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ABSTRACT The profile of bioactive compounds in coffee brews depends on the coffee bean species and varieties, harvesting and post-harvesting practices, roasting processes, and also on the brewing method. The present research aimed to study the contents of cafestol and kahweol - coffee diterpenes with a known impact on human health - comparing coffee beverages prepared using common brewing methods (filtered, espresso, and instant coffee brews). Filtered (cloth-filtered and paper-filtered), espresso and instant brews were obtained from a medium-roasted Coffea arabica coffee (NY 2). Five genuine replicates of each coffee brew were prepared, and the extracts were lyophilized. A validated UPLC-based method provided the content of diterpenes. The results were reported in mg of diterpene per g of solids or per a standard dose of 50 mL of coffee brew. Solids content of coffee brews ranged from 2.06 to 2.46 g 100 mL-1. All coffee brews presented low diterpene contents: 0.05 to 0.16 mg of kahweol and 0.11 to 0.14 mg of cafestol 50 mL-1. Instant coffee brew showed the lowest content of kahweol and absence of cafestol; this reduction was related to the production process of soluble coffee. Diterpenes content was similar in espresso and paper-filtered brews. The cloth-filtered coffee had lower solids content, but higher levels of diterpenes (in mg g-1 of solids). Similar cafestol and kahweol contents (mg 50 mL-1) were observed in filtered and espresso brews.

The Institut Français de la Vigne et du Vin and INRAE have worked with the companies OPTIMA Concept and Berthoud to develop a high-precision digitally controlled sprayer that automatically adjusts the volume of spray delivered by each nozzle according to geo-referenced guidance maps. This paper describes the technical characteristics and performance of the solutions studied, and outlines the prospects for deploying these technologies in viticulture.

ABSTRACT In order to realise automatic row alignment for sugar beet harvesting, and to improve the efficiency of sugar beet combine harvesters, it is essential to be able to detect the positions of sugar beet rows. In this paper, we consider beet harvesting as a scenario, and an extraction algorithm for beet crop rows is proposed based on videos of beets collected with a monocular camera. We focus on the characteristics of the root and stem features, which are relatively difficult to distinguish from the surrounding environment after cutting the tops and beating the leaves of sugar beet, and a crop row extraction algorithm is designed in which threshold segmentation is carried out based on histogram equalisation and MM-Filter (median filtering and minimum area filtering) is applied to remove noise. The proposed algorithm retains more complete feature information and has better denoising effect than the traditional algorithm, and the processing time is only 11.751 ms, a value 6.9% lower than for the alternative approach. Our algorithm is feasible in terms of recognition and extraction, and can provide a theoretical basis for the construction of an automatic row-to-row control system for a sugar beet combine harvester. It can also provide technical support for the design of an automatic sugar beet combine harvester.

ABSTRACT Fertilization at the large bell stage of maize is the key to increasing maize yield and improving fertilizer use efficiency. To achieve fast and accurate recognition of maize stems by intelligent agricultural equipment in complex field environments, an improved YOLO v4 maize stem recognition model with an increased CBAM, which can achieve real-time identification and positioning of maize stems, is proposed. In this paper, first, we collected images of maize stems under different conditions in the field, expanded the maize stem images and produced a maize stem image dataset by adding Gaussian noise, changing the brightness and performing other data enhancement methods, and manually annotated the maize stem via LabelImg software. Second, a convolutional block attention module (CBAM) and SIoU loss function were added to the original YOLO v4 target detection network to obtain the CB-YOLO v4 target detection network. Last, this network was compared with the original YOLO v4, Faster-RCNN, SSD and YOLO v3 target detection networks, and it achieved 93.1%, 92.4% and 92.6% precision, recall and mAP (mean average precision), respectively, for maize root recognition, which is significantly better than the other algorithms and is suitable for practical maize interrow operation systems.

Background. Mangrove ecosystems in oil-producing areas in the south of Veracruz, Mexico are permanently threatened by oil spill contamination. In this context, Rhizophora mangle and the microbiota associated with its rhizosphere have adapted over time to processes of bioremediation and natural attenuation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Objective. To evaluate the hydrocarbonoclastic potential of filamentous fungi isolated from the rhizosphere of R. mangle present in a hydrocarbon-contaminated site in Veracruz. Methodology. A rhizosphere sample was characterized physicochemically and total petroleum hydrocarbons were quantified. Fungal strains with hydrocarbonoclastic capacity were isolated in Noble agar medium, salts, and paper impregnated with Maya crude oil. The strains were identified by cell morphology and rDNA ITS region sequencing, and the sequences were used to construct a phylogenetic tree using the maximum likelihood method. A liquid culture was developed in a mineral medium added with petroleum for 30 days and the saturated, polar, and aromatic fractions were quantified to determine the percentage of biodegradation. Results. Six strains of hydrocarbonoclastic fungi were isolated and identified in R. mangle rhizosphere contaminated with 109 916.5 mg kg-1 of TPHs. Of these strains, Aspergillus niger and A. flavus showed the highest hydrocarbon biodegradation with 30.5 and 26.1%, respectively. The highest biodegradation of the saturated fraction was observed with A. niger, A. flavus, and A. egyptiacus; Fusarium oxysporum and A. niger preferred the polar fraction, while A. niger and A. flavus assimilated more of the aromatic fraction. Implications. These hydrocarbonoclastic strains may be potentially used in restoration strategies for hydrocarbon-contaminated mangroves. Conclusion. The microorganisms associated with contaminated mangroves are part of the natural attenuation of the studied site and may be useful for the treatment of sites affected by petroleum spills. Antecedentes. Los ecosistemas de manglar presentes en zonas petroleras del sur de Veracruz, México, se encuentran permanentemente amenazados por la contaminación por derrames de hidrocarburos. En este sentido, Rhizophora mangle y su microbiota asociada a la rizosfera se han adaptado a través del tiempo a procesos de biorremediación y atenuación natural de hidrocarburos del petróleo. Objetivo. Evaluar el potencial hidrocarbonoclasta de hongos filamentosos aislados de la rizosfera de R. mangle presentes en un sitio contaminado con hidrocarburos de Veracruz. Metodología: Se caracterizó fisicoquímicamente una muestra compuesta de rizosfera y se cuantificaron los hidrocarburos totales del petróleo. Se aislaron cepas fúngicas con capacidad hidrocarbonoclasta en medio agar noble, sales y con papel impregnado de petróleo crudo Maya. Las cepas fueron identificadas por morfología celular y por secuenciación de la región ITS del ADNr, se realizó un árbol filogenético con las secuencias por el método de máxima verosimilitud. Se realizó cultivo líquido en medio mineral adicionado con petróleo durante 30 días, se cuantificaron la fracción saturada, polar y de aromáticos determinando los porcentajes de biodegradación. Resultados: Se aislaron e identificaron seis cepas de hongos hidrocarbonoclastas a partir de rizosfera de R. mangle contaminado con 109 916.5 mg kg-1 de HTP, de las cuales Aspergillus niger y A. flavus fueron los que presentaron una mayor biodegradación de hidrocarburos con un 30.5 y 26.1%, respectivamente. La mayor biodegradación de la fracción saturada fue con A. niger, A. flavus y A. egyptiacus; Fusarium oxysporum y A. niger prefirieron mejor la fracción polar; mientras que A. niger y A. flavus asimilaron más la fracción de aromáticos. Implicaciones Estas cepas hidrocarbonoclastas pueden tener un potencial para utilizarse en estrategias de restauración de manglares contaminados con hidrocarburos. Conclusión Los microorganismos asociados al manglar contaminado forman parte de la atenuación natural del sitio estudiado y podrían ser útiles en el tratamiento de sitios impactados por derrames de petróleo.

The redlegged ham beetle (Necrobia rufipes) is a predaceous beetle that feeds on a variety of decaying organic matter, especially matter with high protein and fat content such as dead vertebrate animals, and some of plant origin, such as copra, nuts, and palm kernels. The redlegged ham beetle is of economic importance as a pest of stored products and has relevance to forensic entomology. Other common names include the ham beetle, the copra beetle or bug, and the “paper worm.”

Background. Moorlands are strategic ecosystems that provide regulation and provision of water, and that face serious effects due to agricultural activities. Productive reconversion (PR) is a mixed environmental, and economic strategy for managing change in agricultural systems towards sustainable agroecological models. Objective. To investigate the factors that favor and prevent the implementation of PR. Methodology. The paper analyzed 26 variables of the productive (14), socioeconomic (6) and environmental (6) dimensions of 172 producers of long onion and potato growers in the Tota lake basin, Tota-Bijagual-Mamapacha moorland, Colombia. Results. It was found that 44% of the variables are identified in favor and the remaining 56% against the PR, highlighting the advances in training, social organization, environmental awareness and disposition of the producers for the PR, but being forced to continue the activity due to the economic profitability. Implication. The economic profitability is against sustainability, it is related to the implementation of harmful practices such as the indiscriminate, inefficient, unplanned use of agro-inputs for fertilization and pest and disease management, with highly toxic pesticides, composting without maturity, which affect both human and ecosystem health. Conclusion. The main challenges are from the productive dimension, in which strategies are consolidated aimed at promoting: a) the adequate selection of quality seed, b) better soil management, c) the management of pests and diseases based on phytosanitary plans that integrate monitoring traps, preventive actions, and restrict the use of agro-inputs of chemical synthesis and d) promote the efficient use of water resources based on the strengthening of participatory agroclimatic monitoring networks.

ABSTRACT: This paper shows how to apply the lattice package of R to create effective scientific graphs. The readers will learn basic notions of the package and ways to work with it in an easy way. The R code the paper provides will help them create various graphs, including a scatter plot, a box plot, a density plot, and a bar plot; with a little work, the code can be changed to make other graphs. The paper emphasizes the trellis display, a useful but still undervalued technique in scientific visualization.

This paper is a part of the EDIS series “Economic Value of Florida Water Resources”. As the other papers in the series discuss, water resources provide us with a variety of goods and services (often referred to as ecosystem services). This paper discusses another ecosystem service that Florida water resources provide: water supply for households needs. In this article, we present several examples of valuing water availability found in literature and focused on Florida and other regions.

On December 16, 2019 all commercial motor vehicles (CMV) are mandated to carry ELDs (FMSCA, 2017a). These ELDs will replace paper logs and attach to the trucks’ engines. There, they easily record idle time, driving time, miles driven, vehicle movement, and off and on-duty time; making it easier for law enforcement to check if drivers are compliant with Hours of Service (HOS) rules. Paper logs are easily manipulated and it’s an open secret that drivers may have two types of paper logs: one for law enforcement and another for their records. The Mandate is the DOT’s latest attempt to improve road safety by ensuring that ALL CMV drivers (including those who transport citrus and citrus products) are compliant with HOS rules. Added compliance will increase road safety but will also increase travel time which can have adverse effects for transporting fresh produce. For example, unpredictable loading and unloading times, unexpected traffic, or looking for parking are included in on-duty hours and result in delayed deliveries and increase risk of losing produce. These issues could lead to an increase in costs for long-haul trips, something essential to the citrus industry since fresh fruit and juice originate in few states (California, Florida, and Texas) and are transported regionally. This article discusses the HOS rules and exemptions, as well as the cost of transporting citrus across the country.

This paper addresses the generic question of whether a crop should be harvested after sustaining significant loss. This paper provides a citrus grower with a roadmap to determine the economic criteria for harvesting the remaining crop. Conversely, when is it in the best economic interest for a grower to abandon the remaining crop? While the hurricanes of 2004 motivated this paper, the analysis is applicable to any situation arising from natural disasters, pest infestations, or collapsing market prices.This paper addresses the generic question of whether a crop should be harvested after sustaining significant loss. This paper provides a citrus grower with a roadmap to determine the economic criteria for harvesting the remaining crop. Conversely, when is it in the best economic interest for a grower to abandon the remaining crop? While the hurricanes of 2004 motivated this paper, the analysis is applicable to any situation arising from natural disasters, pest infestations, or collapsing market prices. This document is FE624, a publication of the Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Published March 2006.

Background. The coffee processing process generates polluting solid and liquid waste. It is possible to reduce its effects through treatments that allow its use. Objective. To analyze the alternatives for the management of the effluents and residues generated in the coffee processing process to reduce its effects and to show treatments that have had positive results. Methodology. To obtain the information, specialized search engines were used in databases such as: RESEARCHGATE, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, CIRAD, CATIE, IICA, ELSEVIER, SCIENCIE DIRECT, REDALYC, SCOPUS. An exploration and analysis of 100 documents related to the following topics was carried out: 1) history of the use of effluent treatment systems in coffee processing, 2) types of treatments for the management of liquid and solid waste, 3) operation of these technologies, capacity, place where the research was carried out, variables measured, as well as the capacity of these systems. The search period was planned from 1980 to 2023. The history of the beginning of the systems for the treatment of waste generated in coffee processing was also investigated. The key words used for the search were: wet processing, wastewater, solid and liquid waste, coffee by-products, treatment systems, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total solids, turbidity, anaerobic treatments, and aerobic treatments. Approximately 100 documents were reviewed for the writing of the paper. Main findings. Research has been reported since 1980. Colombia and Mexico have focused on the development of machinery to mechanize processing operations to reduce water use, as well as anaerobic treatment systems, biodigesters and wetlands. Implications. It is necessary to know the main methods of wastewater treatment in the coffee processing process to determine the most suitable in coffee growing regions. Conclusions. Anaerobic biodigestion technology is the most used for the treatment of liquid effluents and with the best results. For the solid effluent, different alternatives are used for substrate such as the extraction of substances for industry, composting and biomaterials, among others.

Geographic information systems are used internationally to acquire information about the characteristics of the global surface and digitalize it to facilitate georeferencing, statistical analysis, virtual scenarios and mitigation of disasters. In Cuba, they are inserted in the design of Environmental Models, along with other applications. The aim of this paper was to demonstrate the potential offered by Geographic Information Systems to establish an Environmental Model in the municipality of Camaguey, based on previous studies made in other municipalities of Cuba. Moreover, the main elements supporting this study were defined. This paper also deals with the different stages of Environmental Modeling, and how the Geographic Information Systems are included, based on the views from different researchers and specialists.

To empower women in the rural sector, equitable and sustainable participation is fundamental so they become part of the several different management levels. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to explain the role of women in rural cooperatives in the province of Camaguey. The results from a qualitative and quantitative research are disclosed in this paper. They spoke for the need to keep updating the Cuban economic model, in response to the National Conference of the Communist Party of Cuba. The outcome of how much has been done in terms of women who manage cooperatives in Camaguey is presented as well.

Silverfish is a common name used to refer to many species in the order Zygentoma. The Entomological Society of America designates the term silverfish as the official common name to only one species, however: Lepisma saccharina Linnaeus. Lepisma saccharina is a pest in urban settings. It is a voracious feeder on materials high in starches, glue, and cellulose such as paper. Lepisma saccharina is a common pest in libraries and museums where paper books and labels are abundant. It can also be found outdoors under rocks, leaf litter, in caves, and in ant nests. Includes: Introduction - Distribution - Description - Life Stages and Biology - Hosts - Economic Importance - Survey and Detection - Management - Selected References. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1211 Also published at http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/URBAN/silverfish.HTM

Agricultural drought is a serious threat for those locations where one of the most important economic activities is crop production, which occurrence has been rising due to climate change. In addition, different kinds of phenomena could exacerbate agricultural drought frequency, duration, and severity. For example, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which mostly occurs in the tropical western and central pacific, directly affects the Peruvian territory. This study aims to understand ENSO's influence on agricultural drought in the Mantaro Valley, Peru since it is one of the most important agricultural lands in the country without clear scientific information linked to drought and ENSO events. For drought assessment using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration (SPEI) index and for ENSO events through a documentary and numerical analysis under Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) with information from several scientific recent papers to integrate information and formulate a clear event influence understanding. The results show that within Mantaro Valley along its four provinces and their six meteorological stations, 70% of agricultural drought events occurred when ENSO was present between 1990-2021. Also, the severity straight correlation percentage between both, ENSO and SPEI events is quite variable between 9.09%-70%. It is important to keep analyzing those stations with few data since it can provide a new scenario deportment and track new ENSO forecasting methods to rise adaptive capacity and guarantee national and international food security which has as an important supplier to the Mantaro Valley, Peru.

In Colombia, the inappropriate management of solid waste continues generating serious problems related with soil, water, and air contamination. The objective of this research was to generate an inoculum of cellulolytic bacteria and evaluate its effectiveness for the transformation of organic solid waste. The study included soil samples from five native forests and five cereal producing farms and from three compost piles. From each sample a serial dilution until 10-4 was prepared. From each soil dilution test tubes containing liquid mineral medium and a strip of filter paper were inoculated. From the filter paper strips which showed zones of degradation the microorganisms were streaked, first on Agar Nutrient and then on solid mineral medium, supplemented with cellulose. The bacteria isolates obtained were evaluated for their cellulolytic capacity and those which showed the highest capacity tested for growth compatibility. In total, 20 isolates of cellulolytic bacteria were obtained, 19 from the native forests and one from a compost pile. Not all the isolates showed equal cellulolytic capacity, 5 of them did not show a halo of hydrolysis of cellulose and in the other 15 the amplitude of the halo varied between 0.1 and 0.7cm. Based on the cellulolytic capacity and compatibility for growth the isolates 1 (Bacillus sp.), 6 (Pseudomonas sp.), and 7 (Erwinia sp.) were selected to generate the inoculum. The inoculation of the compost piles with the selected cellulolytic bacteria or with the EM® and Agroplux® microorganisms did not produce effects statistically different to those naturally produced by the native microorganisms in the composting process.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the effectiveness of using the X-ray technique to assess the viability of papaya seeds. The X-ray images were performed in eight replicates of 25 seeds, placed on transparent acrylic plates on double-sided adhesive tape, previously identified, and then submitted to radiation in X-ray equipment "HP Faxitron". After exposure to X-ray radiation, the seeds were submitted to the germination test in rolls of germitest paper and kept in a germination chamber at 20-30 °C for 30 days. Seedlings were photographed and evaluated as normal seedlings, abnormal and non-germinated seeds. Afterward, the X-ray images and the seedlings from the same seeds were visually compared, and the X-ray images clearly showed seeds with and without internal filling. All abnormal seedlings were full seeds; therefore, X-ray images were not able to separate normal and abnormal. A 100% accuracy was verified by comparing the X-ray images and their respective seedlings, full seeds originated normal or abnormal seedlings, and empty seeds corresponded to non-germinated seeds. Therefore, using X-ray images is a promising technique to identify the viability of papaya seeds. The automated analysis of X-ray images is a simple, fast, and efficient technique to provide information on seed viability and generate parameters related to their germination capacity.

Ecuador is a small Andean country located in the western hemisphere of South America. The country has 361.747hm3 annual superficial water resources; As a result, Ecuador, in the last fifteen years (2005 to 2020), has been rapidly developing hydropower projects to triple the production in this renewable source. There were eight new hydroelectric plants constructed in Ecuador among 2007 and 2015 invested close to USD 6 billion the projects. Increased the energy response with renewables; for example, in 1985, the country produced 4 TWh, in 2005-registered 7 TWh, and to 2020, 24 TWh. According to the Electricity Corporation of Ecuador in 2020 reported that generated around 80% of all electricity through hydropower; thus, the article aims to critically analyze the development of hydropower in Ecuador in recent years and establish general energy projections to 2030 to expand the fields of knowledge and perspectives. The paper methodology is quantitative, according to scientific editorial sources, articles, investigative documents, and collects data from government agencies that regulate energy development in Ecuador. It is conclusive between a projection’s calculation, Ecuador will need for the year 2030 around 43 TWh, 47 TWh, or 52 TWh to supply the energy grid, according to the scenarios proposed (low, medium, high). Although hydropower will be essential to contribute to this requirement, the country has a barrier because hydropower is very sensitive to external factors of diverse nature, generating an uncertainly future directly associated with climatic effects.

Background: Practices such as the establishment of monocultures, the use of herbicides and overgrazing in tropical cattle ranching have led to deforestation and soil degradation in extensive areas of natural vegetation, causing local and global environmental consequences. In the state of Yucatán, different actors have created initiatives to avoid these consequences through the design, dissemination and implementation of sustainable practices among cattle producers. Objective: This paper seeks to understand how the structure of institutional networks affects the dissemination of sustainable livestock practices for the management of water, soil, biodiversity, forage and animals, which favor a transition to sustainability for the livestock sector in Yucatan. As a case study, the project coordinated by the Universidad de Yucatan for the establishment of intensive silvopastoral systems (ISPS) is analyzed, particularly the scope of the project to transform the practices of livestock farmers in the state of Yucatan and the role played by institutions linked to livestock issues to promote or obstruct this transformation. Methodology: The research was carried out by means of interviews with actors identified by their position in the different institutions linked to cattle raising. The multilevel perspective (MLP) was used to classify the different actors involved in the categories of landscape, regime or niche, according to their institutional powers in cattle ranching issues. An institutional network analysis was also carried out and a computer simulation was run using a random walker to identify the most frequent routes and connections between nodes. The nodes of the network represent the institutions mentioned during the interviews. Results: Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER), Secretaría de Desarrollo Rural (SEDER), Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), Unión Ganadera Regional General de Yucatán (UGRGY), Unión Ganadera Regional del Oriente de Yucatán (UGROY) as well as The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Implications: The statistical analysis shows little communication among nodes and the paths that allow the different actors to interact generally pass through a few of them with greater centrality. Conclusion: The faculties of each institution are designed for a vertical execution of public policies that leaves many actors without the possibility of participation particularly when existing programs have a short-term vision that hinders innovation and the achievement of a specific sustainability goal.

ABSTRACT Rice pest detection technology plays a crucial role in enabling food production, ensuring ecological balance, supporting sustainable agriculture, and promoting the health of farmers. However, existing technology is faced with challenges such as low detection accuracy, high computational complexity, and large model sizes, making it unsuitable for mobile deployment. This paper presents MDP-YOLO, a lightweight rice pest detection model based on the YOLOv5s model. It includes improvements such as the use of ShuffleNetV2 as the backbone network to significantly reduce the number of parameters and complexity of the model; the introduction of GhostConv to replace redundant convolutional layers, in order to further reduce the computational complexity and size; the integration of a large-scale feature extraction layer to enhance the ability of the algorithm to detect small rice pest objects; and the use of CBAM to increase the focus on the regions of interest. Tests on collected datasets show that the modified MDP-YOLO model increases the mean average precision by 5.5% and reduces the FLOPs, parameters, and model size by 72.4%, 89.2%, and 70.1%, respectively, compared to the original YOLOv5s model. Ablation experiments indicate that MDP-YOLO gives superior detection rice pest detection performance compared to other algorithms. MDP-YOLO can effectively detect rice pests, and provides theoretical and technical support for the deployment of lightweight rice pest detection models in practical scenarios.

ABSTRACT Brazil stands as a significant economic power in agribusiness, particularly in poultry farming. Broiler chicken production has been developing and evolving in the country for many decades. From these advancements, studies have shown that lighting can be directly related to the well-being and development of the birds. Proper lighting programs can enhance the birds' production capacity while providing a pleasant quality of life. This aids in avoiding psychological disturbances caused by poor environmental conditions, such as cannibalism or skeletal malformation. In this context, this paper aims to present some historical data about Brazil and the onset of poultry farming, the relationship between poultry farming and lighting, and some concepts related to lighting.

ABSTRACT China's socialized service industry of agricultural machinery emerged as the times required, which resolved the institutional contradiction between small farm households and large-scale agriculture. However, as cross-operation harvesters are still monitored based on phone calls, the monitoring efficiency and real-time performance are relatively poor. To improve the dynamic monitoring accuracy of harvester working areas, we proposed a working progress monitoring method based on harvester traveling trajectory and header status identification. The position and gap bridge angle information of harvesters was synchronously acquired in real-time. The height of the header above ground was calculated to determine whether the harvester was harvesting on a valid trajectory. Finally, the valid trajectory of the harvester was selected for area calculation. Field experiments showed that the header heights at the working and non-working tracing points collected by the system were discretely distributed at intervals of [0m, 0.5m] and (0.5m, 2m), respectively. The working progress monitoring algorithm proposed in this paper effectively improved the monitoring accuracy of harvester working areas. The mean error between the working areas calculated with identifying the header status and the actual cultivated land area in the five test plots was 0.09 hm2, with a mean error rate of 3.10%, 8.59% lower than that without identifying the harvester header status.

ABSTRACT Pollination using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has emerged as a promising solution to the current pollination crisis. The dwindling number of natural pollinators forces the production of cutting-edge pollination technologies. This work proposes a module to optimize path planning for UAVs to travel in a minimum time. This study suggests a novel approach to maximize cross-pollination and minimize travel time with a highly efficient meta-heuristic optimization algorithm. This paper briefly describes a process we previously developed for flower insights that includes flower gender and gene identification and classification. With an insight into flowers, the proposed algorithm aims to achieve efficient and accurate pollination while minimizing energy consumption and convergence time. The Versatile Flower Pollination Algorithm’s (VFPA) approach is superior because it significantly reduces the amount of computing required while maintaining almost optimal performance. The proposed algorithm was successfully implemented to compute the distance between the male and female flowers and transfer nectar with a difference in the nectar value. The proposed approach shows promise for addressing the pollination crisis and reducing the reliance on traditional methods.

ABSTRACT The shape of a spray droplet from a flat-fan nozzle in the plant protection sector is similar to a ‘U shape’, the middle particle size being small but the diameter of both sides being too large. So, flat-fan nozzles have the defects of wide droplet size and poor uniformity of droplet size. This paper simulates and tests the impingement nozzle, based on the coupling effect of the jet and impinging stream, so as to improve the droplet size uniformity and droplet spectrum. After jet impingement, it was found that the droplet size of the spray fan surface of the impingement nozzle showed the characteristics of large, uniform and smaller sides. This was beneficial in solving the uneven distribution of droplet size distribution in the field operation of the sprayer. The droplet distribution of the impingement nozzle is more concentrated, forming a narrow droplet spectrum. The experimental results are in good agreement with the results of numerical simulations and theoretical analysis. The impingement nozzle solves the shortcomings of wider fan droplets and smaller particle size uniformity, and provides feasible technical support for developing intelligent precision spray equipment.

ABSTRACT To solve the problems of low efficiency, poor fertilizer application, and low fertilizer utilization rate of existing wheat layered fertilization devices (LFD). This paper proposed a layered fertilization mode combining shallow fertilizer application based on rotary tillage and middle/deep fertilizer application of layered fertilizer shovel (LFS), and designed a combined spatial layered fertilization device with a fixed proportion. A discrete element simulation model consisting of soil, LFS and fertilizer was established. Taking the variation coefficients of fertilization amount as the evaluation indicator and changing the sidewall deflection angle, rear inclination angle, upper channel length of LFS, a three-factor three-level quadratic rotational orthogonal experiment was carried out. The optimal parameter combination was obtained: the deflection angle was 9.5°, the inclination angle was 57°, and the channel length was 280 mm. The corresponding variation coefficients of fertilizer application depth were 4.55%, 8.44%, and 6.93% while working stably under the optimal combination, which is consistent with the simulation results. The results showed that LFD can apply fertilizer underground in three layers: 0~10, 15, and 20 cm, with the proportion of shallow, middle, and deep fertilizers being 30%, 35%, and 35%, which can meet the agronomic requirements for winter wheat growth.

ABSTRACT All horticultural regions of the world have fundamentally developed in the programmatic era through farmer impact and imaginative development practices. The methods described are used to monitor satisfaction and crop yields. Because of the quality of the soil and the nourishment of the land, their cultivation has improved and created more money. The disadvantage is that it took them a long speculation to acquire the crops, and the level of nutrition was not usually put at its obvious level. In addition, many areas were devoted to production, which required a lot of work to treat the whole area. In order to control the time and methods well, the majority of the regions switched to careful development principles with IoT structures. Growing on water is the most progressive strategy to grow natural plants, vegetables and fruits without using land. The use of Rockwool in agricultural strategies where water contamination is possible for a certain period will result in huge yields and the requirement of longer growing times will be waived. Most of the countries that have practiced smart and economic development with little external intervention. IoT sensors are used in the water cultivation development system to test the situation and quality of yields continuously. They will effectively provide information to the whole system when the water or nutrient level has dropped. In the beginning, the development of hydroponics was done horizontally in small spaces in order to maintain the water flow. Today, it is applied on a vertical structure to save space and water flows when needed. With this method, yields are likely to be achieved even more space-efficiently and with little external intervention. Vertical hydroponics performs better than previous conventional approaches; perhaps the farmers in the extension unit have considered the cost of the total layout. This evaluation paper describes the use of procedures and development of automated methods using IoT platforms. Many reference materials can be used big data.

How toxic is copper contamination of vineyard soils to the ecosystem? That is the thorny question this paper seeks to answer. Based on studies describing Cu toxicity in plants, it points out that Cu contamination of vineyard soils is generally moderate and that demonstrations of Cu ecotoxicity at plot level are rare. It stresses that Cu ecotoxicity depends above all on its bioavailability in the soil and explains why it also appears in calcareous soils. Lastly, it identifies priorities for further research in this field.

This paper discusses the implementation of cisterns for collecting non-potable water in regions with limited groundwater resources, focusing on Florida. It covers the types of cisterns, catchment systems, sizing considerations, location, sanitation, design, construction, and maintenance. By efficiently collecting rainwater, cisterns offer a sustainable solution for domestic water needs beyond human consumption, contributing to water conservation efforts in areas facing scarcity or high costs of potable water.This paper discusses the implementation of cisterns for collecting non-potable water in regions with limited groundwater resources, focusing on Florida. It covers the types of cisterns, catchment systems, sizing considerations, location, sanitation, design, construction, and maintenance. By efficiently collecting rainwater, cisterns offer a sustainable solution for domestic water needs beyond human consumption, contributing to water conservation efforts in areas facing scarcity or high costs of potable water.

The goal of this paper was to evaluate the roostertree under different amounts and periods of incorporation on yield of coriander. This paper was conducted at the experimental farm Rafael Fernandes of, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró-RN, in the period October-December 2009. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with treatments arranged in a factorial 4 x 4, with three replications, with 144 plants per plot, with the first factor consists of the amounts of roostertree (5.4, 8.8, 12.2 and 15.6 t ha-1 on a dry basis), the second by periods of soil incorporation (0, 10, 20, and 30 days before sowing - DAS). The cultivar was planted cilantro palmtrees. The characteristics evaluated were such: plant height, number of stems plant-1, yield and dry matter weight of shoots. Significant interaction between treatments was observed for the characteristic coriander yield with better agronomic performance observed in the amount of 15.6 t ha-1 roostertree applied between incorporation 30 days before sowing coriander, with an average yield of 4404 kg ha-1.

The sunflower is among the top five crops in the world for the production of edible vegetable oil. The species displays rustic behavior, with an excellent edaphic and climatic adaptability index, being able to be cultivated throughout Brazil. Seed quality is the key to increasing production and productivity in the sunflower. The objective of this work was to monitor the viability of sunflower seeds with a view to their conservation when stored in different environments and packaging. The seeds were packed in paper bags, multilayered paper, black polyethylene and PET bottles; and stored for a period of twelve months in the following environments: dry cold room (10 ºC and 55% RH), the ambient conditions of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil (30-32 ºC and 75% RH), refrigerator (4 ºC and 38-43% RH) and freezer (-20 ºC). Every three months, the water content of the seeds was determined and germination, accelerated ageing, speed of emergence index, and seedling dry weight were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a scheme of split-lots, with four replications. It can be concluded that the natural environment is not suitable for the storage of sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds remain viable for 12 months when stored in a dry cold room, refrigerator or freezer, irrespective of the type of packaging used.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is one of the oldest oilseed plants used by man, and has great economic potential due to the possibilities for its exploitation in both the domestic and international markets. The objective of this work was to monitor the viability of sesame seeds stored in different environments and packaging, with a view to their conservation. The seeds were packed into paper bags, multiwall paper, black polyethylene and PETE bottles, and stored for a period of 12 months in different environments: dry cold room (10 °C and 55% RH), natural environment (30-32 °C and 75% RH), refrigerator (4 °C and 38-43% RH) and freezer (-20 °C). Every three months the water content of the seeds was determined and germination, accelerated ageing, speed of emergence index, and seedling dry weight were evaluated. The experimental design employed was completely randomised, in a scheme of split-lots, with four replications. The results showed that sesame seeds remain viable for up to twelve months when stored in a dry cold room or refrigerator, regardless of the type of packaging used. In a natural environment, the seeds remain viable for up to six months in storage. Paper packaging is the most suitable for sesame seeds stored in a freezer for up to twelve months.

Objective: To provide an information bank on the management and benefits of silvopastoral systems to enable the creation of environmentally resilient livestock enterprises. Materials and Methods: Through a search for information, scientific papers on the impact of the conformation and management of silvopastoral systems on indicators of environmental resilience were compiled. For this purpose, Google Scholar, Springer, SciELO, Scopus, Redalyc and ScienceDirect were reviewed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established and only 63 documents were selected for inclusion in the information bank. Results: The benefits of silvopastoral systems were explained for four indicators: preservation of soil health, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, conservation of biodiversity and promotion of animal welfare. Their effect on the improvement of soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties, reduction of CO2 and CH4 emissions, generation of food resources, as well as their performance as a source of refuge for wild animals and a comfort zone and welfare for livestock were discussed. Conclusions: Silvopastoral systems promote environmental resilience, which is achieved by improving soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties, conserving biodiversity, promoting animal welfare and contributing to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Objective: To analyze the use of probiotics in animal production, their action mechanisms and beneficial effects for animal husbandry. Materials and Methods: An exhaustive bibliographic review was carried out. More than 80 publications related to the topic of probiotics in animal feeding were consulted. The scientific databases Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Latindex and SciELO were used. Searches were performed on the basis of keywords related to the topic of study. To carry out this study, the selected papers were critically analyzed and relevant data were extracted. Results: The analysis indicated that the indiscriminate use of growth-promoting antibiotics in animal husbandry induces residual microbial resistance and increases the risk of transmission of this resistance to human beings. Thus, probiotics appear as an alternative for improving animal productivity without adverse effects. They act as modulators of the intestinal biota, improve the immunological system and productive indicators and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusions: Probiotics increase animal productivity by improving the immunological system, digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as the intestinal microbiota. In addition, they decrease health problems, for which they constitute a viable alternative to improve the efficiency of animal husbandry systems in different animal species, including monogastric ones and ruminants. However, for them to become an accepted option used in animal husbandry, it is necessary to continue researching and promoting their application.

This paper aims to address the two main spheres of valuation of meat consumption in Brazil: on one hand, the socio-historical aspects and, on the other, the nutritional aspects. To this end, the authors understand the symbolic food bias and consider the relevance of historical experience in the consolidation of eating habits. This paper begins in the context of colonial Brazil, with the inclusion of discursive values related to the consumption of meat. It presents characteristics of meat consumption in Brazil, intensified with the urbanization process from the 19th century. The nutritional speech is noteworthy, developed from the 1930s in Brazil, which ensured the idea of meat as food par excellence, dividing Brazil between those who have access to that food and those who do not. It highlights the importance of meat in the Brazilian food culture, represented especially in steakhouses. It also considers the demonstrations against the consumption of meat permeated by different ideological, ethical, aesthetic and ecological spheres. It intends, therefore, to crisscross lines of these different approaches, emphasizing the different symbolisms that cover the increased meat consumption in Brazil.

Mulch materials of different origins have been introduced into the agricultural sector in recent years alternatively to the standard polyethylene due to its environmental impact. This study aimed to evaluate the multivariate response of mulch materials over three consecutive years in a processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) crop in Central Spain. Two biodegradable plastic mulches (BD1, BD2), one oxo-biodegradable material (OB), two types of paper (PP1, PP2), and one barley straw cover (BS) were compared using two control treatments (standard black polyethylene [PE] and manual weed control [MW]). A total of 17 variables relating to yield, fruit quality, and weed control were investigated. Several multivariate statistical techniques were applied, including principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis. A group of mulch materials comprised of OB and BD2 was found to be comparable to black polyethylene regarding all the variables considered. The weed control variables were found to be an important source of discrimination. The two paper mulches tested did not share the same treatment group membership in any case: PP2 presented a multivariate response more similar to the biodegradable plastics, while PP1 was more similar to BS and MW. Based on our multivariate approach, the materials OB and BD2 can be used as an effective, more environmentally friendly alternative to polyethylene mulches.

Coriander produces seeds with heteregeneous maturity range at harvest and long germination period. The priming is a technique to improve speed and uniformity of germination. Were evaluated effects on germination of seed in two trials: 1. Varying preimbibition time: 0, 5, 48 and 144 hours and 2. Type of solutions: KNO3 (0.2 %); NaCl (-1 MPa); gibberellic acid (200 mg·L-1); deionized water and witness without priming. Depending on the treatment, the seeds were imbibited on paper, at 20 °C and darkness, and then dried up to 10-11 % of moisture. Twenty days later they were sown on paper, at 20 °C with 8 hours a day of light. In both trials, four repetitions of 100 seeds were used for treatment, completely randomized design, analysis of variance and comparison of means of treatment according to Tukey (P ≤ 0.05). Every 24 hours seeds with emitted radicle were extracted. The index of germination speed (IVG), the percentage and the average time of germination (TMG) were calculated. With 48 to 144 hours of priming, the germination of the seeds began to 72 hours, with maximum rate to 120 and 96 hours respectively. The percentage of germination of 336 hours had no differences in times of hydropriming. Imbibition time of 48 hours presented the largest IVG and germinated 50 % of seeds two days in advance compared to the witness. The percentage of germination of seeds without priming had no difference with priming with KNO3 and water treatments. Gibberellic acid increases the IVG and the percentage of germination of coriander seeds. According to these results, we encourage the development of technologies of application of priming on coriander seeds to achieve greater speed and efficiency of establishment. / Resumen El coriandro produce semillas cuyo grado de madurez a cosecha es heterogéneo y presentan un prolongado período de germinación. El priming es una técnica que puede mejorar la velocidad y uniformidad de la germinación. Se evaluaron efectos de tratamientos de priming sobre la germinación de las semillas en dos ensayos. En uno se evaluaron los tiempos de preimbibición con agua 0, 5, 48 y 144 horas y en otro se evaluaron diferentes soluciones aplicadas en el priming KNO3 (0,2 %); NaCl (-1 MPa); ácido giberélico (200 mg·L-1); agua desionizada comparadas a testigo sin priming. Según tratamiento, las semillas se imbibieron sobre papel, a 20 ºC, sin luz, se secaron a 10-11 % de humedad y veinte días después fueron sembradas sobre papel, a 20 ºC con 8 horas de luz. En ambos ensayos se utilizaron cuatro repeticiones de 100 semillas por tratamiento, diseño completamente aleatorizado, análisis de la varianza y comparación de medias de tratamiento según Tukey (P ≤ 0,05). Cada 24 h se extrajeron las semillas con radícula emitida. Se calcularon: el índice de velocidad de germinación (IVG), el porcentaje y el tiempo medio de germinación (TMG). Con 48 y 144 horas de priming, la germinación de las semillas comenzó a las 72 horas, con tasa máxima a las 120 y 96 horas respectivamente. El porcentaje de germinación a las 336 horas no tuvo diferencias entre tiempos de hidropriming. El tiempo de 48 horas tuvo el mayor IVG y germinó el 50 % de las semillas viables con dos días de anticipación respecto al testigo. El porcentaje de semillas germinadas sin priming no tuvo diferencia con la obtenida mediante los tratamientos de priming con Agua y KNO3. El ácido giberélico aumenta el IVG y el porcentaje de germinación de semillas de coriandro. Los resultados obtenidos fundamentan el desarrollo de tecnologías de aplicación de priming en semillas de coriandro para lograr mayor velocidad y eficacia de implantación.

ABSTRACT The goal of this paper was to apply a method for the delineation of vegetation homogeneous zones (HZs) to map the profitability of cotton ( Gossypium sp.) using NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data from RPA imagery. Two irrigated cotton crops, at the FAU (103 ha) and FRP farms (106 ha), located in the western region of Bahia State, Brazil, were studied. The NDVI images were classified into three HZs: “high”, “medium” and “low” plant vigor; using the k-means clustering method. In each HZ the yield was measured, and the profitability estimated. In FAU we found that the lower the HZ’s NDVI values, the lower its profitability, because there was profit in the “high vigor” HZ, of US$ 829.40 ha-1, and loss in the “low vigor” HZ, of about US$ ‒1.256.09 ha-1 (‒251.44% compared with the “high vigor”). In the FRP plantation, the lower the NDVI values, the lower the loss of the plantation, as there were losses in all HZs: from “high” to “low vigor” HZ, the percentage difference in profitability was ‒343.43%. Thus, the use of a low-cost modified near-infrared Canon S100 on an RPA enabled the mapping of crop profitability, aiding the search for the factors behind yield variability.

ABSTRACT In the process of rice harvesting, the passability of the track combine harvester is often limited by the state of the soil. Meanwhile, wet and soft paddy soil is compacted under the rolling of harvesting machinery, which also affects the soil function and the ecological environment. Therefore, the relationship between the physical and mechanical properties of wet and soft paddy soil was studied in this paper. In addition, compaction from a track combine harvester on field soil with and without rice stubble was studied. The density and gradation of wet and soft paddy soil were positively correlated with cohesion and negatively correlated with the internal friction angle. In paddy soil with a moisture content of 16–36%, the soil moisture content was negatively correlated with cohesion and internal friction angle. Additionally, the plastic deformation of soil with rice stubble under compaction was greater than that without rice stubble, and the plastic deformation of the field with rice stubble mainly occurred in the second rolling stage. Increasing the speed of the track combine harvester effectively reduced the compaction risk of rice stubble soil.

In the present review, with the help of the descriptive method, some main highlights regarding the possibilities for the valorization of passion fruit waste are systematically presented. To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is still no published review in the English-language scientific literature that examines opportunities, prospects and challenges for the valorization of passion fruit waste. For the preparation of the current review, scientific publications referenced in some of the most authoritative world-renowned scientific databases were used (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar); book chapters were not included. This review does not aim to cover, compile and describe all the scientific production available under the keywords “passion fruit waste”, but aims to highlight only some major research trends regarding the possibilities of valorization of passion fruit waste. Scientific articles that remained for technical or other reasons beyond the scope of the current review paper could be included in a subsequent updated review.

There are many reports, papers, websites, videos, and other communications showing the importance of the quality of writing to publish the results of research projects on high-quality journals. However, the quality of science is not dependent only on the quality of writing. Actually, the quality of writing papers is the final issue researchers should be worried about (but it is obviously not less important). Initially, the first step to propose and carry out a relevant research, which is the basis for a good science, is dependent on the capacity of understanding what is needed for making a good science. The first tip to make good science is easy to know. Researchers should known what is not good science. On the other words, they must be sure what the difference between good science and bad science is! BELUZ (2013) listed six red flags to watch for that difference. Here, I summarized and proposed four questions to be answered: 1) Is the sample and the condition representative? You have to keep in mind the population (sampling) that is studied is not always generalizable, despite how it is framed by the writing about the study. In accordance with the idea of BELUZ (2013), findings in greenhouse conditions, for example, might suggest similar response under field conditions, but they must be proved. As well, the sample population or condition might not be representative in other ways. So any extrapolation on effects under field conditions should be read with a critical gaze. 2) How would this study square in the real world? The second question is on whether the treatment that the study looked at is consistent with the way it would exist in the real world (BELUZ 2013). If researchers test just a half-field-dose of a pesticide and the pest is not controlled, they cannot affirm that the pest is resistant. Other example of BELUZ (2013) refers to studies of pharmaceuticals, where drugs are often compared against placebo to establish that they work, but that is not necessarily a fair comparison when there are other similar treatments available and clinicians and patients want to know whether the new drug is better than the best-available drug. 3) How big is the study? Larger studies involving more people at different sites are generally better than smaller studies (BELUZ 2013). That is because big studies are usually more representative of the broader population and less influenced by extreme cases than small studies. Other point is that larger studies generally involve different research teams with high skills, knowledge, background, and wisdom (as a consequence). So, the quality of these studies is probably not questionated. 4) What about the other evidence? BELUZ (2013) explain that single studies are not the best way to tell you about what is really happening. In fact, this kind of reporting is probably misrepresentative and misleading, according to this author. A single study will not change (and never should) the ways of view the problem, but many studies, in different contexts, using different methods, on different populations, will (BELUZ 2013). The second tip to make good science is simple to understand and is related to the diversity on researcher team. According to Shankar Vendatam, as science becomes more diverse, scientific collaborators are growing more diverse, too (NPR 2014). As a consequence, the concepts, ideas, views, experiences, and much more, related to the research team, are all diverse. Due to this point, working on group, especially in research teams with high diversity, allows identifying a good scientific and relevant problem to study as well as permitting the creation of high significant hypothesis to be tested. According to Richard Freeman, ethnic diversity is an indication of ideas' diversity; people who are more alike are likely to think more alike and one of the things that gives a kick to science is that you get people with somewhat different views (NPR 2014). So, avoiding group think is essentially good for science, concluded David Greene (NPR 2014). The third tip is on choosing a good scientific problem. So, what is a good scientific problem? According to ALON (2009), a good choice means that researchers can competently discover new knowledge that they find fascinating and that allows self-expression. But, how do researchers choose one? The answer is not simple for everyone. ALON (2009) proposes that the starting point have to aim to choose a problem for scientists in order to foster growth and self-motivated research. A second point is related to the skills of the researchers and the technology of the lab, and also related to the interest in increasing the knowledge expected from the project, as describes ALON (2009). Obviously, many labs can find big scientific problems that the technology of their labs does not allow to solve them; or that even the skills of the research team is not sufficient to permit to find the solutions. Thus, the choice of a good scientific problem must be based firstly on the real capacity of both research teams and labs. Another point, according to ALON (2009), is that researchers have to consider both feasible and high interest scientific problems, likely to extend their knowledge significantly. However, this combination is also not easy to find and should be considered as a function of the life stages of the scientist. For example, a beginning graduate student needs an easy problem while a postdoc student should prefer a hard one. In any cases, feasible problems must also be interesting problems, in accordance obviously to the reality of the research team and lab. But how do researchers identify an interesting scientific problem? The answer… reading, studying, searching for general information, thinking and thinking over… discussing and reading again… and having the feeling for science! In addition, ALON (2009) proposes that when researchers consider to listen to their inner voice, they become more likely to choose problems that will satisfy them in the long term. This author also emphasizes that the inner voice can be strengthened and guided if one is lucky enough to have caring mentors. Well… but what is the essence of the inner voice? The projects that a particular researcher finds interesting are an expression of a personal filter, a way of perceiving the world (ALON 2009). This author explains that this filter is associated with a set of values: the beliefs of what is good, beautiful, and true versus what is bad, ugly, and false; our unique filter is what we bring to the table as scientists; a multiplicity in styles and questions, based on the uniqueness of scientists, is the basis of a viable and creative science. To choose a good problem, therefore, researchers need to reflect on their own world view to have the potential to achieve self-expression in science; so, when one can achieve self-expression in science, work becomes revitalizing, self-driven, and laden with personal meaning, so that it may also have a better chance of discovering something profound (ALON 2009). The fourth tip is to look for a mechanism not for a phenomenon. HENDRIX (2015) explains that a very common mistake young researchers do is to fall in love with descriptive analyses. Researchers can spend many years just by precisely describing correlations, showing fancy images of receptor expressions or dramatic morphological or biochemical changes in test and control tissues. However, whenever researchers find a causal link between two effects the quality of their study will increase, explain that author. Thus, look for a functional test which demonstrates that the effect one describes can be significantly increased or reduced by a well-defined intervention (HENDRIX 2015). Thus, researchers will just have a chance to publish a high impact paper if they have significant and relevant results to be published. In the same way, researchers will have good results just if they have a good problem to solve. The identification and the choice of a problem to be studied is the first step of planning a good research project. Thus, the quality of science and paper publication starts with the good ideas researchers have, not just on the time of writing.

Dados los efectos ambientales producto de las diferentes actividades antrópicas con fines económicos, la actividad ganadera amerita en la actualidad un nuevo enfoque productivo en el cual se revaloricen los recursos arbóreos y arbustivos como elementos fundamentales para el diseño de sistemas productivos más eficientes y sostenibles. En este documento se presentan los resultados logrados en una investigación realizada en sistemas de producción ganadera del Valle del Rio Patía del Departamento del Cauca cuyo objetivo fue el establecimiento de una línea base de especies arbóreas y arbustivas con aptitud forrajera potencialmente utilizables en sistemas de producción bovina y la instalación de un banco de germoplasma In situ. El estudio se desarrolló a partir del reconocimiento y recolección de información primaria con ayuda de los productores de la zona, seguida de la sistematización y análisis para la identificación de aquellas especies con mayor aparición y uso. Como resultado se registraron un total de 29 especies que en la actualidad están siendo utilizadas a través de diferentes arreglos en los sistemas ganaderos. A partir de la línea base establecida en este documento se proponen algunos diseños agroforestales que pueden ser implementados en los sistemas ganaderos de la zona, constituyendo de esta manera una fuente de información para la formulación de futuras propuestas de investigación relacionadas con el campo de la agroforestería en ecosistemas regionales.Tendo em conta os efeitos ambientais do produto para diferentes atividades humanas econômicas, pecuária garante hoje uma nova abordagem em que os recursos produtivos são reavaliados árvores e arbustos como elementos-chave para a concepção de sistemas de produção mais eficientes e sustentáveis. Este artigo apresenta os resultados obtidos em pesquisa realizada em sistemas de produção pecuária do rio Patía Vale do Departamento de Cauca, cujo objetivo era estabelecer uma base de espécies arbóreas e arbustivas com a utilização de fitness de forragem em sistemas pecuários e instalação de um banco de sementes no local. O estudo foi desenvolvido a partir do reconhecimento e recolha de dados primários com a ajuda de produtores na área, seguido pela sistematização e de análise para a identificação das espécies com maior ocorrência e utilização. Como resultado, registrou um total de 29 espécies que estão sendo utilizados por diferentes arranjos em sistemas pecuários. A partir da linha de base estabelecido no presente artigo propõe alguns projetos agroflorestais que podem ser implementados em sistemas de gado na área, constituindo uma fonte de informação para a formulação de propostas de pesquisas futuras relacionadas ao campo de sistemas agroflorestais os ecossistemas regionais.Given the environmental effects of the different product for economic human activities, a cattle farming today warrants a new approach in which productive resources are revalued trees and shrubs as key elements for the design of production systems more efficient and sustainable. This paper presents the results achieved in research conducted in livestock production systems of the Patía River Valley of the Cauca Department whose objective was to establish a baseline of tree and shrub species with fitness forage utilization in livestock systems and installation of a seed bank on site. The study was developed from the recognition and primary data collection with the help of producers in the area, followed by the systematization and analysis for the identification of those species with higher occurrence and use. As a result, a total of 29 species that are currently being used by different arrangements in livestock systems. From the baseline established in this paper proposes some agroforestry designs that can be implemented in livestock systems in the area, thereby constituting a source of information for the formulation of future research proposals related to the field of agroforestry in regional ecosystems.

Conceitos de qualidade cada vez mais se tornam essenciais para a sobrevivência da empresa agrícola, pois a importância do aprimoramento das operações agrícolas se faz necessária para a obtenção de resultados viáveis economicamente, ambientamente e socialmente. Uma das dimensões da qualidade é conseguir de conformidade, ou seja, a garantia de execução exata do que foi planejado para atender aos requisitos dos clientes em relação a um determinado produto ou serviço. Os objetivos deste trabalho são avaliar a distribuição longitudinal entre sementes de uma semeadora de anel interno rotativo, e propor a utilização da metodologia estatística da Média Móvel Exponencialmente Ponderada (MMEP) como alternativa para o controle de qualidade da semeadura, quando não há normalidade da distribuição dos dados. Os resultados demonstraram que a MMEP é adequada para a avaliação da qualidade da distribuição longitudinal de sementes, pois concordou com os dados apresentados na estatística descritiva, o que lhe credencia para avaliação de distribuições não normais.Quality concepts are essentials for survivor of agricultural companies, therefore, the importancy of improvement of agricultural process is necessary for to get results economically, environmentally and socially viables. One quality dimension is to get a compliance quality, ie, ensure the exact execution than was planned. The subject of this paper is evaluable at longitudinal distribution between seed of a internal ring seeder. The subject of this paper is to evaluate at longitudinal distribution between seed distributed for a internal ring seeder and to propose the use of statistical methodology exponentially weighted moving average (MMEP) like alternative for the quality control of seeders, when there is not normality in data. The results showed that the MMEP is adequate for quality evaluation of longitudinal distribution between seeds, as agreed with the data of descriptive statistic.

The objective was to evaluate the germination and sanitary quality of mucuna (Stizolobium spp.) white and black used as green manure in Quevedo, Ecuador. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Plant, Universidade Técnica Estatal de Quevedo-UTEQ. The seeds of mucuna white and black were from the experimental field in La María 2010 harvest. The work consisted of two treatments for each type of seed of mucuna (white and black), totaling four. In each Petri plates were plated five (5) seeds, ten (10) plates per treatment, totaling 50 in each. Transferred to a growth chamber (incubator) control temperature of 25°C ± 2 without photoperiod. We evaluated the physiological quality (germination for six days and rate (r) of growth of the radicle) and health (incidence of pathogens) its seeds. The germination was between 68 (BDA medium) and 40% (filter paper) for white velvet, among both black velvet, half were between 70 (BDA medium) and 34 (paper). The pathogens found in seeds of white and black velvet, were the fungi Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp., Penicillum sp., as well as an unidentified bacterium, with averages for each of 10, 29, 30 and 33% incidence, respectively.

O comportamento germinativo das sementes de diferentes espécies varia em função da temperatura e luminosidade, o que pode fornecer informações de interesse biológico, ecológico e da tecnologia de sementes, pois muito pouco se conhece com relação às exigências de sementes de espécies tropicais quanto aos diversos fatores envolvidos na germinação. O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes temperaturas e condições de luminosidade sobre a germinação e vigor das sementes de Crataeva tapia L. No Laboratório de Análise de Sementes (LAS), do Centro de Ciências Agrárias, da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (CCA - UFPB), em Areia - PB foram avaliadas a influência das temperaturas de 25 °C; 30 °C e 35 °C constantes e 20-30 °C alternada, sob regimes de luz branca (sem papel celofane), verde (com papel celofane verde), vermelha (com papel celofane vermelho), vermelha-distante (com duas folhas de papel celofane vermelho intercaladas por duas folhas azuis) e ausência de luz (com plástico preto), adotando-se o delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4 x 5 (temperaturas e regimes de luz), em quatro repetições de 25 sementes cada. As características analisadas foram: porcentagem de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, comprimento e massa seca das plântulas. A temperatura alternada de 20-30 °C, seguida da temperatura constante de 30 °C, podem ser recomendadas para testes de germinação e vigor de sementes de C. tapia. As combinações de temperatura e regimes de luz influenciam o potencial germinativo e o vigor de sementes de Crataeva tapia L.The germination behavior of seeds of different species varies on function of the temperature and luminosity, which can provide information of biological and ecological interest, and technology of seeds, because very little is known with respect to the requirements of seeds of tropical species as the various factors involved in germination. Therefore, the work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effect of different temperatures and light conditions on germination and vigor of Crataeva tapia L. seed. In the Laboratory of Seed Analysis, in the Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, located in Areia city - PB, were evaluated the influence of temperatures of 25 °C; 30 °C and 35 °C constant and 20-30 °C alternated under white light (without cellophane paper), green (with green cellophane paper), red (with red cellophane paper), far-red (with two sheets red cellophane paper interspersed for two sheets blue) and darkness (with black plastic), adopting a design entirely randomized with treatments distributed on factorial 4 x 5 (temperatures and light regimes), in four replications of 25 seeds each. Characteristics analyzed: germination percentage, germination first count and germination speed index, as well as the length and dry mass of seedlings. The seeds germinated in all light regimes, being recommended that on temperature of 20-30 °C alternate, and on temperature of 30°C. Seeds of species studied are not sensitive to different light regimes applied under different temperatures.

More attention has been paid to environmental matters in recent years, mainly due to the current scenario of accentuated environmental degradation. The economic valuation of nature goods can contribute to the decision-making process in environment management, generating a more comprehensive informational base. This paper aims to present, in a historic perspective, the different concepts attributed to nature goods and were related to the current predominant perspectives of nature analyses. For this purpose, this paper presents the different concepts attributed to value since the pre-classical period, when nature were viewed as inert and passive providers of goods and services, this view legitimized nature's exploration without concern over the preservation and conservation of nature. The capacity of nature to absorb the impact of human action appears to be reaching its limit, considering the irreversibility, the irreproducibility and the possibility of collapse. The appropriate method for valuing natural resources is not known, but more important than the method is to respect and incorporate the particular characteristics of the nature goods into this process. These characteristics must be valuated in order to arrive at a more consistence approach to nature value and promote sustainability.Nos últimos anos, mais atenção tem sido dada às questões ambientais, principalmente decorrente do atual cenário de acentuada degradação. A avaliação econômica dos recursos naturais pode contribuir com o processo de tomada de decisão na gestão ambiental, gerando uma importante base de informações. Neste artigo, buscou-se apresentar, em uma perspectiva histórica, os diferentes conceitos atribuídos ao valor dos recursos naturais e como eles se relacionam às perspectivas atuais de análise ambiental. Com essa finalidade, foram apresentados os conceitos atribuídos ao valor desde o período pré-clássico, quando a natureza era vista como fornecedora inerte e passiva de produtos e serviços, visão que legitimou sua exploração, sem considerações quanto à sua preservação e conservação. A capacidade da natureza de absorver o impacto das ações humanas parece estar chegando ao seu limite, em razão da irreversibilidade, irreprodutibilidade e possibilidade de colapso. Não se conhece um método totalmente apropriado para se avaliar os recursos naturais, porém, mais importante seria respeitar e incorporar as características particulares dos recursos naturais nesse processo. Essas características devem ser valoradas, a fim de se chegar a uma aproximação mais consistente do valor da natureza e promover a sustentabilidade.

The objective was to evaluate the germination and sanitary quality of mucuna (Stizolobium spp.) white and black used as green manure in Quevedo, Ecuador. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology and Plant, Universidade Técnica Estatal de Quevedo - UTEQ. The seeds of mucuna w hite and black were from the experimental field in La María 2010 harvest. The work consisted of two treatments for each type of seed of mucuna (white and black), totaling four. In each Petri plates were plated five (5) seeds, ten (10) plates per treatment, totaling 50 in each. Transferred to a growth chamber (incubator) control temperature of 25°C ± 2 without photoperiod. We evaluated the physiological quality (germination for six days and rate (r) of growth of the radicle) and health (incidence of pathogen s) its seeds. The germination was between 68 (BDA medium) and 40% (filter paper) for white velvet, among both black velvet, half were between 70 (BDA medium) and 34 (paper). The pathogens found in seeds of white and black velvet, were the fungi Fusarium sp ., Aspergillus sp., Penicillum sp., as well as an unidentified bacterium, with averages for each of 10, 29, 30 and 33% incidence, respectively.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar as alterações citoquímicas em sementes envelhecidas e osmocondicionadas de sorgo durante a germinação na ausência ou presença de NaCl a 100 mM. O lote inicial de sementes de sorgo cv. IPA-1011 foi subdividido em dois sublotes de diferentes níveis de vigor, através do envelhecimento acelerado da metade das sementes, sendo a metade de cada sublote também submetida ao condicionamento osmótico em polietileno glicol 6000 a -0,86 MPa por 48 horas. Posteriormente, quatro subamostras de 50 sementes de cada um desses grupos de sementes foram postas sobre duas folhas de papel de filtro, saturadas com água destilada ou NaCl a 100 mM e colocadas em caixas gerbox (11 x 11 x 3,5 cm) tampadas, as quais foram mantidas em câmara de germinação, sob escuro contínuo e temperatura de 25 ºC, durante 72 horas. As análises citoquímicas foram feitas em sementes embebidas por 0; 24; 48 e 72 horas. As células das sementes de sorgo apresentaram formatos irregulares, variando de elíptico ao arredondado, sendo que a coloração com o azul de toluidina também revelou a presença de núcleos, principalmente em sementes osmocondicionadas, indicando que algumas células apresentaram intensa atividade celular. A presença de proteína foi detectada, principalmente em corpos protéicos no citoplasma das células cotiledonares, enquanto o amido foi identificado na forma de grânulos, principalmente no endosperma. Os tratamentos de envelhecimento acelerado e de osmocondicionamento das sementes, associados ao estresse salino, resultaram em pequenas alterações morfológicas e citoquímicas visíveis durante o período experimental.The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of water absorption and cytochemical changes in primed and aged seeds of sorghum during germination under absence or presence of 100 mM NaCl. The initial batch of seeds of sorghum cv. IPA-1011, was divided into two batches of different levels of vigor, by the accelerated aging of half seeds, with half of each batch also referred to the priming of polyethylene glycol 6000 at -0.86 MPa for 48 hours. Four replicates of 50 seeds from each batch were placed on two sheets of filter paper, blotting paper saturated with distilled water and placed inside gerboxes (11 x 11 x 3.5 cm) transparent lids, which were kept in a germination chamber under continuous darkness and 25 ºC for 72 hours. The cytochemical analysis characterization was measured in the soaking times of 0; 24; 48 and 72 hours. The sorghum seeds cells showed irregular shapes, ranging from elliptical to rounded, and the staining with the toluidine blue also revealed the presence of nuclei, especially in primed seeds, indicating that some cells showed high cellular activity. The presence of protein was detected mainly in protein bodies on cytoplasm of cotyledon cells, while the starch was identified in the form of granules at endosperm. The accelerated aging treatments and seed priming, associated to salt stress resulted in little morphological and cytochemical visible changes during the experimental period analyzed.

Coffee quality is generally evaluated through cupping, a technique based on sensory perceptions. Trained cuppers assign scores to ten quality attributes on a scale of 1 to 10. Exposure of coffee to moisture and/or oxygen during storage and/or transportation can affect the sensory evaluation and reduce the price received by farmers. This paper has two objectives. First, it estimates the effect of sensory scores and water activity on coffee price and its price differential from the market price. Second, it explores coffee sensory scores sensitivity to storage duration and water activity under two methods of application of the Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags - the standard three layers PICS bag (PICS-3L) and the two layers PICS bag (PICS-2L). Data were collected for ten months from an experiment conducted in Manizales, Colombia. Results suggest, on average, that an additional point in the score of flavor or body increases the price of coffee by at least 66 COP/kg (0.015 USD/kg). If coffee has an additional point in aftertaste or uniformity from what is expected from other coffees of the same origin, then its price differential is reduced by at least 8 COP/kg (0.002 USD/kg). Using a PICS-3L bag instead of a PICS-2L bag does not affect the coffee price or sensory scores, but it reduces the price differential by approximately 18 COP/kg (0.004 USD/kg). On the other hand, water activity reduces coffee price but not its price differential. Storage time affects coffee sensory scores in some attributes, which may impact the coffee bean price.

A utilização de técnicas adequadas de armazenamento permite a conservação da qualidade nutricional e tecnológica dos grãos por períodos prolongados. Sendo assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes condições e tempos de armazenamento no caráter tempo de cocção dos grãos de feijão. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de cinco períodos de armazenamento (0; 45; 90; 180 e 360 dias) em quatro condições de armazenamento (1: embalagem de polietileno em câmara fria; 2: embalagem de polietileno em temperatura ambiente; 3: papel em câmara fria; 4: papel em temperatura ambiente), para dois genótipos (BRS Supremo e Pérola), dispostos em fatorial 5 x 4 x 2, em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Foi realizado o teste de cocção para cada unidade experimental e sendo submetidos à análise de variância pelo teste F. A análise de variância revelou efeito significativo para a interação tripla entre os fatores genótipo, condição de armazenamento e tempo de armazenamento (G x C x A). Em condição de câmara fria, o tempo de cocção manteve-se constante durante o período avaliado, independentemente da embalagem utilizada. O tempo de cocção dos grãos de feijão aumenta com o tempo de armazenamento em temperatura ambiente, porém, o ritmo de aumento do tempo de cocção é menor quando os grãos são armazenados em condições herméticas.The use of appropriate storage techniques preserve the nutritional and technological quality of grain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of storage conditions and storage periods in bean cooking time character. The composition of treatments were five storage periods (0; 45; 90; 180 and 360 days) in four storage conditions (1: packing of polythene in cold chamber; 2: packing of polythene in environment temperature; 3: paper packing in cold chamber; 4: paper packing in environment temperature), for two genotypes (BRS Supremo and Pérola). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, as a factorial (5 x 4 x 2) arrangement, with four replications. The cooking time was determined to each experimental unit. The results were submitted to variance analysis by the F test. The variance analysis showed significance to triple interaction between genotypes, storage conditions and storage period (G x C x A). The cooking time was the same during the evaluated period, when bean grains ware stored in cold chamber, independently of storage conditions. When bean grains ware stored at environment temperature, the cooking time increases along the period; however, the rhythm of increase in cooking time is smaller when the grains are stored in hermetic conditions.