Glyphosate sustainability in South American cropping systems

South America represents about 12% of the global land area, and Brazil roughly corresponds to 47% of that. The major sustainable agricultural system in South America is based on a no-tillage cropping system, which is a worldwide adopted agricultural conservation system. Societal benefits of conservation systems in agriculture include greater use of conservation tillage, which reduces soil erosion and associated loading of pesticides, nutrients and sediments into the environment. However, overreliance on glyphosate and simpler cropping systems has resulted in the selection of tolerant weed species through weed shifts (WSs) and evolution of herbicide-resistant weed (HRW) biotypes to glyphosate. It is a challenge in South America to design herbicide- and non-herbicide-based strategies that effectively delay and/or manage evolution of HRWs and WSs to weeds tolerant to glyphosate in cropping systems based on recurrent glyphosate application, such as those used with glyphosate-resistant soybeans. The objectives of this paper are (i) to provide an overview of some factors that influence WSs and HRWs to glyphosate in South America, especially in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay soybean cropped areas; (ii) to discuss the viability of using crop rotation and/or cover crops that might be integrated with forage crops in an economically and environmentally sustainable system; and (iii) to summarize the results of a survey of the perceptions of Brazilian farmers to problems with WSs and HRWs to glyphosate, and the level of adoption of good agricultural practices in order to prevent or manage it.     

Effects of Sewage on the Chemical Composition of Piracicaba River,Brazil

Water samples were collected from 7 locations along major rivers of Piracicaba River basin for 22 months. The 4 upstream points represent non-polluted sites and the 3 downriver points represent polluted sites. Due to sewage input, concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), major conservative cations and anions increased significantly in the polluted sites. The major increases were observed for sodium, chloride and sulfate. Nitrate was an exception for this pattern, with similar concentrations between polluted and non-polluted sites. The probable cause was reduction of nitrate to ammonium in the polluted sites, where anoxic conditions prevail. Most of the variables had an inverse correlation with water discharge, especially in the polluted points. The sewage load was diluted by precipitation and surface waters.     

Field and laboratory selection of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) for resistance to insecticides

Response of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), to selection for resistance to insecticides commonly used to control this pest in Murcia (south-east Spain) was studied under field and laboratory conditions. In the field, plots within sweet pepper crops in commercial and experimental greenhouses were treated under different selection strategies: insecticide rotation versus formetanate reiteration, formetanate reiteration versus acrinathrin reiteration, and formetanate reiteration versus methiocarb reiteration. Thrips populations were sampled monthly and bioassayed against methiocarb, methamidophos, acrinathrin, endosulfan, deltamethrin and formetanate. In the laboratory, F occidentalis strains were selected against each insecticide for several generations. To evaluate cross-resistance, each selected strain was bioassayed with the other insecticides. Frankliniella occidentalis populations showed a rapid development of acrinathrin resistance, reaching high levels in field and laboratory conditions. Formetanate and methiocarb resistance were also observed, although development was slower and at moderate levels. Cross-resistances between acrinathrin/deltamethrin and acrinathrin/formetanate were detected under field and laboratory conditions. Formetanate/methiocarb cross-resistance was suspected in laboratory selections, but not in field assays. Simultaneous moderate resistance levels to the three specific insecticides against thrips (formetanate, methiocarb and acrinathrin) were shown in laboratory selection strains, indicating a general mechanism of resistance, probably metabolic.     

Synthesis and insecticidal activity of new amide derivatives of piperine

The natural lipophilic amides piperine and piperiline were isolated from Piper nigrum L (Piperaceae). Piperine was hydrolysed into piperic acid (85% yield) which was converted into 16 amides (28–89% yield). The contact toxicity of all synthetic amides, and also that of piperine and piperiline, at the dose 10 µg per insect, was evaluated for the Brazilian economically important insects Ascia monuste orseis Latr, Acanthoscelides obtectus Say, Brevicoryne brassicae L, Protopolybia exigua DeSaus and Cornitermes cumulans Kollar. The results demontrated that the insects have different sensivities to the various amides, with mortality ranging from 0 to 97.5% according to the compound and insect species. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Intensity of browsing on trees and shrubs under experimental variation of cattle stocking densities in southern Bolivia

Mountain forests are traditionally used for cattle grazing during the dry season in southern Bolivia. To evaluate browsing intensity and damage to young trees and shrubs, a forest grazing area was monitored for about 3 months in both 2006 and 2007. Three similar paddocks of about 3 ha each, consisting of grassland and forest in a ratio of about 1:3 were stocked with 0.9, 1.6 and 2.6 tropical livestock units per ha (equivalents of 250 kg of body weight), reflecting low, medium and high stocking densities. Six 5 m × 5 m plots were mapped out within each paddock in 2006. Three additional plots per paddock were added in 2007. Within plots, the individuals of 18 woody species were coded and evaluated weekly for intensity of browsing. Intensity was quantified using five-scale categories reflecting the proportions of plant tissue removed (0 = no browsing, 1 = 1–25%, 2 = 26–50%, 3 = 51–75% and 4 = 76–100%). Across all plant species, the average category of browsing intensity, as determined in the post-grazing evaluation, was affected (P < 0.001) by stocking density. Browsing intensity increased in an approximately linear manner from 1.58 to 2.18 and 2.77 with low, medium and high stocking density, respectively. There was no significant difference between years. Most woody species followed the same general response pattern to stocking density, although some species were only noticeably browsed at high stocking density while a few others were intensively browsed at all stocking densities. The onset of browsing on woody species was observed only after some weeks had passed, indicating that herbaceous plants were preferred as a forage resource. The proportion of fatally damaged individuals, as assessed about 8 months after grazing in 2006, were 10.6%, 8.6% and 11.4% for low, medium and high stocking density, respectively. The percentage of completely browsed individuals increased with stocking density, but 80% of those plant individuals recovered following a resting period of 8 months. However, although most woody species recovered from browsing and fatal damage was infrequent, long-term changes in woody plant species composition and structure caused by grazing cannot be excluded. High stocking density in particular may reduce the vigour of heavily browsed species.     

Effects of progestagen exposure duration on estrus synchronization and conception rates of crossbreed ewes undergoing fixed time artificial insemination

Synchronization of estrus and ovulation are of paramount importance in modern livestock improvement programs. These methods are critical for assisted reproduction technologies, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer, that can increase productivity. In the current study, subcutaneous implants containing norgestomet were placed for long (14 days), medium (9 days), and short (5 days) periods of time in 70 crossbred ewes undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination. The resulting effects on estrus synchronization and conception rates were subsequently evaluated. Among the synchronized ewes, 85.7% (60/70) underwent estrus over a period of 72 h after progestagen treatment ceased. The shortest mean interval between withdrawal of the device and onset of estrus (34.2 ± 8.9 h) was observed in the G14 days of P4 group (p < 0.05). The conception rate of the G14 days of P4 group was statistically higher than that of the other groups (83.3% vs. 60.9% vs. 47.8%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, 14 days of norgestomet treatment produced higher conception rates and a greater number of pregnancies at the beginning of the breeding season.     

Canopy structure analysis for estimating forest regeneration dynamics and growth in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nothofagus pumilio</Emphasis> forests

•Introduction   

Silviculture systems applied in Nothofagus pumilio forests are based on opening the canopy to stimulate natural regeneration by modifying light and soil moisture. The objective is to evaluate regeneration dynamics of N. pumilio along different forest canopy and solar radiation gradients.     

Relationships between reflectance and absorbance chlorophyll indices with RGB (Red,Green, Blue) image components in seedlings of tropical tree species at nursery stage

Methods based on RGB (Red, Green, Blue) image segmentation may emerge as a new and low-cost method for estimation the quality of tree seedlings. However, the vast number of indexes based on the use of the RGB image segmentation and the lack of references in the literature still hinder the widespread use of this technology. Thus, we conducted a study aiming to test the relationships between methods based on absorbance and reflectance, widely used for the estimation of chlorophyll contents and physiological status of trees, and ten indexes based on RGB component analysis. We used leaves of five tropical tree species, belonging to different botanical families. Leaf absorbance was measured using the handheld chlorophyll meter SPAD-502, reflectance was measured using a spectrometer and the RGB indices were obtained from digitalized images of the leaves using a flatbed scanner. Modified linear regression models including all five species were used to relate RGB indices to absorbance and reflectance indices. Data collected from leaves of seedlings of five tropical tree species indicated that digital image processing technology can be a useful and rapid nondestructive method for assessment of physiological status of tree seedlings at nursery stage. Among the RGB indexes tested in this study the R, 2R*(G???B)/(G?+?B) and 2G*(G???B)/(G?+?B) are the most promising for analysis the tropical seedlings physiological status and quality.

     

Applied research on multiple land use through silvopastoral system in Southern Chile

In 1977 a silvopastoral system was started in a 8.5 há farm with the typical soil characteristics of the coastal ranges of Southern Chile, planted with Radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don) 2/0, with a 2.5 × 7 m spacing. The sheep management system began in June 1979.The stocking rate varied from 6 to 8 sheep per há, the ewe breeds were Romney, Suffolk × Romney, with Suffolk or Romney rams. During the 1979–1982 period ratational grazing in four paddocks with native pasture and subterranean was used. Starting from June 1982 pasture area had increased to 12 há.Forage was not conserved. Overnight, sheep were kept loose on a slatted floor sheep house.D.M./há availability, sheep and lamb weight, reproduction and growth of lambs, show that the system is feasible and practical. The 1980 production was 214 kg of live weight/há; 248kg/há in 1981; 171 for 1982, and 207 for 1983. During these years the mean wool production was between 3.5 to 4 kg per sheep.The economic results f the system are attractive as to improve farmers' income, also preventing erosion, allowing a means to promote development of an important area in Southern Chile.The research project is still in progress.