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The essential oil produced by Eugenia uniflora leaves is intensively used by the cosmetic, pharmaceutic and perfumery industries, mainly because its antioxidant effect and antimicrobial and antihelmintic ativities. Drying and storage of aromatic plant leaves can affect yield and quality of essential oils. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of drying method and storage conditions on the essential oil yield and composition in Eugenia uniflora leaves. The essential oil was extracted from dried leaves at ambient temperature and at 45°C for six drying periods (0, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours). The essential oil yield was also analyzed after 0, 60, 120, and 180 days of storage in three types of packaging. The oil was extracted with hydrodistillation, and the composition was determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that drying leaves at ambient temperature and 45°C for 48 and 24 h, respectively, increased the essential oil yield. At 45°C, the monoterpene and sesquiterpene compounds increased, with curzerene+viridiflorene identified as the major compounds. The packaging did not affect the essential oil yield but increasing the storage period decreased it. RESUMEN El aceite esencial producido por las hojas de Eugenia uniflora es utilizado intensamente por las industrias cosmética, farmacéutica y de perfumería principalmente debido a su efecto antioxidante y sus actividades antimicrobianas y antihelmínticas. El secado y el almacenamiento de las hojas de plantas aromáticas pueden afectar el rendimiento y la calidad de su aceite esencial. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto del método de secado y las condiciones de almacenamiento sobre el rendimiento y la composición del aceite esencial en las hojas de Eugenia uniflora. El aceite esencial se extrajo de hojas secas a temperatura ambiente y a 45°C durante seis períodos de secado (0, 6, 24, 48, 72 y 96 horas). El rendimiento del aceite esencial también se analizó después de 0, 60, 120 y 180 días de almacenamiento en tres tipos de envases. El aceite se extrajo por hidrodestilación y la composición se determinó por cromatografía de gases - espectrometría de masas. Los resultados mostraron que el secado de las hojas a temperatura ambiente y 45°C durante 48 y 24 h, respectivamente, aumentó el rendimiento del aceite esencial. A 45°C, los compuestos de monoterpeno y sesquiterpeno aumentaron, con curzereno + viridifloreno identificado como los compuestos principales. Los tipos de paquetes no afectaron el rendimiento del aceite esencial, pero el aumento del período de almacenamiento lo disminuyó.

Phenology and production potential studies are important to choose the cultivars more adapted to the climatic conditions of a region. The objective of this work was to evaluate the phenology, productivity and fruit quality of blueberry cultivars in subtropical climate of altitude, in three production cycles (2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015). Eight cultivars from rabbiteye (Aliceblue, Bluebelle, Bluegem, Briteblue, Climax, Delite, Powderblue and Woodard) and two from highbush (Georgiagem and O'Neal) groups was evaluated. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four replications and six plants per plot, with four useful plants. The beginning and the end of flowering, beginning and end of harvest, production, berry weight, berry size, pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio and skin color of blueberries were evaluated. The cultivars had flowering period from July to September, and concentrated harvest in November and December. ‘Bluegem’ presented the highest yields in the three evaluated cycles, reaching the production of 1215 g plant-1 in the third cycle. This cultivar also showed low acidity and high ratio. Berry size, pH and soluble solids contents were very close with some variations among the cultivars, in the three cycles evaluated. Coloring of the fruit presented few variations over the years of assessment. The most productive blueberry cultivar is the Bluegem, followed by cultivars Climax, Delite and Powderblue, of rabbiteye group, demonstrating better fit for cultivation in subtropical climate of altitude.

Pittosporum undulatum (Australian cheesewood) is considered an ornamental species with high invasive potential, due to its strong adaptation capacity to colonize different habitats. Aiming to support controlling management actions, a review of its botanical, ecological, ethnobotanical and silvicultural aspects are presented. Control programs should include this type of information to ensure that the limited resources devoted to this issue will be efficiently allocated. It is important to address holistically the causes of the invasion, particularly the role of the original structure and functional changes imposed on ecosystems and their processes, since colonization by invasive species. RESUMO Pittosporum undulatum (pau-incenso) é considerada espécie ornamental de elevado potencial invasor, dada sua grande capacidade de adaptação para colonizar habitats diversos. Visando a subsidiar ações de manejo para o seu controle, apresenta-se revisão sobre aspectos botânicos, ecológicos, etnobotânicos e silviculturais relacionados a esta espécie. Programas de controle devem incluir este tipo de informações de modo a assegurar que os limitados recursos destinados a esta questão sejam eficazmente alocados. Ressalta-se a importância de abordar de forma holística as causas da invasão, particularmente o papel da estrutura original e modificações funcionais impostas sobre os ecossistemas e seus processos, desde a colonização pela espécie invasora.

RESUMEN A pesar de la importancia económica de la lechuga, no hay estudios que hayan analizado la diversidad de especies asociadas a este cultivo que podrían contribuir al manejo ecológico de los artrópodos fitófagos y moluscos. Este estudio tuvo como finalidad determinar las especies predominantes de artrópodos y moluscos en dos cultivares de lechuga (Veronica de hoja rizada y Elisa de hoja lisa). De un total de 9.638 ejemplares de artrópodos y moluscos se identificaron 27 especies comunes, 17 fueron clasificados como especies accesorias y dos especies, como accidentales. Se identificaron siete especies de áfidos, siendo Nasonovia ribisnigri, Uroleucon sonchi, Uroleucon ambrosiae, las más frecuentes. En trips se identificaron tres especies, siendo las más frecuentes Caliothrips phaseoli y Frankliniella schultzei. Otros artrópodos fitófagos y moluscos fueron identificados en frecuencias por debajo del 10%. Entre los enemigos naturales, se identificaron depredadores de las familias Syrphidae (2,74%), Coccinellidae (1,66%), Staphylinidae (0,79%) y Carabidae (0,17%) y parasitoides del orden Hymenoptera (0,93%). De las muestras totales recolectadas, 53.87% se consideran especies de fitófagos, principalmente áfidos (40.82%), seguido por trips (11,35%). El áfido N. ribisnigri fue la principal especie plaga ya que forma colonias en la cabeza de lechuga y puede propagar virus en las plantas. Los fitófagos prefieren las lechugas de hojas lisas por sobre las rizadas. ABSTRACT Despite the economic importance of lettuce, no studies have examined the diversity of species associated with this crop that could contribute to the development of an ecological management of phytophagous arthropods and mollusks. This study was aimed at determining the predominant species of arthropods and mollusks in two lettuce cultivars (curly-leaf Veronica and smooth-leaf Elisa). A total of 9,638 specimens of arthropods and mollusks was collected and identified to 27 constant species, 17 classified as accessory and two as accidental species. Seven species of aphids were identified, with Nasonovia ribisnigri, Uroleucon sonchi, and Uroleucon ambrosiae as the most frequent, as well as three species of thrips, predominantly Caliothripsphaseoli and Frankliniella schultzei. Other phytophagous arthropods and mollusks occurred at frequencies below 10%. Among natural enemies, predators of the families Syrphidae (2.74%), Coccinellidae (1.66%), Staphylinidae (0.79%) and Carabidae (0.17%) and parasitoids of the order Hymenoptera (0.93%) were observed. Of the total specimens collected, 53.87% are considered phytophagous species, mostly aphids (40.82%), followed by thrips (11.35%). The aphid N. ribisnigri was the main pest species, as it forms colonies in the lettuce head and can spread plant viruses. Phytophagous pests preferred smooth over curly leaves.

The goal of this study was to increase the fresh-cut zucchini shelf-life with glutamic acid biofertilizer. Treatments consisted of foliar applications of aqueous solutions of the bacterial fermentation containing 30% L-glutamic acid, at 14th, 21st, 28th, and 35th days after transplanting, at 0.2 and 0.4 mL L-1, 100 mL per plant of 7 days, starting at 14 days after transplant during the whole cycle (42 days). Zucchini fruits were pre-selected, sanitized and minimally processed into strips. Fruits were weighed (100 g) and placed into plastic bags of low density polyethylene (70 um). After sealing bags were stored. Plastic bags were kept at 6 ± 1 °C and 95% relativity humidity. Weight loss, soluble solids content, pH, titratable acidity, and color were performed at regular intervals of two days during eight days. To increase the fresh-cut zucchini shelf-life it is recommended to apply 0.4 mL L-1 glutamic acid biofertilizer. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el aumento de la vida útil del fruto de calabacín cortado fresco con el uso de ácido glutámico. Los tratamientos consistieron en aplicaciones foliares de soluciones acuosas de la fermentación bacteriana de ácido L-glutámico 30%, a los 14, 21, 28 y 35 días después del trasplante, en diferentes concentraciones (0,2 y 0,4 mL L-1), cada aplicación fue de 100 mL. La primera aplicación foliar fue después de 14 días de realizado el trasplante en campo. En un ciclo total de 42 días. Posteriormente fueron preseleccionados los frutos, desinfectados y mínimamente procesados en tiras. Se usaron 100 g de fruto, colocados en bolsas de plástico de polietileno de baja densidad (70 fim), selladas y almacenadas a 6 ± 1 °C con humedad relativa del 95%. Fue medido el peso, contenido de sólidos solubles, pH, acidez titulable y color, en intervalos regulares de dos días durante un total de ocho días. Se concluye que para aumentar la vida útil del calabacín recién cortado se recomienda aplicar 0,4 mL L-1 de ácido glutámico.