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The Southwestern Pampas (SWP) is a semi-arid region of Argentina with the presence of a widespread caliche layer that limits soil depth. In this region, maize production has recently expanded with scarce information on appropriate management practices. The objective of this work was to provide an agro-climatic and eco-physiological framework of cultural changes of maize cropping systems of the SWP and the main implications of the climatic and edaphic constraints on crop management decisions. The work combined i) public data of regional maize cultivated area for the period 2008–2015 alongside with farmers’ cropping management trends related to sowing dates and plant population density (PPD); ii) on-field experimental data generated from trials in different sites in the SWP sown at different dates, soil depths and PPDs; and iii) a crop water-economy characterization with a probabilistic approach by means of historical climatic series (identifying the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases) in three locations in the SWP across a longitudinal range between the 800 mm and 600 mm isohyets. In the 2008–2015 period, maize area increased five-fold, median sowing date delayed one month and PPD decreased from ca. 7.2 pl m-2 to 3.4 pl m-2. Late-sown crops (7564 kg ha-1; CV = 19%) out-yielded early-sown crops (5888 kg ha-1; CV = 42%) with less variability across environments. Crop evapotranspiration during the cycle (ETacycle) slightly decreased (P50 = 3–32 mm lower) with the delay of sowing, but the proportion of crop evapotranspiration during the reproductive period was significantly higher. ETacycle of late crops did not vary within PPD, but transpiration per plant decreased with PPD and increased in deep soils, especially at low densities. The impacts of sowing date and PPD did not vary among ENSO phases, not supporting the use of ENSO as a decision criterion for maize management in the SWP.

Este texto propone recorrer parte de la obra del artista Alberto Greco, uno de los antecedentes más significativos de la vanguardia argentina de los años 60. El objetivo es establecer ciertas correspondencias entre sus acciones artísticas y la producción de una selección de artistas contemporáneos latinoamericanos que abordan los conceptos de cuerpo, ausencia, presencia, e identidad., This text aims to trace part of the work of the artist Alberto Greco, one of the most significant history of the art of the 60s Argentina The objective is to establish certain correspondences among his artistic activities and the production of a selection of Latin American contemporary artists who address Body Concepts, absence, presence, and identity., Facultad de Artes

Interactions between nitrogen (Ns) and water stress (Ws) effects on annual crops productivity have been widely investigated in Mediterranean-type regions, but not in the humid temperate ones as the central Pampas of Argentina, where early-sown maize crops are usually exposed to severe yield penalties due to the mentioned stresses. Additionally, the recommendation of increasing plant populations promoted by seed companies may push crops to high density stress (HDs), which has usually a multiplicative (i.e. less intensive) and not an additive (i.e. more intensive) effect when combined with other constraints. In current research we re-examined multiple stress effects (HDs, Ns, Ws and the interaction of HDs with either Ns or Ws) on the determinants of grain yield of two maize hybrids, and used relative plant biomass (SI = 1 − stress/reference) as an integrative seasonal index for describing their intensities. Field experiments included two maize hybrids of contrasting tolerance to stress (high for AX820 and low for AX877), grown under different combinations of stand densities (9 and 12 plants m−2) and N offer (0 and 200 kg N ha−1) or water regime (well-watered and water deficit). The SI of combined stresses was always larger than the SI of any individual stress. For the tolerant hybrid, effects of combined abiotic stresses on SI were always multiplicative, whereas for the intolerant one the response intensified (i.e., turned additive or even synergic) under Ws × HDs. For both hybrids, a single model described the sensitivity of certain traits (number of complete and total florets, number of exposed silks) to the wide range of evaluated SIs, whereas independent models were necessary to accommodate the variation observed in the anthesis-silking interval associated with Ws and Ns. The second pattern was also observed in the case of kernel number per plant and plant grain yield of the intolerant but not of the tolerant hybrid. The former was more sensitive to Ws than the latter. Our results confirm a different sensitivity of the analyzed traits according to the origin of stress and the genotypic variability in these responses. Fil: Rossini, Maria de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia del Noroeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Maddonni, Gustavo Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Otegui, Maria Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal; Argentina

Se ha documentado variabilidad genotípica en el impacto del estrés térmico durante etapas reproductivas del maíz sobre el número, peso y calidad de los granos. Sin embargo, se desconoce el efecto del estrés térmico en pre-floración sobre el peso y la calidad cuando hay cambios en la relación fuentedestino post-floración, i.e. defoliaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la evolución del peso de los granos de maíz y su calidad para un híbrido tropical (H1) y sus dos líneas parentales (L1 y L2), ante un evento de estrés térmico pre-floración combinado con reducciones de la fuente de asimilados post-floración. Se realizó un experimento bajo condiciones de invernáculo que permitió manipular el régimen térmico (con y sin estrés). El estrés térmico (>35ºC) se impuso durante 15 días desde inicios de la encañazón hasta 15 días antes de antesis, mientras que el tratamiento de defoliación (reducción ~50% del área verde) se aplicó a los 15 días desde R1 (i.e. comienzo del crecimiento del grano). El estrés térmico pre-floración no generó cambios en el peso o la calidad de los granos. Como producto de la defoliación se redujo el peso de los granos, debido a una interrupción anticipada del crecimiento de los mismos, provocando modificaciones sobre su composición química, atribuibles a los cambios en el calibre de los granos. La defoliación redujo la proporción de granos de calibre >8 mm en H1 y aumentó en L1 la proporción de granos de calibre 6,5-8 mm, determinando menores concentraciones de aceite, proteína y almidón. En L2 la concentración de aceite, disminuyó por la defoliación al aumentar los granos de calibre pequeño e intermedio y disminuir los de mayor calibre. Studies have documented genotypic variability in the impact of episodes of heat stress during reproductive stages of maize crops on kernel number, kernel weight and kernel composition. The objective of this study was to analyze the evolution of kernel weight and final kernel composition of a tropical maize hybrid (H1) and its two parent lines (L1 and L2), exposed to combinations of pre-flowering thermal regimes and post-flowering source-sink ratios. A field experiment was conducted under a plastic cover to manipulate thermal regime (with and without heat stress). Heat stress (> 35 ° C) was imposed during 15 days from stem elongation to15 days before anthesis, while defoliation (reduction ~ 50% of plant leaf area) was applied 15 days after flowering (i.e. the beginning of kernel growth). Pre-flowering heat stress did not modify kernel weight and kernel composition. Defoliation reduced kernel weight due to an early interruption of kernel growth, whereas alterations on chemical composition of kernels were attributable to changes in the caliper of kernels. Reductions of oil, starch and protein kernel concentrations by defoliation were related to the increased proportions of kernels > 8mm in H1 or >6.5-8 mm in L1. In L2 the higher kernel oil concentration of defoliated crops was related to the increased proportions of kernels 8mm. Fil: Rivelli, Gonzalo Martín. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cerealicultura; Argentina Fil: Navarrete Sánchez, Robinson Andrey. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cerealicultura; Argentina Fil: Maddonni, Gustavo Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina

La producción de macollos puede otorgar estabilidad al rendimiento del maíz en ambientes con oferta variable de recursos, o compensar fallas en el establecimiento de plántulas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la fenología de los estadios vegetativos y reproductivos de vástagos principales y macollos y su relación con el crecimiento en etapas tempranas del cultivo, en escenarios de alta oferta de recursos bajo densidades de siembra contrastantes. Se realizó un experimento a campo en la FA-UBA durante 2014-2015, con dos híbridos dentados (ARV2194HXRR y ARV2183MGRR) y un híbrido pisingallo (Argenpop 141) sembrados en dos densidades (3 y 6 plantas m-2) sin limitaciones hídrico-nutricionales. Desde etapas tempranas del ciclo, la proporción de plantas con macollos presentó diferencias (0,005

Episodes of extremely high temperatures (>35°C) may cause a premature cessation of maize kernel growth (i.e., heat stress), depressing crop grain yield. However, little is known about the influence of this constraint on chemical composition of maize kernels, a key trait for end-use related attributes. Four maize genotypes (flint, popcorn, temperate semi-dent, and temperate × tropical semi-dent) with distinctive endosperm types were grown at heated and non-heated temperature regimes during the early or late stages of the effective grain-filling period. Heat stress during early stages decreased both protein and starch contents of kernels, but the impact on the former was lower (up to-42%) than on the latter (up to-50%), resulting in increases of kernel protein concentration (up to +14%). The flint and popcorn hybrids, with hard endosperm type, tended to be less vulnerable to such effects due to an enhanced capacity to sustain kernel growth. For all hybrids, heat stress during late stages of kernel growth, reduced similarly protein and starch contents (up to-38%), without affecting kernel protein concentration. Heat stress always altered endosperm protein composition by increasing the relative abundance of glutelins, and β-plus γ-zeins, at the expense of that of α-zeins. The significant environment × endosperm-type interaction for kernel chemical compounds should be linked to quality parameters for different maize end-uses. Fil: Mayer, Luis Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Luis; Argentina Fil: Savin, Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Lleida; España Fil: Maddonni, Gustavo Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. ; Argentina

Rainfed maize (Zea mays, L.) crops in temperate semi-arid regions with high inter-annual variation of summer precipitation, are commonly cultivated at low population densities. During seasons with favorable conditions for plant growth (e.g. summer rainfalls above normal records), the number of kernels of sub-apical ear can contribute significantly to total kernel number per plant (TKN). However, there is no information of the determinant traits of kernel setting at sub-apical ear, or the effects of breeding on these traits. We used a crop physiology model with an individual plant approach in attempt to describe genotypic differences in those traits related to kernel setting at the apical (KNE1) and the sub-apical ear (KNE2) of older and newer Argentinean maize hybrids. Four representative hybrids of the decades of 80´, 90´, 00´ and 10´ were cultivated during two growing seasons at three densities (4, 8 and 12 pl m-2). Nondestructive techniques were used to estimate the growth rate of individual plant (PGRPC), apical (E1GRCP) and sub-apical (E2GRCP) ear during the period bracketing silking (critical period), biomass partitioning to reproductive sinks (E1GRCP PGRCP-1 and E2GRCP PGRCP-1) and the efficiency to set kernels of the plant (TKN PGRCP-1) and the ears (KNE1 E1GRCP-1 and KNE2 E2GRCP-1). Differences among tested hybrids in KNE1 (ca. 400 to 600 k ear-1) were mainly determined by KNE1 E1GRCP-1 (ca. 230 to 280 k d-1 g-1) while newer hybrids had the highest E1GRCP PGRCP-1 (> 0.50). In contrast, hybrids had similar KNE2 (ca. 124 k ear-1) due to their similar E2GRCP PGRCP-1 (ca. 0.08) and KNE2 E2GRCP-1 (ca. 93 k d-1 g-1). These results suggest that breeding effect on TKN was mainly determined by KNE1 E1GRCP-1 and for the newest hybrid this trait did not interact with plant density. Hence, the newest hybrid exhibited a positive linear response of TKN to PGRPC (r2 = 0.84) reaching the highest TKN among hybrids at low, mid and high density. A better performance of maize crops at low densities could be obtained by breeding for E2GRCP PGRCP-1. Fil: Ciancio, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Parco, Martín. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Incognito, Salvador Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora; Argentina Fil: Maddonni, Gustavo Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal; Argentina

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Se ha documentado variabilidad genotípica en el impacto del estrés térmico durante etapas reproductivas del maíz sobre el número, peso y calidad de los granos. Sin embargo, se desconoce el efecto del estrés térmico en pre-floración sobre el peso y la calidad cuando hay cambios en la relación fuentedestino post-floración, i.e. defoliaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la evolución del peso de los granos de maíz y su calidad para un híbrido tropical (H1) y sus dos líneas parentales (L1 y L2), ante un evento de estrés térmico pre-floración combinado con reducciones de la fuente de asimilados post-floración. Se realizó un experimento bajo condiciones de invernáculo que permitió manipular el régimen térmico (con y sin estrés). El estrés térmico (mayor a 35ºC) se impuso durante 15 días desde inicios de la encañazón hasta 15 días antes de antesis, mientras que el tratamiento de defoliación (reducción ~50 por ciento del área verde) se aplicó a los 15 días desde R1 (i.e. comienzo del crecimiento del grano). El estrés térmico pre-floración no generó cambios en el peso o la calidad de los granos. Como producto de la defoliación se redujo el peso de los granos, debido a una interrupción anticipada del crecimiento de los mismos, provocando modificaciones sobre su composición química, atribuibles a los cambios en el calibre de los granos. La defoliación redujo la proporción de granos de calibre mayor a 8 mm en H1 y aumentó en L1 la proporción de granos de calibre 6,5-8 mm, determinando menores concentraciones de aceite, proteína y almidón. En L2, la concentración de aceite, disminuyó por la defoliación al aumentar los granos de calibre pequeño e intermedio y disminuir los de mayor tamaño. tbls., grafs.

La producción de macollos puede otorgar estabilidad al rendimiento del maíz en ambientes con oferta variable de recursos, o compensar fallas en el establecimiento de plántulas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la fenología de los estadios vegetativos y reproductivos de vástagos principales y macollos y su relación con el crecimiento en etapas tempranas del cultivo, en escenarios de alta oferta de recursos bajo densidades de siembra contrastantes. Se realizó un experimento a campo en la FA-UBA durante 2014-2015, con dos híbridos dentados (ARV2194HXRR y ARV2183MGRR) y un híbrido pisingallo (Argenpop 141) sembrados en dos densidades (3 y 6 plantas m-2) sin limitaciones hídrico-nutricionales. Desde etapas tempranas del ciclo, la proporción de plantas con macollos presentó diferencias (0,005 menor a P menor a 0.1) entre densidades (mayor en baja densidad). En ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141, esta proporción respondió positiva y linealmente a la tasa de crecimiento del vástago principal durante los primeros 42 días desde emergencia. Para similares tasas, el ARV2183MGRR nunca presentó macollos. Debido a la mayor producción de macollos en baja densidad, ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141 presentaron estabilidad en el número de vástagos m-2 (ca. 7,6 y 8,3 vástagos m-2 para ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141; respectivamente) entre densidades. A pesar del menor número de hojas (ca. 13,8 vs 22 y 10,4 vs 18 hojas para macollos y vástagos principales de ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141; respectivamente) y similar filocrono (ca. 44,6 y 56,5 °Cd hoja-1 para ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141; respectivamente), los macollos florecieron más tardíamente (ca. 120 y 70 °Cd para ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141; respectivamente) y presentaron una mayor asincronía floral (ca. -123 y -71°Cd para ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141; respectivamente) que el vástago principal (ca. 18 y 7°Cd para ARV2194HXRR y Argenpop141; respectivamente), probablemente debido a la demora en el inicio del macollaje (aprox. en 8-9 hojas aparecidas del vástago principal) y en la iniciación floral de sus ápices. tbls., grafs.

Genotypic differences in the response of maize kernel number per plant to ear growth rate around silking, caused by contrasting N availability, have been attributed to the effects of this element on reproductive efficiency (i.e. kernel set per unit of ear growth rate). The objective of current research was to assess if reduced reproductive efficiency of some genotypes under N stress is due to the effect of this nutrient on the number of completely developed florets per ear, the number of exposed silks per ear, and/or abortion of pollinated florets. Two field experiments were conducted with two hybrids previously characterized by their contrasting reproductive efficiency (high for AX820 and low for AX877) under N stress, two stand densities (9 and 12 pl m−2) and two levels of added N (0 and 200 kg N ha−1). We established links among plant and ear growth rates, reproductive traits and kernel number per plant. Reduced reproductive efficiency (quantified as kernel number per plant per unit of spikelet growth rate around silking) of both hybrids under N deficiency was mainly due to an enhanced abortion of pollinated florets of the most suppressed plants of the stand (dominated individuals). This response did not appear to be the result of low spikelet growth rate around silking, but a direct control of N on sink capacity of fertilized ovaries for assimilates allocation.

High intra-specific competition pressure, which is common at most maize (Zea mays L.) cropping conditions, promotes inter-plant variation and the appearance of extreme plant hierarchies with different ability to capture scarce resources (i.e., dominant and dominated plants) within a stand. The objectives of the current work were to analyze (i) inter-plant variation of grain yield per plant (GYP), GYP components (KNP: kernel number per plant; KW: kernel weight), and kernel composition, together with those of their physiological determinants, i.e., plant growth (PG) rate around silking (PGRS), PGRS per kernel (PGRSKNP-1) and PG during the effective grain-filling period per kernel (PGGFKNP-1), under contrasting N supply and (ii) the contribution of dominant and dominated plants to changes in inter-plant variation and mean values of the studied traits. For these purposes two maize hybrids previously characterized by their contrasting inter-plant variation under N stress (low: AX820 and high: AX877) were cultivated at high stand densities (9 and 12plm-2) at two N supplies (N0: control and N200: 200kgNha-1) without water restrictions. For AX820, PGRS data set at both N levels explored a similar range (1-7.4 and 1.2-7.4gpl-1d-1 for N0 and N200, respectively) with a positive skewness in N0, and an almost normal distribution of data in N200. In contrast, for AX877, inter-plant variation of PGRS exhibited a normal distribution in both N levels, and N fertilization only produced a displacement of data to higher PGRS values (0-4.3 and 0.7-5.7gpl-1d-1 for N0 and N200, respectively). The effect of inter-plant variation of PGRS on the coefficient of variation (CV) of KNP was of a greater magnitude in AX877 than in AX820 due to the more linear KNP response to PGRS of the former. For both hybrids, mean values of KW increased and the CVs decreased in response to high N supply. Differences among plants and N levels in KW were related to the duration of the effective grain-filling period. Inter-plant variation of protein and starch concentrations was higher in N0 than in N200, but that of oil concentration was not affected by N supply. The analysis of plant hierarchies resulted useful to understand changes in mean values and frequency distributions of several agronomic traits. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. Fil: Mayer, Luis Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina Fil: Rossini, Maria de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina Fil: Maddonni, Gustavo Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina

Increased plant population density in irrigated and fertilized maize crops enhances plant-to-plant variability since early vegetative stages, because the most suppressed individuals of the stand intercept less radiation per unit leaf area than the dominant ones (i.e. a size-asymmetric competition for light). Contrarily, a size-symmetric competition has been proposed for the acquisition of soil resources in a plant community (e.g. N capture per unit root length is similar among plants of different size). Hence, N fertilization effect on the variability of maize plants would depend on the initial plant-to-plant variability or on that promoted by a high plant population density. Two maize hybrids with contrasting tolerance to crowding (tolerant AX820 and intolerant AX877) were cultivated under different combinations of stand densities (6, 9 and 12plantsm-2) and N supplies (0 and 200kgNha-1) without water restrictions. Variability in plant growth rate among plants was computed along the cycle, especially after fertilizer was applied (i.e. the early reproductive period; PGRER) and during the critical period around silking (PGRCP). Plant-to-plant variability in biomass partitioning to the ear (partition index; PI), ear growth rate during the critical period (EGRCP) and kernel number per plant (KNP) was also established. Reduced N supply increased the coefficient of variation (CV) of PGRER, PGRCP, EGRCP and KNP (0.05 Fil: Rossini, Maria de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina Fil: Maddonni, Gustavo Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina Fil: Otegui, Maria Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina

Previous studies documented the stability of maize (Zea mays L.) kernel oil concentration for a wide range of kernel weights promoted by contrasting post-flowering assimilate availabilities per kernel (i.e., source-sink ratios). These studies mainly modified the sink size with a low impact on the source size. In this study, we focused on kernel oil concentration response to source-sink ratio alterations promoted by different timings and intensities of shading during the effective grain-filling period. Two crosses with contrasting kernel oil concentration ('DK752' x DK752 and DK752 x '5MG') were tested. Kernel oil concentration was positively related to the embryo-kernel ratio (r = 0.96, P < 0.001) and embryo oil concentration (r = 0.94, P < 0.001) and crosses differed in both traits. Severe shading (85% reduction of incident solar radiation) at early stages of kernel growth reduced the final embryo-kernel ratio and the embryo oil concentration of both crosses. Contrarily, moderate shading (45% reduction of incident solar radiation) did not modify the kernel oil determinants. Kernel oil concentration and kernel weight declined when severe shading shortened the kernel growth period. Our results collectively sustain the hypothesis that maize kernel oil concentration is commonly sink-limited. We established that kernel oil concentration of both crosses was reduced when post-flowering plant growth rate per kernel was less than 50% of kernel growth rate.

† Background and Aims Previous studies have reported effects of pollen source on the oil concentration of maize (Zea mays) kernels through modifications to both the embryo/kernel ratio and embryo oil concentration. The present study expands upon previous analyses by addressing pollen source effects on the growth of kernel structures (i.e. pericarp, endosperm and embryo), allocation of embryo chemical constituents (i.e. oil, protein, starch and soluble sugars), and the anatomy and histology of the embryos. † Methods Maize kernels with different oil concentration were obtained from pollinations with two parental genotypes of contrasting oil concentration. The dynamics of the growth of kernel structures and allocation of embryo chemical constituents were analysed during the post-flowering period. Mature kernels were dissected to study the anatomy (embryonic axis and scutellum) and histology [cell number and cell size of the scutellums, presence of sub-cellular structures in scutellum tissue (starch granules, oil and protein bodies)] of the embryos. † Key Results Plants of all crosses exhibited a similar kernel number and kernel weight. Pollen source modified neither the growth period of kernel structures, nor pericarp growth rate. By contrast, pollen source determined a trade-off between embryo and endosperm growth rates, which impacted on the embryo/kernel ratio of mature kernels. Modifications to the embryo size were mediated by scutellum cell number. Pollen source also affected (P , 0.01) allocation of embryo chemical compounds. Negative correlations among embryo oil concentration and those of starch (r ¼ 0.98, P , 0.01) and soluble sugars (r ¼ 0.95, P , 0.05) were found. Coincidently, embryos with low oil concentration had an increased (P , 0.05 ‐0.10) scutellum cell area occupied by starch granules and fewer oil bodies. † Conclusions The effects of pollen source on both embryo/kernel ratio and allocation of embryo chemicals seems to be related to the early established sink strength (i.e. sink size and sink activity) of the embryos.

Previous studies have documented pollen effect on maize (Zea mays L.) kernel oil concentration and the stability of this trait for a wide range of post-flowering source/sink ratios. Few efforts, however, have been devoted to establishing the functional relations among pollen source, source/ sink ratio, and kernel oil concentration. Kernels of a normal oil content hybrid (DK752) self-pollinated and those of the same hybrid but pollinated with a high oil pollinator genotype (5MG) were sampled during the grain-filling period to evaluate the effect of different post-flowering source/sink ratios on kernel and embryo growth dynamics and oil deposition in the embryos. Final weight of kernels and embryos were related to post-flowering source/sink ratio, but embryo oil concentration was not modified. Pollen source affected both embryo weight (∼31 and 41 mg for DK752xDK752 and DK752x5MG, respectively) and embryo oil concentration (∼330 and 380 g kg -1 for DK752xDK752 and DK752x5MG, respectively). Final weight of kernels and embryos were closely related to variations in their growth rates (R 2 = 0.79-0.82). The robust relationship between embryo growth rate and kernel growth rate determined the steady embryo/kernel ratio (-12.6 and 16.1% for DK752xDK752 and DK752x5MG, respectively) and kernel oil concentration of each cross (∼68 and 93 g kg -1 for DK752xDK752 and DK752x5MG, respectively).

Maize canopies with a synchronous seedling emergence and a uniform plant spatial distribution exhibit early-established plant hierarchies (at the 4-leaf stage; V4). The dominant and dominated individuals of the stand differ in plant growth rate during both the pre-silking period (i.e. from V7 to V13; PGRPS) and the period around silking (i.e. a 30 d period centered in silking; PGRS), and in the ear growth rate around silking (EGRS). Based on the depleted availability of assimilates of the dominated plants, we tested the hypotheses that (i) the low PGRPS of dominated individuals affects the morphogenesis of the apical ear leading to a low number of completely developed flowers per ear, and (ii) the low EGRS of dominated individuals results in a pronounced asynchrony of flowering dynamics and uneven silk exsertion from the husks. Two hybrids with contrasting tolerance to crowding stress (DK752 and DK765 as the tolerant and the intolerant hybrid, respectively) were cropped under different intensities of interplant competition (6, 12, 12 plants m−2 thinned to 6 plants m−2 at V9 and 6 plants m−2 shaded from V9 onwards) during 2004/2005 and at 12 plants m−2 during 2005/2006 at Pergamino (34°56′S 60°34′W), Argentina. Dominant plants were the individuals of the stands with the highest PGRPS (ca. 1.72 and 2.56 g d−1 for dominated and dominant plants, respectively), PGRS (ca. 3.05 and 3.94 g d−1 for dominated and dominant plants, respectively) and EGRS (ca. 1.06 and 1.55 g d−1 for dominated and dominant plants, respectively). This plant type also exhibited the most synchronous flowering dynamics (anthesis–silking interval ca. 1.49 and 1.15 days for dominated and dominant plants, respectively) and the highest kernel set (ca. 401 and 572 kernels plant−1 for dominated and dominant plants, respectively). Apical ears of dominated plants exhibited a delayed in the rate of progress to successive floral stages, but the final number of completely developed flowers per ear did not differ between extreme plant types (ca. 967 and 803 completely developed flowers per ear for DK752 and DK765, respectively). Hence, kernel number per plant was not limited by the number of completely developed flowers per ear, but flowering dynamics were a decisive factor in kernel set of both plant types. Asynchronous silking within the ear of dominated plants determined a greater proportion of flowers per ear with non-exposed silks on silking + 5 d and a larger asynchrony in silk extrusion within the ear. These responses increased kernel abortion rate respect to figures obtained for dominant individuals.

Early interferences among plants within a maize stand determine the establishment of extreme plant types (i.e. dominant and dominated individuals). The development of these hierarchies takes place well before [from the seventh leaf stage (V 7 ) onwards] the start of the critical period for kernel set (i.e. a 30-day period centered in silking). Kernel number per plant (KNP) is significantly related to plant growth rate around silking (PGR S ) and biomass partitioning to the ear during this period. Previous evidence has demonstrated that at high stand densities, extreme plant types may exhibit similar PGR S values but set different KNP. We tested the hypothesis that early established plant hierarchies differ in biomass allocation to the ears during the period around silking. Two hybrids of contrasting tolerance to crowding (DK752 and DK765 as the tolerant and the intolerant hybrid, respectively) were cropped at different interplant competition intensities (6, 12, 12 pl m −2 thinned to 6 pl m −2 at V 9 and 6 pl m −2 shading from V 9 onwards) during 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 in Argentina. For all treatments, the coefficient of variation (CV) of plant biomass increased from V 3 (ca. 1.2%) to V 9-10 (ca. 22%). From V 7 onwards, plant growth rate of dominant individuals was higher ( P P S (ca. 4.5 g pl day −1 ) than dominated individuals (ca. 3.7 g pl day −1 ). As PGR S declined in response to increased plant population density (ca. 5.1 and 2.8 for 6 and 12 pl m −2 , respectively), biomass partitioning to the ear was reduced (ca. 0.44 and 0.33 for 6 and 12 pl m −2 , respectively). For all treatments, however, dominant plants exhibited a greater biomass partitioning to the ear (ca. 0.41) than the dominated individuals (ca. 0.36). Consequently, the former were the individuals with the highest ear growth rate (ca. 1.9 and 1.4 g per ear per day for the dominant and dominated plant, respectively) and KNP (ca. 623 and 490 kernels per plant for the dominant and dominated plant, respectively) of the stand. We identified three traits on DK765 related to the low tolerance to high-density stress of this genotype: (i) a higher plant-to-plant variability (CV ca. 26% and 19%, for DK765 and DK752, respectively), (ii) a lower biomass partitioning to the ear around silking (ca. 0.26 and 0.39 for DK765 and DK752, respectively), and (iii) a higher response rate of KNP to ear growth rate around silking (ca. 370–738 and 360–414 kernels per g, for DK765 and DK752, respectively). Hence, as stand density was increased, KNP of DK765 was sharply reduced, especially in the dominated individuals of the stand.

Previous studies have documented that transgene introduction may alter the phenotypic expression of several traits (e.g., biomass production, grain yield). We hypothesized that genetic diversity could influence the phenotypic variation among hybrids of a same genetic background and also among plants of a hybrid. The objectives of this preliminary study were: (i) to quantify the genetic diversity between the non-transgenic (DK747) and transgenic versions (DK747MG, DK747RR and DK747MGRR) of a single-cross maize hybrid and among plants of each version, (ii) to observe the distribution of genetic diversity along the genome and (iii) to explore relationships between phenotypic variability and genetic diversity. Hybrids were cultivated at field conditions during two growing seasons and plants of each hybrid with high, intermediate and low biomass at physiological maturity were selected to perform a study of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Genetic diversity among plants of each version was greater than among versions and both sources of variation were significant (ΦST = 0.45, P < 0.01). Genetic diversity of the non-transgenic DK747 was higher than those of the transgenic versions, probably reflecting the conventional breeding history of these iso-hybrids. Similarity coefficients indicate that the most homogeneous group was that composed by plants of DK747MGRR. A Fisher's exact test together with a principal component analysis identified certain SNPs related to the contrasting plant biomass of DK747, 747MG and DK747RR. Caution should be taken with these results, because of the small sample size for SNPs study and the narrow set of tested hybrids. Fil: Laserna, María Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina Fil: López, C. G.. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora; Argentina Fil: Aulicino, Mónica Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Instituto Fitotécnico de "Santa Catalina"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Maddonni, Gustavo Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; Argentina

Traditional breeding has been successful in delivering new cultivars with improved grain yield. This is particularly true in the case of maize, with global gains in yield always >2% since the massive introduction of hybrids in the 1960s. The advent of molecular tools in the 1980s, however, demanded an increased knowledge of the whole phenotype for enhancing the breadth of marker-assisted selection. This demand rose during the last decade, and revealed the existence of a large gap between genotypic and phenotypic knowledge, particularly for traits related to the physiological determinants of grain yield (i.e. traits conducive to biomass production and its partitioning). In this chapter, we use maize as a model crop for (1) reviewing general aspects of the physiological model of yield and its dissection in minor traits, (2) examining recent yield gains in major maize-producing countries, and breeding effects on the physiological determinants behind these gains, (3) discussing a field-based approach for phenotyping traits considered critical for yield determination at the crop level, and (4) analyzing possible genetic controls behind the response of yield to its physiological determinants. Opportunities and limitations to the application of field-based phenotyping in maize breeding are also addressed.

A lo largo de las últimas décadas, la demanda del transporte aéreo comercial ha ido incrementando. Con ello, avances tecnológicos en los sistemas de la aeronave, mejoras en los procedimientos empleados por la tripulación o regulaciones más estrictas en cuanto a la seguridad del vuelo se refiere, han resultado en una continua disminución de los accidentes aéreos de la que es vastamente considerada como la forma más segura de viajar. Aun así, los accidentes seguirán ocurriendo y demandarán constantemente análisis e investigaciones asociadas para continuar minimizándolos. Este informe pretende estudiar concretamente un tipo de accidente aéreo denominado excursión de pista, haciendo especial hincapié en las causas que derivan en los mismo, Coordinador: Claudio Rímoldi., Facultad de Ingeniería

Maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield increase in narrow rows (0.35-0.50 m) may be related to the improvement of light interception around silking, but percentages of grain yield increase are generally lower than those of light interception, suggesting a lower efficiency to convert the amount of intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (IPAR) into aboveground phytomass. We analyzed the effects of plant population and row spacing on grain yield and its components (kernel number and kernel weight) and on the underlying processes, the IPAR around silking and during the effective grain filling period, and radiation use efficiency (RUE) during both periods. Field experiments were conducted in Argentina from 1997 to 2001. Five hybrids were cultivated at a wide range of plant population densities (3, 4.5, 9, and 12 plants m -2 ) and row spacings (0.35,0.50,0.70, and 1 m) without water and nutrient limitations. Row spacing reduction increased IPAR around silking at low plant densities (≈8 and 4% for 3-4.5 and 9-12 plants m -2 , respectively) but did not modify RUE during this period. Morphogenetic limitations in the reproductive organs of plants (number of florets per ear) cultivated at low stand densities, suppressed the slight benefits of enhanced light capture under narrow rows, yielding similar kernel numbers at any row spacing. Contrarily, a postsilking RUE reduction (=13-16%) of crops in narrow rows compared to those in wide rows minimized or counterbalanced any positive effect on IPAR during the grain-filling period. Hence, for the tested growing conditions, no benefits could be expected in terms of grain yield by reducing row spacing from the present 0.7- to 0.8-m inter-row distance.

Maize (Zea mays L.) cropping conditions that promote high intra-specific competition pressure generate an increased plant-to-plant variability within the stand, and the appearance of individuals with different ability to capture scarce resources (i.e. dominant and dominated plants). The objectives of this paper were to analyze (i) stand density effects on plant biomass at physiological maturity (R6), grain yield per plant (GYP), GYP components (KNP: kernel number per plant; KW: kernel weight), and kernel composition (starch, oil and protein contents per kernel) of the mean plant of the stand (i.e. considering all individuals) and of the dominant (D) and dominated (d) individuals; and (ii) the contribution of these extreme plant hierarchies to GYP, GYP components and kernel composition of the mean plant of a stand. Four maize hybrids of contrasting KW (small and large KW) were cropped at a wide range of stand densities (3‐15 pl m � 2 ) during 1999/2000 and 2001/ 2002 in Argentina. The mean value of measured variables declined as plant density increased from 3 to 15 pl m � 2 , and plant-to-plant variability (CV: coefficient of variation) of the same variables increased with enhanced crowding. The magnitude of the reduction in mean plant values differed among variables: plant biomass at R6, GYP and KNP underwent a larger reduction (ca. 66%) than KW (ca. 14‐19%) or kernel contents (ca. 22% for oil and protein contents, and 13% for starch content). Similarly, the increase in CVs was larger for plant biomass at R6 (from ca. 13 to 40%) and GYP (from ca. 30to 58 and 15 to 38% for small and large KW hybrids, respectively)than for KW (ca. from 7to 20%). Only a slight increase in CVs of oil (6‐17%) and protein (9‐12%) concentrations of large KW hybrids was recorded. The CVof KNP followed a trend similar to that for GYP. Differences between plant categories increased when mean GYP and KNP of all individuals of the stand were smaller than 157 g pl � 1 and 649 kernel pl � 1 , respectively. Below these thresholds, the d/D ratio dropped from 0.76 to 0.30 (small KW hybrids) or to 0.40 (large KW hybrids) for GYP (r 2 = 0.76, P < 0.001), and from 0.75 to 0.38 (small KW hybrids) or to 0.46 (large KW hybrids) for KNP (r 2 = 0.59, P < 0.001). In contrast, the d/D ratio for KW varied always from 1 to 0.80 in response to decreased mean KW (r 2 = 0.39, P < 0.01). The concentration of kernel contents did not differ between plant types. Results indicate that grain yield of maize crops grown at high stand densities is composed by plants bearing very different kernel numbers, with slight differences in kernel size, and similar starch, oil and protein concentration. # 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seed weight and oil concentration are commonly related to post-flowering source of assimilates (e.g., leaf area index duration, LAD). A predictive variable including both the source of assimilates and the sinks (i.e., seed number) would better account for seed weight and seed oil concentration variability of crops with contrasting seed number and canopy size. We established quantitative relationships between oil weight per seed components and post-flowering source-sink ratio. Field experiments were conducted in Argentina from 1998 to 2001. Four hybrids were cultivated under contrasting plant populations and nutrient supplies. A wide range of LAD (913-3130 m 2 °Cd m -2 ), seed number (4270-8880 seeds m -2 ), and seed weight (41-62 mg) was recorded. In contrast, seed oil concentration was not modified (about 530 mg g -1 ). Post-flowering source-sink ratio (LAD per seed) better accounted (r 2 = 0.69) for seed-weight prediction than LAD (r 2 = 0.42). Maximum seed weight (60 mg) was attained with source-sink ratios ≥0.33 m 2 °Cd seed -1 . Results from our data set pooled together with others of different agro-ecological regions reveal that sunflower crops are normally growing under limiting post-flowering source-sink ratios and a 47% reduction of seed weight occurs when post-flowering source-sink ratio is dramatically (100%) reduced. Seed weight is only 23% increased at saturated source-sink ratios. In contrast, for the wide range of post-flowering source-sink ratios analyzed, seed oil concentration did not vary.

Reduced plant biomass and increased plant-to-plant variability are expected responses to crowding in monocultures, but the underlying processes that control the onset of interplant interference and the establishment of hierarchies among plants within a stand are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that early determined plant types (i.e. dominant and dominated individuals) are the cause of the large variability in final kernel number per plant (KNP) usually observed at low values of plant growth rate (PGR) around silking in maize ( Zea mays L.). Two hybrids (DK696 and Exp980) of contrasting response to crowding were cropped at different stand densities (6, 9 and 12 plants m −2 ), row spacings (0.35 and 0.70 m), and water regimes (rainfed and irrigated) during 1999/2000 and 2001/2002 in Argentina. The onset of interplant competition started very early during the cycle, and significant differences ( P 4–6 (DK696) and V 6–7 (Exp980). Plant population and row spacing treatments did not modify the onset of the hierarchical growth among plants, but did affect ( P −2 (ca. 0.12 g/g per 100 °C day) than at 6 plants m −2 (ca. 0.07 g/g per 100 °C day). For all treatments, the largest difference in estimated shoot biomass between plant types took place between 350 (V 7 ) and 750 °C day (V 13 ) from sowing, and remained constant from V 13 onwards. Dominant plants always had more kernels per plant ( P P −2 . Our research confirmed the significant ( P P 3 ) reflected the variation in KNP ( r 2 ≥0.62), and was significantly ( P 13 ). This response suggested that the physiological state of each plant at the beginning of the critical period had conditioned its reproductive fate. This early effect of plant type on final KNP seemed to be exerted through current assimilate partitioning during the critical period.

Maize crop management involves decision making on several cultural practices aimed to maximize grain yield, like plant population and row spacing. These practices affect the light environment perceived by plants and the post-flowering source–sink ratio, but there is scarce information on the way they influence plant leaf senescence. The objectives of our research were to: (i) characterize the development of leaf area senescence for contrasting canopy architectures (i.e. plant population×row spacing), and (ii) analyze the response of leaf senescence to changes in the light environment and the post-flowering source–sink ratio. Field experiments were conducted in Argentina between 1997/1998 and 2000/2001. Four hybrids were grown at a wide range of plant populations (3, 9, 10 and 12 plants m−2), row spacings (0.35, 0.7 and 1 m) and pollination treatments (natural and restricted pollination). Senescence development was well described (r2=0.61–0.99,P

In commercial crops, maize (Zea mays) plants are typically grown at a larger distance between rows (70 cm) than within the same row (16–23 cm). This rectangular arrangement creates a heterogeneous environment in which the plants receive higher red light (R) to far-red light (FR) ratios from the interrow spaces. In field crops, the hybrid Dekalb 696 (DK696) showed an increased proportion of leaves toward interrow spaces, whereas the experimental hybrid 980 (Exp980) retained random leaf orientation. Mirrors reflecting FR were placed close to isolated plants to simulate the presence of neighbors in the field. In addition, localized FR was applied to target leaves in a growth chamber. During their expansion, the leaves of DK696 turned away from the low R to FR ratio signals, whereas Exp980 leaves remained unaffected. On the contrary, tillering was reduced and plant height was increased by low R to FR ratios in Exp980 but not in DK696. Isolated plants preconditioned with low R/FR-simulating neighbors in a North-South row showed reduced mutual shading among leaves when the plants were actually grouped in North-South rows. These observations contradict the current view that phytochrome-mediated responses to low R/FR are a relic from wild conditions, detrimental for crop yield.

Heat stress frequently limits grain yield of summer crops. Most research on maize (Zea mays, L.) has analyzed heat stress effects on crop physiology and kernel set, but little attention has been given to kernel weight and its composition. The objectives of this work were (i) to assess the response of maize oil yield components (kernel number and weight, embryo oil concentration and embryo/kernel ratio) to postflowering heat stress, and (ii) to explore changes in the sensitivity to this constraint across developmental stages and genotypes. Hybrids with different kernel type (flint, popcorn and semident) were exposed to contrasting temperature regimes (nonheatedand heated: air temperature at ear level>35ºC) during early or late stages of the effective grain filling. Oil yield was affected by early (up to -60%), and to a lesser extent, late (up to -40%) heat-stress episodes. These effects were mediated by lighter kernels (r2=0.94; P

En el presente texto se reflexiona acerca de la producción del artista argentino Ernesto Deira (1928-1986) a la luz de algunas características que hacen al arte contemporáneo. Tomando como disparador el políptico Nueve variaciones para un bastidor bien tensado (1965), se presentan algunos de sus elementos constitutivos –el cuerpo fragmentado, cosificado y desmaterializado; la indeterminación, la repetición, la seriación, el exceso y el desplazamiento–, como poderosos antecedentes de lo que ocurrirá con las producciones artísticas a partir de los ochenta. Más de treinta años después, buena parte de la obra contemporánea retoma con fuerza estos rasgos, renovando y multiplicando sentidos., Sección: Ensayos, Facultad de Bellas Artes

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To evaluate the efficacy and safety of duloxetine hydrochloride in the treatment of patients affected by chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).Thirty-eight CP/CPPS patients completed the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaires, uroflowmetry, and evaluation of psychologic status using Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Patients were randomly assigned to 2 treatments groups. Treatment in group 1 consisted of a simultaneous oral administration of tamsulosin (0.4 mg/d, 60 mg/d), saw palmetto (320 mg/d), and duloxetine (60 mg/d). Treatment in group 2 consisted of tamsulosin (0.4 mg/d) and saw palmetto (320 mg/d). NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5 questionnaires, uroflowmetry, and evaluation of the psychological status were repeated at 16 weeks of follow-up.At 16 weeks, a significant improvement in NIH-CPSI pain subscore, NIH-CPSI quality of life subscore, and NIH-CPSI total score were observed in group 1 patients compared with those in group 2 (P.01, respectively), together with a significant improvement in HAM-A and HAM-D scores (P.01, respectively). Patients in group 2 showed a significant improvement in NIH-CPSI total score, in the urinary symptoms subscore, and in the HAM-A total score. No significant differences were observed in IIEF-5 scores in the 2 groups. Maximum flow rate significantly increased in both groups. In group 1, 20% of patients stopped the study due to adverse effects.The use of duloxetine in a multimodal treatment with an α-blocker medication and a saw palmetto extract allowed better results in controlling clinical symptoms, psychologic status and quality of life patients affected by CP/CPPS.