MSW Compost Application on Tomato Crops in Mediterranean Conditions: Effects on Agronomic Performance and Nitrogen Utilization

A two-year field experiment (2001 and 2003) was carried out in a Mediterranean environment to study the effects of municipal solid waste (MSW) compost application compared with mineral nitrogen (N) fertilization on the agronomic performance and N utilization of a tomato crop, in rotation with durum wheat. The research was conducted in the south of Italy where five N treatments and two soil tillage depths (40-45 cm and 10-15 cm) were compared. The N treatments were: MSW compost at 140 kg ha^?1 (Ncom); mineral N fertilizer at 140 kg ha^?1 (Nmin); MSW compost combined with mineral N fertilizer (Nmix) (70 kg ha^?1 as organic N plus 70 kg ha^?1 as mineral N); mineral N fertilizer at 70 kg ha^?1 combined with two applications of foliar fertilizer (Nfito) (3 kg ha^?1 as hydrolyzed proteins), and an untreated control (Contr). During cropping cycles, growth parameters and plant N status (SPAD readings and petiole nitrate content) were determined; at harvest the marketable, overripe, green fruit, total yield, yield components, quality performance, total and fruit N uptake, and N efficiency were recorded. In addition, at the beginning and at the end of the two-year experiment, soil chemical characteristics and mineral N was measured, allowing for the calculation of the mineral N deficit in the soil. The results of this research indicate that the application of MSW compost to tomato plants can serve as a N source in Mediterranean conditions, especially when MSW compost is combined with mineral N fertilizer and deeper soil tillage is applied. In fact, deeper soil tillage increased total yield 7.0 t ha^?1 compared to surface tillage, whereas soil amended with MSW compost increased total yield compared to the untreated control by approximately 6.4% when used alone and 11.1% when combined with mineral N fertilizer. Nitrogen utilization parameters and Harvest Index varied significantly across years and N treatments. Petiole nitrate content and SPAD readings did not vary between Nmin and Nmix treatments, but they were significantly different from the untreated control. This indicates that plant N status was an effective tool to monitor N supply. After the two-year experiment, the Nmix treatment was statistically not significant in total yield (86.1 and 88.2 t ha^?1, respectively), marketable yield (66.9 and 67.7 t ha^?1) and quality compared to the Nmin treatment. Furthermore, the Nmix treatment ensured the least N deficit in the soil, indicating that MSW applications were effectively used as alternative organic supplements. Finally, the results indicated a positive effect of MSW application on organic carbon content in the soil and did not show any significant increase of the heavy metals at the end of the two-year experiment.     

Potential synergistic effect of Melia azedarach fruit extract and Beauveria bassiana in the control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) in cattle infestations

The use of a concentrate emulsion of Melia azedarach green fruits and a suspension of the fungus Beauveria bassiana was evaluated in the control of Rhipicephalus microplus on artificially infested cattle. The evaluation was conducted following the protocol established by the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry. Five groups of 4 or 5 animals were allocated to one of the following treatments: emulsion concentrate of M. azedarach at 0.25% (T AZED 0.25%), emulsion concentrate of M. azedarach at 0.5% (T AZED 0.5%), B. bassiana at 2.4 × 10(8) conidia (T BASS), association of the concentrate of M. azedarach at 0.25% with B. bassiana at 2.4 × 10(8) conidia (T AZED 0.25%+BASS), and control (untreated). The association of the two compounds provided better results than any one isolated treatment, indicating compatibility or perhaps a synergy between M. azedarach and B. bassiana. This treatment resulted in fewer engorged females (129 ± 70) than in the control group (233 ± 82), showing high performance against all developmental stages of the tick. Results revealed an apparent synergistic effect of M. azedarach and B. bassiana in the control of R. microplus that should be further investigated.     

Cell Response Associated to NaCI Effect in a Freshwater Telecost Epidermis

Sixteen adult fresh water teleosts ( Pimelodus maculatus) were used in an examination of the effect of salt water on the ultrastructure of the epidermis. Six animals were treated for 3 hours with 2% saline and six were treated with 1% saline for 8 hours. No diffrenences between treated groups were noted. Four animals served as untreated controls. Both transmission and freeze-facture electonmicroscopy was utilized in examining the epidermis.
The significant alterations in epidermis were observed within the superficial cell layer, in which a decreased density of micropolicae occurred, suggesting streching of the cell surface. An increased intercellular space was also observed in this layer. The cells demonstrated an increase in intracytoplasmic vesicles, and an enhancement of Golgi membranes in treated animals as compared to untreated animals.     

Ventral Decompression of the Canine Spinal Cord Using the 3–M Perforator

The use of an air powered automatic trephine (3-M Perforator) for performing ventral decompression of the canine spinal cord was evaluated based on its use in 5 experimental dogs. The problems of hemorrhage and spinal cord trauma encountered in this study are discussed and indicate little practical application of the instrument in decompression from the ventral approach.