs.
Nous concluons que le go\ufbt et l\u2019ar\uf4me sucr\ue9s et la
texture \ue9lastique sont les attributs de qualit\ue9 les plus
importants de l\u2019atapa. Ainsi, nous recommandons aux
s\ue9lectionneurs de sorgho de consid\ue9rer ces attributs de
qualit\ue9 dans leurs programmes de s\ue9lection si la consommation
d\u2019aliments \ue0 base de sorgho doit augmenter
CARTE DE RECOMMANDATION D\u2019ENGRAIS SPECIFIQUE AU SITE POUR LA PRODUCTION INTENSIVE DE MA\ucfS EN ZONE SUD SOUDANIENNE DU BURKINA FASO
No full textIntensification of maize (Zea mays L) production in Burkina Faso
requires adequate fertilisation on suitable soils. The objective of
this study was to develop a decision support tool for fertiliser
recommendations for maize production in the southern Sudanian zone of
Burkina Faso using the Information and Decision Support System (IDSS)
model. Data on costs per unit of fertiliser were calculated using local
market prices in Burkina Faso. The selling price of grain maize was
estimated for a period from harvest to June at US 557,322 ha-1 and US$ 898,098 ha-1 were obtained.
These maps are decision support tools for maize production and can be
used as a reference for the development and/or updating of other
fertiliser recommendation maps.L\u2019intensification de la production du ma\uefs au Burkina Faso
passe par une fertilisation ad\ue9quate sur des sols propices.
L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de d\ue9velopper
\ue0 l\u2019aide du mod\ue8le Information and Decision Support
System (IDSS), un outil d\u2019aide \ue0 la d\ue9cision en
mati\ue8re de recommandation d\u2019engrais pour la production du
ma\uefs dans la zone sud soudanienne du Burkina Faso. Les
donn\ue9es sur les co\ufbts de l\u2019unit\ue9 de fertilisant
ont \ue9t\ue9 calcul\ue9s suivant les prix du march\ue9. Le
prix de vente du ma\uefs grain a \ue9t\ue9 estim\ue9 pour une
p\ue9riode allant de la r\ue9colte au mois de juin \ue0 0,263
dollars US. Dix options de fertilisation incluant un t\ue9moin et la
recommandation vulgaris\ue9e ont \ue9t\ue9 test\ue9es sur la
vari\ue9t\ue9 Massongo de ma\uefs. Les r\ue9sultats ont
montr\ue9 que les doses 80N-30P-40K, 120N-30P-40K, 60N-10P-12K (dose
vulgaris\ue9e) et t\ue9moin sans engrais ont \ue9t\ue9
efficientes selon les caract\ue9ristiques des sols.
L\u2019application des doses efficientes d\u2019engrais a permis de
faire passer la superficie couverte par des rendements grains
sup\ue9rieurs \ue0 3 000 kg ha-1 de 39,23% des unit\ue9s de sols
avec la dose vulgaris\ue9e \ue0 62,33%. Aussi, des rendements
compris entre 3 144 et 4 630 kg ha-1 avec des marges brutes comprises
entre 557,322 dollars US par ha-1 et 898,098 dollars US par ha-1
ont-ils \ue9t\ue9 obtenu. Ces cartes constituent des outils
d\u2019aide \ue0 la d\ue9cision pour la production du ma\uefs.
Elles peuvent servir de r\ue9f\ue9rence pour
l\u2019\ue9laboration et/ou la mise \ue0 jour d\u2019autres
cartes de recommandation d\u2019engrais
Edaphic fauna and its relations with chemical, physical and microbiological attributes in Araucaria forest
No full textA permanente cobertura vegetal do solo, em Florestas de Arauc\ue1ria,
contribui na conserva\ue7\ue3o de sua biodiversidade ed\ue1fica.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial da fauna ed\ue1fica
e das vari\ue1veis ambientais explicativas (f\uedsico-qu\uedmicas
e microbiol\uf3gicas do solo) na discrimina\ue7\ue3o de florestas
com arauc\ue1ria nativa e reflorestada. Avaliaram-se florestas com
<taxon genus="Araucaria" species="angustifolia" sub-prefix=""
sub-species=""><sp>Araucaria</sp>
<sp>angustifolia</sp></taxon> nativa (NF) e
reflorestada (RF) em tr\ueas regi\uf5es distintas no estado de
S\ue3o Paulo, representando tr\ueas repeti\ue7\uf5es. Em cada
\ue1rea, 15 amostras de solo foram coletadas para avalia\ue7\ue3o
dos atributos f\uedsicos, qu\uedmicos e microbiol\uf3gicos e, nos
mesmos pontos, procedeu-se \ue0s coletas da fauna utilizando-se o
m\ue9todo de armadilhas de queda (Pitfall traps). A fauna do solo foi
influenciada pela sazonalidade, apresentando maior abund\ue2ncia de
indiv\uedduos no ver\ue3o. Os grupos Collembola, Formicidae e
Coleoptera foram os mais abundantes, independentemente da \ue9poca de
amostragem e tipo de floresta. A An\ue1lise de Componentes Principais
(ACP) e An\ue1lise Can\uf4nica Discriminante (ACD) claramente
diferenciaram as \ue1reas de arauc\ue1rias. Na ACP, Hemiptera,
Collembola e Diplopoda ficaram associados \ue0 RF no inverno,
principalmente pelos maiores valores de mat\ue9ria seca da
serapilheira. J\ue1 em NF, foram os grupos Orthoptera, Hymenoptera,
Araneae e Coleoptera, explicados pela melhor qualidade do solo e da
serapilheira. No ver\ue3o, ficaram associados \ue0 NF, os grupos
Formicidae, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, Araneae, Coleoptera e Collembola,
explicados pelos maiores valores de CBM, Ca, P, C-org, macroporosidade
e atividade de desidrogenase. Na ACD, a abund\ue2ncia de grupos
taxon\uf4micos foi o atributo da fauna ed\ue1fica mais importante
para a discrimina\ue7\ue3o das florestas. Da mesma forma, a umidade
do solo, teor de P no solo, porosidade total e teor de S na
serapilheira contribu\uedram na discrimina\ue7\ue3o das
florestas. A semelhan\ue7a entre as \ue1reas, em rela\ue7\ue3o
aos grupos da fauna ed\ue1fica, indica que est\ue1 ocorrendo uma
estabilidade das \ue1reas reflorestadas compar\ue1vel \ue0s
nativas.The permanent plant cover of the soil, in <taxon genus="Araucaria"
species="" sub-prefix=""
sub-species=""><sp>Araucaria</sp></taxon> forests,
contributes to the conservation of the soil biodiversity. The aim of
this study was to evaluate the potential of the soil fauna in
discriminating native and reforested Araucaria forests. Native (NF) and
reforested (RF) <taxon genus="Araucaria" species="angustifolia"
sub-prefix="" sub-species=""><sp>Araucaria</sp>
<sp>angustifolia</sp></taxon> forests were evaluated
in three regions of the state of S\ue3o Paulo, representing three
true replicates. In each area, fifteen soil samples were collected for
the evaluation of the physical, chemical, and microbiological
attributes and at the same points, the fauna was collected, using
pitfall traps. The soil fauna was influenced by seasonality, presenting
greater abundance of individuals in the summer. Collembola, Formicidae
and Coleoptera groups were the most abundant ones, independently of the
sampling season and the forest type. The Principal Component Analysis
(PCA) and Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) clearly differentiated
native or reforested Araucaria areas. In PCA, Hemiptera, Collembola and
Diplopoda were associated with RF in the winter, mainly due to the
higher litter dry mass values. In NF, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Araneae
and Coleoptera groups were explained by the higher quality of soil and
litter, which was associated with NF. In summer, the groups Hemiptera,
Orthoptera, Araneae, Coleoptera and Collembola, associated with NF,
were explained by the higher values of microbial biomass carbon, Ca, P,
organic carbon, macroporosity and dehydrogenase activity. In the CDA,
the abundance of taxonomic groups was the most important attribute of
the soil fauna for the discrimination of the forests. Likewise, soil
moisture, soil P content, total porosity, and sulfur content of the
surface litter contributed to discrimination between forests. There was
some similarity between areas regarding certain groups of soil fauna,
which we suggest being a result of the stability reached by the
reforested areas, rendering them somewhat similar to the native ones
Evaluation of the efficiency of eucalyptus clones in commercial scale: an approach using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)
No full textO presente artigo refere-se \ue0 utiliza\ue7\ue3o da metodologia
de an\ue1lise de envolt\uf3ria de dados (DEA) para determinar e
comparar a efici\ueancia t\ue9cnica de clones de eucalipto dos
g\ueaneros Eucaliptus urophylla e Eucaliptus grandis , em escala
comercial, produzidos no per\uedodo de 2016 e 2017 e com idades de
corte entre 5 e 7 anos. O plantio desses clones ocorreu em locais com
solos arenosos, clima quente e temperado, destinados \ue0
produ\ue7\ue3o de celulose e papel, pertencentes a uma empresa
situada no interior do estado de S\ue3o Paulo. Este estudo visa
identificar quais clones apresentam ou n\ue3o melhorias de
efici\ueancia t\ue9cnica relacionadas a sua idade de corte, podendo
auxiliar na tomada de decis\ue3o das melhores idades de corte e
tamb\ue9m quais clones dever\ue3o ser exclu\ueddos ou mantidos
nos pr\uf3ximos ciclos produtivos. O c\ue1lculo da efici\ueancia
t\ue9cnica e de seus valores atuais, folgas, alvos e benchmarks ao
longo dos anos s\ue3o determinados atrav\ue9s das vari\ue1veis
custo total; volume individual e volume produzido, sendo utilizado o
modelo DEA BCC-O, em fun\ue7\ue3o da exist\ueancia de pouca
proporcionalidade de alguns pares input-output. Os clones CL02, CL03,
CL05 e CL08 mostraram-se eficientes em ambas as idades de corte,
caracterizando-os como poss\uedveis benchmarks para os clones
ineficientes. J\ue1 o clone CL04 foi o \ufanico cuja
elimina\ue7\ue3o da lista de clones a serem utilizados nos
pr\uf3ximos ciclos de plantio foi sugerida, apresentando
diminui\ue7\ue3o de seu volume individual e densidade b\ue1sica,
quando ocorre o aumento de sua idade de corte. Conclui-se que a
metodologia DEA \ue9 uma op\ue7\ue3o para o aux\uedlio da
tomada de decis\ue3o de quais clones de eucalipto devem ser
utilizados, reduzidos e/ou eliminados de seu pr\uf3ximo ciclo,
determinando quais s\ue3o mais eficientes, verificando sua
evolu\ue7\ue3o em rela\ue7\ue3o a sua idade de corte.This study aims to identify which clones present technical efficiency
improvements regarding their cutting age, helping the decision-making
as to their best cutting ages and which clones shall be either excluded
or maintained in the next production cycles. The data envelopment
analysis (DEA) methodology is discussed to determine and to compare the
technical efficiency of eucalyptus clones of the genuses Eucaplyptus
urophylla and Eucalyptus grandis in commercial scale. They were
produced between 2016 and 2017, with cutting ages equal to five and
seven years. Their plantation occurred in areas of sandy soils, and
warm, temperate climate in order to produce cellulose and paper. The
plantation belongs to a company located in the state of S\ue3o Paulo.
The calculation of the technical efficiency and its current values,
clearances, targets and benchmarks throughout the years are determined
by the variables total cost, individual volume, and produced volume.
The DEA BCC-O model was employed due to the little proportionality of
some input-output pairs. Clones CL02, CL03, CL05, and CL08 seemed to be
efficient in both cutting ages. This indicated that they were likely
benchmarks for the inefficient clones. However, clone CL04 was the only
one which exclusion of the clone list to be used in the next plantation
cycles was suggested since it presented a reduction in its individual
volume and basic density, when an improvement in its cutting age
occurs. We concluded that the DEA methodology is a good choice for
helping the decision-making regarding which eucalyptus clones shall be
used, reduced, and/or eliminated from the next cycle, determining which
ones are the most efficient ones, verifying their evolution about their
cutting ages
Mathematical modelling of the intra-annual behaviour of NDVI in the Caatinga Biome, Brazil
No full textOs \uedndices de vegeta\ue7\ue3o obtidos por modelos, aplicados
em imagens orbitais, s\ue3o comumente utilizados para o monitoramento
da cobertura do solo, sendo importantes para registrar
altera\ue7\uf5es na biomassa, identifica\ue7\ue3o do ciclo
fenol\uf3gico, rela\ue7\ue3o com o sequestro de carbono e
indicadores de mudan\ue7as clim\ue1ticas. Na regi\ue3o do bioma
Caatinga, a compreens\ue3o em escalas local e di\ue1ria dos
fen\uf4menos que ocorrem na cobertura do solo \ue9 muito importante
devido \ue0 sua heterogeneidade, sazonalidades e \ue0s
m\ufaltiplas a\ue7\uf5es humanas. Neste ambiente, cresce a
import\ue2ncia da representa\ue7\ue3o temporal e espacial. Os
sat\ue9lites da s\ue9rie Landsat apresentam caracter\uedsticas
adequadas para representar as varia\ue7\uf5es espaciais, mas
t\ueam uma baixa amostragem temporal. Nesse sentido, o presente
estudo tem como objetivo melhorar a representa\ue7\ue3o temporal
dos dados capturados pelos sat\ue9lites Landsat para uma regi\ue3o
do bioma Caatinga. Fun\ue7\uf5es de tr\ueas par\ue2metros
s\ue3o avaliadas para representa\ue7\ue3o temporal
matem\ue1tica do \ucdndice de Vegeta\ue7\ue3o por
Diferen\ue7a Normalizada (NDVI), tendo a sua avalia\ue7\ue3o de
desempenho realizada a partir dos par\ue2metros estat\uedsticos
qui-quadrado reduzido (\u3c72) e coeficiente de determina\ue7\ue3o
(R2). A an\ue1lise considera o estado de altera\ue7\ue3o da
cobertura do solo pela a\ue7\ue3o antr\uf3pica e o regime
pluviom\ue9trico anual. A fun\ue7\ue3o Cauchy apresentou melhor
desempenho, ajustando-se bem a 83% dos anos e locais analisados,
obtendo um R2 m\ue9dio de 0,82. Os par\ue2metros da
fun\ue7\ue3o de melhor desempenho identificada neste estudo podem
ser uma valiosa fonte de informa\ue7\uf5es para estudos ambientais
na Caatinga que precisem avaliar o comportamento temporal da
vegeta\ue7\ue3o.Vegetation indexes from remote sensing images are often used for
land-cover monitoring and identification of biomass changes. They are
also very useful to describe the relationships between the phenological
cycle and the carbon sequestration, which are climate change
indicators. The Caatinga land-cover is very heterogeneous, making hard
the understanding of the land cover processes in different scales
(spatial and temporal), due to seasonalities and human actions. The
Landsat series products usually can describe spatial land-cover
variations, with a low temporal scale, so far. This study aims to
improve the temporal representation of the land cover by Landsat images
for a Caatinga area. This article presents an evaluation, using a
mathematical approach of three-parameter functions to describe the
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Each function
performance was evaluated by the reduced chi-square (\u3c72) and
determination coefficient (R2) parameters. The analysis is performed
for an annual period and considers land-cover changes by anthropic
action. The Cauchy function seems the best option and presented an
adjust up to 83% of the total (years and places), with an R2 (average)
of 0.82. The parameters of this function can be a valuable source for
environmental studies in the Caatinga biome, supporting temporal
analysis of the vegetation
Seed harvest moment of Albizia hasslerii (Chod.) Burkart seeds according to fruit color
No full textO objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a cor do fruto de Albizia
hasslerii que corresponde a sementes com maior potencial
fisiol\uf3gico. Os frutos foram colhidos em diferentes est\ue1dios
de matura\ue7\ue3o para a realiza\ue7\ue3o das an\ue1lises,
sendo classificados visualmente em quatro cores: 100% verde
(est\ue1dio 1), 64 50% marrom (est\ue1dio 2), entre 50% e
99,9% marrom (est\ue1dio 3) e 100% marrom (est\ue1dio 4).
Posteriormente, procedeu-se a mensura\ue7\ue3o dos atributos
biom\ue9tricos das sementes, e simultaneamente, Risssos testes de
germina\ue7\ue3o e vigor foram instalados. Para verificar a
rela\ue7\ue3o da matura\ue7\ue3o de frutos com a biometria e o
potencial fisiol\uf3gico de sementes, determinou-se o coeficiente de
correla\ue7\ue3o de Spearman (\u3c1). O delineamento utilizado foi
inteiramente casualizado, sendo os resultados submetidos \ue0
an\ue1lise de vari\ue2ncia, e as m\ue9dias comparadas pelo teste
de Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade. As sementes provenientes dos frutos
que se encontravam nos est\ue1dios 3 e 4, manifestaram maior
germina\ue7\ue3o e emerg\ueancia, menores m\ue9dias de teor de
\ue1gua e maior mat\ue9ria seca, sendo esses indicadores do melhor
momento de colheita de frutos. J\ue1 as sementes obtidas de frutos
verdes apresentaram baixa germina\ue7\ue3o e vigor, alto teor de
\ue1gua e menor mat\ue9ria seca. Conclui-se que as sementes com
alto potencial fisiol\uf3gico est\ue3o em frutos com cor 100%
marrom, por\ue9m a partir de 50% de cor marrom j\ue1 podem ser
colhidos. Portanto, a cor dos frutos \ue9 considerada um indicador de
maturidade fisiol\uf3gica para a esp\ue9cie Albizia hasslerii.The objective of this study was to identify the color of Albizia
hasslerii fruit that corresponds to seeds with high physiological
potential. Fruits were harvested at different ripening stages for the
analysis and were visually classified into four stages according to
epicarp color: 100% green (stage 1), 64 50% brown (stage 2),
between 50% and 99.9% brown (stage 3) and 100% brown (stage 4).
Subsequently, we quantified seed biometric attributes and proceeded to
install the germination and vigor tests. To verify the relationship
between fruit maturation with seed biometrics and the physiological
potential, we calculated the Spearman correlation coefficient (\u3c1).
The design was a completely randomized, and the results were submitted
to analysis of variance with means compared by Tukey test at 5%
probability. The seeds from the fruits classified as stages 3 and 4
showed greater germination and emergence, lower averages of water
content and higher dry biomass, being those indicators of the best time
for the fruit harvest. The seeds from green fruits presented low
germination and vigor, high water content and lower dry biomass. It was
concluded that seeds with high physiological potential are from fruits
with 100% brown color. However, fruits showing 50% brown color can
already be harvested. Therefore, fruit color is considered an indicator
of physiological maturity for Albizia hassleri
Impacts Assessment of Coastal Activities on Water Quality of Upper Segment of Qua Iboe River, Akwa Ibom State, South-South, Nigeria
Full text linkA study was carried out at the supper segment of Qua Iboe River from
November, 2018 to August, 2019 in four sampling stations to assess the
impacts of coastal activities on water quality. Water samples were
collected monthly and analyzed using standard procedures of
Associations of Official Analytical Chemist and American Public Health
Association. The stations comparisons and location of significant
differences were carried out using ANOVA and Least Significant
Difference (LSD) test, while paired sample t-test were employed to
compare the seasonal difference. The mean ranged values of water
temperature were (25.03 \u2013 25.330C), pH (5.8 \u2013 6.6 mg/l),
DO(3.11 - 5.45 mg/l), TDS (18.63 \u2013 32.53mg/l), EC
(8.33-13.16\u3bcs/cm), Turbidity (7.61 \u2013 18.32 NTU), TSS (90.80
- 165.63 mg/L), NO3-1 (33.02 \u2013 78.33mg/l), P043-(4.44 \u2013
7.39mg/l), Cl-(43.60 \u2013 63.21mg/l), COD(35.96 \u2013 113.05mg/l),
NH3(0.33 \u2013 0.62 mg/l). Mean values of TSS, EC, TSS, NO3, PO43-,
NH3 and turbidity were higher in wet season, while water temperature,
pH, DO, Cl- and COD values obtained were higher in dry season. Spatial
variations in parameters were ascribed to levels of anthropogenic
activities and wastes discharged within the stations; the seasonal
variations were emanated from influx of wastes, and dilution as result
of surface run-offs during wet season. Based on the findings, the WQI
values were poor for human consumption; especially from station 2 to
4.These calls for urgent attention by Federal / State Ministry Health
and Environment regards to its effects on human health and consistent
water quality monitoring should be put into consideration
Microbial Indoor Air Quality in a Secondary School in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, Nigeria
Full text linkThe microbial air quality of a Secondary School in Port Harcourt was
investigated between 9-9:30am and 2-2:30am employing plate exposure and
count method for bacteria and fungi estimation. Results obtained from
the study showed that bacteria counts from the school for morning
session ranged from 4.8 x 103 cfu/m3 (Library) to 4.07 x 104 cfu/m3
(Staffroom) and for the afternoon 9.8 x 103 cfu/m3 (Library) to 4.66 x
104 cfu/m3 (SS1A Classroom). Fungal counts ranged from 5.68 x 103
cfu/m3 (Library) to 2.07 x 104 cfu/m3 (SS3B Classroom) for the morning
sessions and 6.56 x 103 cfu/m3 (Library) to 2.59 x 104 cfu/m3 (SS3B
Classroom) for the afternoon session. Seven bacterial species, Bacillus
spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichia coli , Micrococcus spp.,
Pseudomonas spp. Staphylococcus aureus and Serratia spp and six
fungal species, Alternaria spp., Aspergillus niger , Candida spp.,
Mucor spp., Penicillium spp., and Rhizopus spp were isolated. The
bioaerosol concentrations were higher than recommended limit regardless
of the sampling sessions. The high microbial counts and identified
bacterial and fungal species may pose a serious problem to learning