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Soil microorganism biomass is an important soil quality indicator. The microbial biomass of soil was determined by killing and lysing the soil microbes by fumigation with chloroform, irradiation with gamma rays, or irradiation with microwaves. Four soils with increasing carbon concentrations (5, 10, 15, and 30 g kg-1) were analyzed using four methods: the direct application of chloroform, chloroform fumigation, microwave irradiation, and gamma ray irradiation with radiation doses of 15, 25, 35, 45, and 60 KGy. The fungi and bacteria in the soil were quantified by plate counting. Microwave irradiation and gamma irradiation with doses equal to or above 25 KGy killed all the soil microorganisms, but the chloroform methods did not. The carbon liberation increased with higher gamma doses, while the microbe mortality rates were the same, indicating that carbon was liberated from organic matter sources other than microorganisms. The biomasses determined by the microwave method correlated with those determined by the fumigation and 25 KGy gamma irradiation methods, but their values differed among all methods for at least one soil type. Despite this discrepancy, all methods were consistent in ranking microbial biomasses in increasing order of soil carbon concentrations, which corresponds with decreasing land use intensities. RESUMO. A biomassa dos microrganismos do solo é um importante indicador da qualidade ambiental. Esta biomassa é determinada matando os microrganismos por fumigação com clorofórmio, irradiações gama ou micro-ondas. Quatro solos com concentrações crescentes de carbono (5, 10, 15 e 30 g kg-1) foram submetidos a quatro métodos: clorofórmio fumigação ou aplicação direta; irradiação em micro-ondas; e irradiação gama de 15, 25, 35, 45 e 60 KGy. Fungos e bactérias foram quantificados por contagem em placa. Micro-ondas e irradiação gama ≥ 25 Gy mataram todos os microrganismos, mas não os métodos com clorofórmio. O C liberado aumentou com as doses de irradiação, apesar da mortalidade semelhante, indicando liberação de C da matéria orgânica além da microbiana sobrestimando a biomassa microbiana. As biomassas determinadas com micro-ondas correlacionaram-se com as da fumigação e irradiação com 25 KGy mas os valores diferiram entre os métodos em pelo menos um solo. Apesar da discrepância entre métodos, todos foram consistentes em ranquear as biomassas em ordem crescente das concentrações de C do solo, que corresponde a intensidades de uso decrescentes.

The effect of the plant resistance inducer acibenzolar-S-methyl on in vitro mycelial growth and sporulation of Curvularia eragrostides was evaluated, as well as the time and dosage of its application for the pathosystem yam x C. eragrostides. Five concentrations: 250; 125; 62.50; 31.25 and 15.12 ppm were evaluated for mycelial growth and sporulation of C. eragrostides. The ASM was sprayed onto the leaves of yam plants, at a concentration of 10 g, 20 g, and 30 g of the active ingredient (i.a.) per 100 liters of water, at time intervals of 10, 15, and 30 days before pathogen inoculation. Mycelial growth and sporulation of C. eragrostides was not affect by ASM, at the concentrations of 62.5; 31.25, and 15.12 ppm. Application of ASM was most effective at the dose of 15 g a.i./100 l of water, at 15 days before pathogen inoculation, providing protection against C. eragrostides, with a decrease of up to 76.15 % in yam leaf spot severity.

The diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be a critical factor in enhancing both the productivity and the diversity of plants in ecosystems, and the plants in the ecosystem also strongly influence the occurrence of these fungi. The relationships between different land use systems and AMF communities in the semi-arid region of the State of Paraíba, NE Brazil were evaluated. The experiment followed a split-plot randomized block design, with four replicates. The main plots were defined by the presence or absence of trees (gliricidia and maniçoba), while the split plots were defined by three land use systems: 1) traditional cropping of maize + beans, 2) buffel grass pasture, and 3) prickly pear forage crop. The presence of trees increased sporulation, mycorrhizal colonization and the production of infective propagules of AMF in all three land use systems. Greater production of glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) occurred in the prickly pear plots regardless of the presence or absence of trees. Species belonging to the Glomus genus predominated regardless of the presence of trees, land use systemor soil sampling period. A diversidade de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) pode ser um fator crucial para aumentar a produtividade e diversidade de plantas nos ecossistemas, e em contrapartida, as plantas também influenciam fortemente a ocorrência desses fungos. Foi avaliada a relação entre diferentes sistemas de uso da terra e as comunidades de FMA na região semi-árida do Estado da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. O experimento foi conduzido em esquema de parcelas subdividas em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A presença ou ausência de árvores (gliricídia e maniçoba) foram parcelas principais e três sistemas de uso da terra foram as subparcelas: 1) cultivo tradicional de milho + feijão; 2) pastagem de capim buffel e 3) cultivo de palma forrageira. A presença das árvores aumentou a colonização micorrízica, esporulação e produção de propágulos de FMA em todos os três sistemas de uso da terra. Houve maior produção de proteínas do solo relacionadas à glomalina pelos FMA em parcelas com o cultivo de palma forrageira, independentemente da presença das árvores. Espécies de FMA pertencentes ao gênero Glomus predominaram independentemente da presença das árvores, do sistema de uso da terra e do período de amostragem do solo.

The effect of organic manure on the community of mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was evaluated in maize, cowpea and cotton intercropping systems in a semi-arid region of Brazil over two consecutive years. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with four replicates and six soil treatments: (M) goat manure incorporated in the soil before planting; (G) gliricidia prunings incorporated before planting; (M+G) manure and gliricidia incorporated before planting; (GS) gliricidia applied on the soil surface 45 days after planting; (M+GS) manure incorporated before planting and gliricidia applied to the surface 45 days after planting; and (C) control treatment without incorporation. It was not possible to identify the best treatment for both years in terms of spore density, mycorrhizal colonization and glomalin content. However, there was a significant effect from the fertilization treatments when compared to the control in most treatments. In both years, M+GS favored glomalin and AMF sporulation in the cotton plots. In the second year, which had low rainfall, there was an increase in production of spores, glomalin, colonization and AMF species richness irrespective of soil incorporation and culture. Plots that were fertilized with manure presented greater AMF species richness regardless of the year and crop type. O efeito da adubação orgânica sobre a comunidade de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) em sistemas consorciados com milho, feijão e algodão foi avaliado no semi-árido paraibano, ao longo de dois anos. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições e seis tratamentos: (M) esterco incorporado no solo antes do plantio; (G) ramas de gliricídia incorporadas antes do plantio; (M+G) esterco e gliricídia incorporados no solo antes do plantio; (GS) gliricídia aplicada em cobertura 45 dias após o plantio; (M+GS) esterco incorporado antes do plantio e gliricídia aplicada em cobertura 45 dias após o plantio; (C) tratamento controle. Não foi possível identificar um melhor tratamento, em ambos os anos, em termos de densidade de esporos, colonização micorrízica e teor de glomalina. Entretanto, houve efeito significativo das incorporações na maioria dos tratamentos quando comparados ao controle. Em ambos os anos, M+GS favoreceu a produção de glomalina e a esporulação de FMA no sistema com algodoeiro. No segundo ano, de poucas chuvas, houve aumentos na produção de esporos, glomalina, colonização e riqueza de espécies de FMA, independentemente do efeito das incorporações e da cultura. Os tratamentos com esterco apresentaram maior riqueza de espécies, independentemente do ano e da cultura.

Os estreptomicetos são conhecidos pela produção de metabólitos secundários, como antibióticos e enzimas extracelulares, que atuam na degradação de moléculas complexas e recalcitrantes, desempenhando papel importante nos processos de compostagem. Neste sentido, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da inoculação e incubação de solo com isolados de estreptomicetos, no crescimento inicial de mudas de tomateiro, foram avaliados seis isolados de estreptomicetos, mais o controle não inoculado. O solo foi inoculado com os estreptomicetos e incubado por 20 dias, antes do plantio. Após 30 dias, as mudas foram coletadas para determinação da altura, diâmetro do caule, massa seca da parte aérea e raízes e acúmulo de nutrientes na parte aérea. Os isolados de estreptomicetos promoveram incrementos significativos no crescimento e acúmulo de nutrientes, nas mudas de tomateiro. Acredita-se que a incubação do solo, por 35 dias, antes do plantio, garanta o tempo necessário para que os estreptomicetos atuem na mineralização da matéria orgânica, disponibilizando nutrientes para o crescimento das plantas. Streptomycetes are known for producing secondary metabolites, such as antibiotics and extracellular enzymes, that act in the degradation of complex and recalcitrant molecules, playing an important role in composting processes. Thus, to evaluate the effect of soil inoculation and incubation with streptomycete isolates, in the initial growth stage of tomato seedlings, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with six streptomycete isolates and a non-inoculated control. The soil was inoculated and incubated for 20 days, before planting. After 30 days, the seedlings were collected for determination of seedling height, stem diameter, dry weight of shoots and roots, and nutrients accumulation in shoots. The streptomycete isolates promoted significant increments in the growth and nutrients contents of tomato seedlings. It is suggested that the 35-days incubation period of the inoculated soil, before planting, promotes the time necessary for the streptomycetes to act in the mineralization of soil organic matter, providing nutrients for plants growth.

Actinomycetes are important plant disease control and growth promotion agents, which makes it necessary to develop technology to produce large quantities of inoculum for green-house and field work. The present study had the objective of evaluating the growth of several isolates of Streptomyces in sterile rice for inoculum production. The sterile rice was inoculated with isolates of S. thermotolerans, S. griseus subsp. griseus, Streptomyces sp. N0035, S. purpurascens, and Streptomyces sp., and incubated at 28 ± 2ºC. Five days after its inoculation, mycelial growth and sporulation was observed for all Streptomyces isolates on the rice grains. Twelve days after incubation, the colonized rice was transferred to envelopes of dark brown paper and let to dry in an incubator at 30ºC for three days. After drying, 1g of colonized rice was added to 200 mL of sterile distilled water and the number of spores was counted under a microscope with a Newbauer counting chamber. Spore production varied from 0.14 × 10(9) to 1.47 × 10(9) spores per gram of rice and differed among the Streptomyces species. Sterile rice can be an alternative substrate for low cost mass production of Streptomyces inoculum.

Actinomycetes are important plant disease control and growth promotion agents, which makes it necessary to develop technology to produce large quantities of inoculum for green-house and field work. The present study had the objective of evaluating the growth of several isolates of Streptomyces in sterile rice for inoculum production. The sterile rice was inoculated with isolates of S. thermotolerans, S. griseus subsp. griseus, Streptomyces sp. N0035, S. purpurascens, and Streptomyces sp., and incubated at 28 ± 2ºC. Five days after its inoculation, mycelial growth and sporulation was observed for all Streptomyces isolates on the rice grains. Twelve days after incubation, the colonized rice was transferred to envelopes of dark brown paper and let to dry in an incubator at 30ºC for three days. After drying, 1g of colonized rice was added to 200 mL of sterile distilled water and the number of spores was counted under a microscope with a Newbauer counting chamber. Spore production varied from 0.14 × 10(9) to 1.47 × 10(9) spores per gram of rice and differed among the Streptomyces species. Sterile rice can be an alternative substrate for low cost mass production of Streptomyces inoculum. Os actinomicetos são importantes agentes de controle biológico de doenças e promoção de crescimento de plantas, tornando necessária a obtenção de grandes quantidades de inóculo para trabalhos em casa-de-vegetação e campo. No presente trabalho, avaliou-se o crescimento de diversas espécies de Streptomyces em arroz esterilizado para a produção de inoculo. O arroz foi inoculado com isolados de S. thermotolerans, S. griseus subsp. griseus, Streptomyces sp. N0035, S. purpurascens e Streptomyces sp. e incubado a 28 ± 2ºC. Cinco dias após a incubação, para todos os isolados de Streptomyces, o crescimento micelial e esporulação eram visíveis nos grãos de arroz. Doze dias após incubação, o arroz colonizado foi transferido para envelopes de papel pardo e colocado em estufa a 30ºC por três dias. Após secagem, adicionou-se 1 g do arroz em 200 mL de água e fez-se a contagem de esporos por grama de arroz, em câmara de Newbauer. A produção de esporos de Streptomyces sp. variou de 0,14 × 10(9) a 1,47 × 10(9) esporos por grama de arroz e variou entre as espécies de Streptomyces. O arroz esterilizado é um substrato viável para a produção massal, de baixo custo, de inóculo de estreptomicetos.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito nematostático e nematicida de extratos aquosos de bulbilhos de alho (Allium sativum L.), folhas de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz), folhas e sementes de mamão (Carica papaya L.), folhas de hortelã (Mentha piperita L.) e casca de gliricídia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud.) em Scutellonema bradys, agente causal da casca-preta do inhame (Dioscorea cayennensis Lam.). Todos os extratos vegetais inibiram a mobilidade e causaram mortalidade ao fitonematóide. Os extratos de hortelã e de mandioca causaram menos de 45% de mortalidade a S. bradys. As maiores porcentagens de mortalidade são causadas pelos extratos de sementes e folhas do mamoeiro e pelos bulbilhos de alho. The objective of this work was to evaluate the nematostatic and nematicide effect of aqueous extracts from garlic bulbs (Allium sativum L.), cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) leaves, papaya (Carica papaya L.) leaves and seeds, mentha (Mentha piperita L.) leaves, and gliricídia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud.) tree bark to Scutellonema bradys, the causal agent of yam (Dioscorea cayennensis Lam.) dry rot. All plant extracts inhibited the mobility and caused mortality to S. bradys. Mentha and cassava extracts cause less than 45% mortality to S. bradys. The highest percentages of mortality are caused by extracts from papaya seeds and leaves, and garlic bulbs.