Brazilian Semiarid Research Articles

Effect of grazing management strategies on the yield and nutritional value of Marandu grass in the semiarid of Brazil

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two grazing management strategies on structural, productive and nutritional parameters of Marandu grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu). A completely randomized block design with two pasture management strategies and eight replications (blocks) was used. The grazing management strategies were: (1) low intensity rotational grazing (LI), with a pre-grazing sward height of 40 cm and a post-grazing sward height of 24 cm, i.e., a defoliation intensity of 50%; (2) High intensity rotational grazing (HI), with a pre-grazing sward height of 40 cm and a post-grazing sward height of 10 cm (±70% defoliation intensity). Pastures were sampled before and after grazing for estimation of forage mass, forage accumulation rate, structural characteristics, nutritional value and dry matter intake.The LI strategy resulted in higher dry matter production than HI before (18.33%) and after grazing (49.06%), increasing pre-grazing forage density by 13.21% (P < 0.05). The production of potentially digestible dry matter was highest (P < 0.05) in LI strategy (21.3% before and 39.6% after grazing, respectively). Higher post-grazing green forage mass (45%) increased the residual crude protein in LI. The LI management strategy increased forage mass production and can be used in Marandu grass pastures.

Macromineral requirements for gain of Dorper lambs with differences in residual feed intake and raised in Brazilian semiarid

The aim of this study was to determine the net requirements of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) for gain of high or low residual feed intake (RFI) Dorper lambs confined in full sun or shade. Sixty-four intact male Dorper lambs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 17.8 ± 2.43 kg and an average age of 70 ± 10 days were confined for 40 days to separate them into two groups (high or low RFI). Thereafter, a group of 4 animals (2 high RFI and 2 low RFI) were slaughtered to estimate initial empty body weight (EBW) and body composition of animals slaughtered at the end of the experiment. The 60 remaining lambs were distributed in a randomized block design, with a 2 × 2×3 factorial scheme, with two feedlot environments (full sun or shade, 30 animals in each), two groups of feed efficiency (high RFI or low RFI, 30 animals in each) and different levels of concentrate (30, 45 and 60 %), with 5 repetitions in each interactive treatment. The animals from each feedlot environment and from each RFI were distributed in three dietary treatments with different levels of concentrate to have different body compositions necessary to determine their macromineral requirements. The animals were confined for 60 days until slaughter. Neither RFI nor feedlot environment affected the net macromineral requirements for gain of Dorper lambs (P > 0.05). There was a decrease in net Ca, P and S requirements as fasting BW (FBW) increased from 20 to 40 kg (P < 0.05). However, the net requirements of these macrominerals for gain increased as average daily gain (ADG) increased from 100 to 300 g/day (P < 0.05). In contrast, the net Mg requirement for gain increased as both FBW and ADG increased (P < 0.05). The results showed that there was no significant effect of RFI and shade environment on the net requirements of macrominerals for weight gain of Dorper lambs. Possible differences could be in the dietary level or in the maintenance level. Therefore, further studies are needed to assess the effect of RFI and shade environment on the mineral requirements of lambs.

Diet of three sympatric Physalaemus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from the Brazilian semiarid region

&#x0D; Studies on the use of food resources and trophic niche of different species can help understand ecological relationships. In this study, we evaluated the diet of three sympatric species of Physalaemus from the Brazilian semiarid. We analyzed a total of 264 individuals, being 100 specimens of Physalaemus albifrons, 93 of P. cicada, and 71 of P. cuvieri. Seven prey categories were recorded: three for P. cicada and P. albifrons, and six distinct categories for P. cuvieri. The orders Coleoptera, Isoptera and the family Formicidae were the most representative categories in the diet of P. cicada, P. cuvieri, and P. albifrons, respectively. Although there is a high trophic niche overlap, differences in preference for food categories may reduce potential competition in these frog species from the Caatinga.&#x0D;

Sorption of sulfadiazine and flow modeling in an alluvial deposit of a dry riverbed in the Brazilian semiarid

The Brazilian semiarid region is subjected to irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts, and high temperatures, hampering the surface water accumulation. The water access is restricted to the alluvium in the valleys, which are used for cattle and poultry livestock development. These activities trigger the excessive use of veterinary antibiotics. As a consequence, antibiotics reach sediment surfaces and promote deterioration of groundwater quality. This work aims to evaluate the sorption potential of Sulfadiazine (SDZ) and to understand the dynamics of water transfer and solute transport processes in a typical alluvial deposit of the Capibaribe River, in the Agreste of Pernambuco. The sedimentological characterization was performed by Miall's Code, defining four lithofacies (Scm, Scm,b, Gcm,o, Scm,o). Kinetics and isotherms experiments allowed the analyses of SDZ sorption. Kinetics sorption showed an equilibrium tendency after 40 h and was better described by a second-order model, while isotherm sorption data were better fitted by the Freundlich model. According to the particle size distribution curve, Scm had the highest number of fine particles and organic matter, affecting interaction of SDZ in sediments. Consequently, SDZ sorption was slightly higher in this lithofacies. However, overall, SDZ sorption was low, thereby offering a real risk of groundwater contamination. For further investigation the dynamics of water transfer and solute transport in a heterogeneous alluvial deposit were simulated with the HYDRUS-2D. The structural heterogeneity influenced the spatial distribution of water storage under unsaturated conditions and provided the emergence of preferential flows. The solute dynamic follow a similar behavior of the water flow, due to the low retention of SDZ in the soil. Considering a condition near to saturation, the contrast of hydraulic and transport properties influences simultaneously in the processes of water transfer and solute transport.

Diet of a bromeligenous species of treefrog in the Brazilian semiarid.

Phyllodytes tuberculosus is a bromeligenous anuran species whose geographic distribution is restricted to areas of the Caatinga and to transition zones between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest in the central-south of the state of Bahia. Its existence in close relationship with bromeliads and its occurrence in dry and highly seasonal environments drove us to the supposition that species is opportunistic/generalist regard to diet. We collected the items present in the stomach of 43 P. tuberculosus individuals with stomach-flushing method. Of these, 18 stomach contents were obtained during the dry period (April-October), and 25 during the rainy period (November-March). We recorded nine classes of prey, finding the greatest relative importance for the categories Formicidae and Coleoptera in dry season and Blattodea (Termites), Formicidae and Coleoptera in the rainy season. Phyllodytes tuberculosus presented a varied, possibly opportunistic diet in semiarid environments. Additionally, we report an apparent temporal differentiation related to the typical Caatinga seasonality. This study adds to the data on the natural history of an anuran species adapted to a semiarid environment with a narrow geographic distribution.

Catole coconut (Syagrus cearensis) oil: physicochemical characterization and thermo-oxidative stability by TG/DTG/DTA and Rancimat

Vegetable oils are subjected to heat treatments during processing and changes during storage. Thus, it is required, for usage as a food source, the evaluation of their thermo-oxidative stability and physicochemical characteristics. In this context, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the oil of catole coconut (Syagrus cearensis), aiming to characterize its identity and quality, as well as its antioxidant capacity and thermo-oxidative stability. The catole coconut was collected in the city of Lagoa Seca-PB, Brazil, its almonds were dried in a stove and the catole oil was obtained by cold pressing. The results of the physicochemical parameters complied with the current legislation, with average values ​​of 2.48 mg KOH g−1 oil for acid value, 0.14 meq peroxide kg−1 oil for peroxide value and 253 mg KOH g−1 oil for saponification value. Catole oil presented the profile of saturated fatty acids (84.42%), with the predominance of lauric acid (45.06%), besides major phenolic compounds such as salicylic acid [12.324 mg (100 g−1) of oil] and myricetin [1.405 mg (100 g−1) of oil]. The thermogravimetric profile remained stable to decomposition at temperatures up to around 240 °C and oxidative stability withstood at 110 °C for more than 48 h. Therefore, it was possible to identify and characterize this unexplored oilseed species of the Brazilian semiarid, diversifying its use in the food industry.

Biomass of unconventional plants from Brazilian semiarid as substrate for hydrolytic enzymes production by Aspergillus niger under solid and submerged fermentation

Aspergillus niger KIJH was grown in solid and submerged fermentation using leaves and roots (with and without bark) of plants typically from Brazilian semiarid as substrate to produce a multienzymatic extract, which was characterised for its potential biotechnological applications. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) was applied to select the most promising plants biomass as induction substrates for the production of hydrolytic enzymes by fungus. The best biomasses were used as substrate in submerged fermentation (SmF) assays at two scales. Samples of up scale fermented culture were partially purified by ultrafiltration and activity and pH and temperature stability of CMCase and xylanase were evaluated. A. niger KIJH produced hydrolytic enzymes under SSF containing unconventional plants biomass from Brazilian semiarid. In SmF conditions, maximum CMCase (0.264 U mL-1) and xylanase (1.163 U mL-1) activities were induced by Jacaratia corumbensis. Scaling up the SmF to 500 mL of medium was able to maintain constant the production of CMCase (0.346 U mL-1) and xylanase (1.273 U mL-1) on the fermented culture. Ultrafiltered and concentrated extract presented CMCase activities practically constant in all temperature ranges (30-80°C) and pH (3.0-9.0), while xylanase optimum activity temperature was 50°C and pH in the range of 3.0 to 5.0. CMCase activity remained stable for 24 hours at 50°C and xylanase was reduced in 53% after two hours incubation at the same temperature. CMCase and xylanase obtained by A. niger KIJH cultivated in submerged culture containing J. corumbensis as carbon source may have application in biotechnology processes that require enzymes that remain active under routine extreme conditions.

Ecology of the lizard Gonatodes humeralis (Sphaerodactylidae) in a coastal area of the Brazilian semiarid: What differs from the Amazonian populations?

Information about the variation of biological attributes in species whose distribution covers more than one biome contributes to understanding phenotype variation in different environments. Herein, we evaluated how ecological aspects of the lizard Gonatodes humeralis vary between rainforest populations (Amazon domain) and a recently registered population in a coastal forest influenced by semiarid climate (Caatinga domain). We investigated body size, temperature, activity period, microhabitat use and diet of this species, testing the hypothesis that, compared to Amazonian populations, the Caatinga population would present a reduced body size, shortened activity period, exploration of a greater variety of microhabitats and a more diverse diet. In fact, we corroborated the predictions with respect to body size and diet. On the other hand, we observed a more conservative activity period and greater specialization in the use of microhabitats in the Caatinga population. Our findings contribute to understanding the variation in biological attributes between populations of species with wide distributions and reveal adjustments conducted by biotic and abiotic factors in different morphological, ecological and behavioral traits.

Association of Strymon serapio (Lycaenidae: Theclinae) and Castnia invaria (Castniidae: Castniini) with the Habitat-Forming Bromeliad Encholirium spectabile (Bromeliaceae: Pitcairnioideae) in the Brazilian Semiarid Caatinga

Bromeliads provide habitat and food resources for various organisms. Besides the nectar and pollen, the leaf and fruit tissues of these plants supply food for various animal groups. Among the groups that feed on bromeliads, herbivores are the ones that cause the most damage to these plants; among such organisms, some are well known, such as butterfly and moth caterpillars. Here we will describe some of the ecological relationships between the butterflies Strymon serapio and moths Castnia invaria in association with the rupicolous habitat-forming bromeliad Encholirium spectabile. In rocky outcrops of the Brazilian Semiarid Caatinga, S. serapio caterpillars were frequently observed in the blooms of E. spectabile and adults in the leaves, as well as adults of C. invaria. However, in C. invaria the larvae develop inside the bromeliads. Adults of both species were associated with E. spectabile throughout the year in the study area. We observed S. serapio eggs and larvae mainly during the beginning of the dry season, and the eggs of C. invaria, occur mainly during the rainy season. Regarding the daily activity period, the two species show diurnal habits. Caterpillars of S. serapio develop mutualistic relations with ants of the genus Crematogaster in the blooms of E. spectabile. This is the first record for this kind of ant-butterfly interactions taking place in Encholirum bromeliads, although they have already been cited for other species of Bromeliaceae. The record of these interactions in E. spectabile suggests that these bromeliads are relevant for local biodiversity, also regarding interactions with species of commercial interest, which use the E. spectabile as a host plant..

Nitrogen Stocks in Soil Classes Under Different Land Uses in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

Estimates of soil nitrogen (N) stocks are important for assessing potential nitrogen oxide emissions due to land-use changes and agricultural practices. No comprehensive data set exists for N stocks for the 850,000 km2 of the semiarid Brazilian northeastern region, according to land use and soil classes. Changes in N stocks due to the conversion of caatinga to pasture or agriculture, in different soil classes, were quantified in 201 soil profiles down to 1 m deep, except in shallower soils (Leptosols, 50 cm; Luvisols, and Planosols, 80 cm). Acrisols, Arenosols, and Regosols had the larger N stocks (8.07 to 9.72 Mg ha−1) than Ferralsols (6.10 Mg ha−1), whose stocks were similar to those of the shallower soils (5.87 to 6.72 Mg ha−1). The conversion of dense caatinga to agricultural fields caused reductions in 23% in N stocks. The soils of the semiarid Brazilian region accumulate 612 Tg of N in the top 1 m in the different classes of soils and land uses, being 226.8 Tg under dense caatinga, 145 Tg under open caatinga, 168 Tg under pastures, and 70 Tg under crop fields. This study contributes to elucidating N dynamics in different soil classes and land uses, and it is the most complete cover of soil N stocks in the semiarid region of Brazil. The results highlight the importance of preserving native vegetation and the need to identify and foster the adoption of agricultural management practices to maintain and restore soil N stocks.

Águas Inseguras? Monitoramento da qualidade da água estocada em cisternas no semiárido paraibano

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span class="fontstyle0"&gt;Cisterns are alternatives that guarantee access to water in a decentralized manner. They have low environment impact and are economically viable in Brazilian semiarid. This study aimed to assess water quality stored in cisterns in a rural settlement in Cubati - semiarid of Paraíba. PH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, color, turbidity, nitrogen nutrients and thermotolerant coliforms were monitored during the rainy (April and June / 2018) and dry (December / 2018) periods. The water stored in the cisterns comes from different sources between the hydrological periods, coming primarily from rainwater harvesting in the rainy season and from the supply of water trucks during the dry period. The waters, from all analyzed sources, did not present potable characteristics, presenting high values for color parameters (49.6 to 196.5 uC), turbidity (6.9 to 83.9 NTU), nitrate (2.2 10.2 mg / L), total coliforms and Escherichia coli. Thus, despite the storage of water in cisterns as a potential source of access to water for communities in the semiarid region, there is an evident need for treatment before its consumption, with rainwater harvesting being the most suitable source for more noble purposes such as drinking or cooking.&lt;/span&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

A new approach for a drought composite index

Drought is one of the most critical meteorological hazards that has a devastating effect on natural habitats, ecosystems, and many economic and social sectors. Due to these severe impacts of drought events, many studies have focused on drought monitoring, prediction, and risk analysis to aid drought preparedness plans and mitigation measures. This paper presents a new drought composite index (DCI) to measure the intensity and frequency of the hazard component of meteorological drought. The DCI considers multiple indicators, such as precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration, wind speed, relative humidity, and sunshine duration. The DCI is validated through an application to the Brazilian semiarid context. Based on the expert's opinion, we define the weight of each indicator using the analytical hierarchy process. The results were compared with two other drought indices to provide an initial validation because the other indices are not exclusively meteorological indices. The DCI estimates for January 2019 show that the semiarid central region is the most critical. The findings also indicate that the drought intensity is growing in this region.

Physalis growth, development and yield at different sowing seasons in the brazilian northeastern semiarid

The Physalisgenus is composed of species with economic andmedicinal importance, its cultivation is expanding in Brazil,andis neededresearch on the performance of species in different regions of the country. Thus, the objective was to characterize the growth, development and yield of Physalis angulataand Physalis ixocarpaspecies cultivated in three sowing seasons in Bahia's semiarid region.The days after sowingwere determined for the occurrence of vegetative and reproductive stages, and the length and diameter of the main branch were evaluated weekly. At the end of cultivation, the number and total weight of fruits per plant were determined. The plants sown in April showed the best results, as floweringprecocity, higher productivity and growth close to other producing regions, which is the best period for the cultivation of species. P. angulatais a more tolerant species and can be sown at different periods without compromising yield. High temperatures combined with scarcity of rainfall compromise the development of plants of both speciesof Physalis.

Divinization, pilgrimage, and social inequality: experiences of women in the access to obstetric assistance

Abstract Objectives: to understand the experiences of women from Brazilian northeastern semi-arid in accessing obstetric care. Methods: qualitative research conducted by the methodological framework of ethnonursing, carried out with 13 key informants in a public maternity hospital located in the Cariri region of Ceará in the Brazilian Northeast semiarid. The Observation-Participation-Reflection enablers was adopted for data collection, with observations recorded in a field diary and individual interviews, such as "tell me about". The immersion process in the field lasted five months. The empirical material was submitted to procedures of the data analysis guide for ethno-nursing. Results: from the patterns that emerged empirically, three cultural themes became evident: "It has to be delivered in the hands of God": discursive constructions about prenatal care; "We stay in this endless coming and going": antepartum pilgrimage; "If I were rich, I wouldn't be here": attention received in accessing maternity. Conclusions: in the cultural scenario analyzed, women were inserted in the context of clinical and social weaknesses, violation of rights and dignity, resorting to divine designs in the face of difficulties in accessing obstetric services and pilgrimage to guarantee consultations, exams, and hospitalization for childbirth.

Physicochemical Quality of Certified and Uncertified Honeys from the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

O Brasil se destaca como um dos principais produtores mundiais de mel. A legislação brasileira estabelece parâmetros de qualidade e análises físico-químicas para avaliar e controlar a qualidade do mel comercializado. Essas análises também são importantes para detectar adulterações que podem causar diversos efeitos negativos aos consumidores. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a qualidade físico-química de amostras de mel certificadas e não-certificadas produzidas em diferentes cidades da região semiárida brasileira. Vinte e quatro amostras de mel da região semiárida do Brasil foram coletadas e analisadas: quatro de mel certificadas com garantia de genuinidade e origem conhecida e vinte de mel não-certificadas. As seguintes análises foram realizadas em duplicata: umidade, atividade da água, açúcares redutores, sacarose, matéria insolúvel, cinzas, acidez livre, pH e hidroximetilfurfural (HMF). O conteúdo de sacarose foi mais alto nas amostras não-certificadas (p≤0.05), enquanto que as amostras certificadas apresentaram maior acidez livre (p≤0.05). Todas as amostras de mel atenderam aos padrões de umidade, açúcares redutores e cinzas. Sacarose e HMF estavam dentro dos padrões apenas nas amostras certificadas. Algumas amostras de mel de ambos os grupos não atenderam aos padrões de matéria insolúvel e acidez livre. É possível produzir mel em escala comercial nas regiões rurais do semiárido brasileiro, desde que alguns cuidados sejam tomados, especialmente em relação ao tempo prolongado de armazenamento, para que as amostras atendam aos padrões de qualidade.&#x0D; &#x0D; Palavras-chave: Apis melífera. Brasil. Certificação. Mel. Clima Semiárido&#x0D; &#x0D; Abstract&#x0D; Brazil stands out as one the world’s largest producers of honey. The Brazilian legislation establish quality standards and physicochemical analyses to evaluate and control the quality of honey sold. These analyses are also important to detect adulterations that can cause several negative effects to consumers. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare physicochemical quality of certified and uncertified honey samples produced in different cities of the Brazilian semi-arid region. Twenty-four honey samples from semi-arid region of Brazil were collected and analysed: four from certified honey with a guarantee of genuineness and known history and twenty from uncertified honey. The following analysis were performed in duplicate: moisture, water activity, reducing sugars, sucrose, insoluble matter, ash, free acidity, pH and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Sucrose content was higher on uncertified samples (p≤0.05), while certified samples had higher free acidity (p≤0.05). All honey samples fit the standards for moisture, reducing sugars and ash. Sucrose and HMF were within the standards only in certified samples. Some honey samples of both groups do not fit the standards for insoluble matter and free acidity. It is possible to produce honey on a commercial scale in rural regions of the Brazilian semi-arid, provided that some precautions are taken, especially in relation to the prolonged storage time, so that the samples meet the quality standards.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Apis mellifera. Brazil. Certification. Honey. Semi-Arid Climate

Food security and safety mismatch in low-income settings: Evidence from milk produced by smallholders in semiarid Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil

Small-scale dairy production plays a relevant socioeconomic role contributing to improve food security in low income rural settings, such as semiarid Brazil. Milk is mainly supplied to local communities, either distributed by government programs to schools and day-care units, or commercialized privately to final consumers or cheesemakers. However, there is a lack of information about the potential public health hazards associated with milk. The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, the presence of enterotoxin-encoding genes and genotypic relatedness of Staphylococcus spp. from raw milk samples in the semi-arid Paraiba. High antimicrobial resistant rates were observed for beta-lactams, including penicillin, ampicillin and ceftazidime. Although 14% of the isolates were phenotypically resistant to oxacillin, mecA gene was not detected among S. aureus. Almost 50% of the isolates harbored at least one enterotoxin-encoding gene. Higher genotypic relatedness was observed among staphylococci from closely-related farms, suggesting geographic spread of certain strains. In order to prevent potential microbiological risks related to milk consumption in the region, continuous efforts towards the improvement of raw milk quality are encouraged, including good production practices, such as those related to milk refrigeration on the farms and efficient pasteurization.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE BRAZILIAN SEMINAR THROUGH CARTOGRAPHYTHEMATIC FOR GEOGRAPHY CLASSES IN THE FINAL YEARS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL II

The Brazilian Semi-arid is an important region designated by the Northeast Development Superintendency (SUDENE), through the climate and the rainfall. That region, which highlights in global levels, most of the time, is unnoticed in the schooling environment, in important school components, that might contribute for the learning of the diversity of Brazil configuration, such as, General Geography. Therefore, the presented paper has as its main purpose the report of some basic factors analysis on the Brazilian Semi-arid, which, in the current conception, must not lack in the class planners or school curriculum, as well as, there must be studdies on the theme, as the richness in vegetation, the landscapes, hydrography and other important aspects that might enhance the knowledge of that region, as well as of Geography, as an school componente, for the teaching for Elementary School Levels II. In order to obtain better results and understanding in the studies, the Thematic Cartography was used as methodology and tools through the Geoprocessing, by the use of the Ogis Software. Concluding, we may say that the Brazilian Sem-airid is a rich source of knowledge that might not lack in our Society studies.

FROM FIGHTING AGAINST DROUGHTS TO COEXISTING WITH THE SEMIARID

The Brazilian Semiarid Region has a predominant physical condition with low rainfall, shallow soils and few perennial springs, which makes it difficult to access water and consequently agricultural production. To mitigate this situation, several water storage strategies were implemented by public and private initiatives, without, however, guaranteeing universal access to it. Hence, this work aims to analyze the paradigmatic transition from actions to combat droughts to those aimed at living with the Semiarid Region. For this, a bibliographic review is used as a methodology, as well as consultations with official government documents available on their websites. The text presents the role of civil society in the gestation of coexistence strategies with the Semiarid Region as opposed to policies to combat droughts implemented by state agencies and discusses the implementation of public policies aimed at the region. The results indicate that the social technologies of coexistence with the Semiarid Region promoted greater autonomy in the management of water resources and better quality of life of sertanejos and sertanejas in the Brazilian Semiarid Region.

Nitrogen and organic fertilizer on the postharvest quality of Isabel Precoce grapes

Grapes are very appreciated as a functional food due to the high content of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and anthocyanins, important for human health. These properties can be improved through plant nutrition management, especially by nitrogen (N). This work aimed to evaluate the effect of mineral and organic nitrogen fertilization on the postharvest quality of Isabel Precoce grape in the Brazilian semiarid conditions. The design was randomized blocks in double factorial 5 x 2, with six blocks and three plants per block. The grapevines were fertilized with five different mineral N concentrations (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha−1 N), in combination or not with organic fertilization. The content of soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, taste index and contents of total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, anthocyanins and polyphenols were evaluated during the 2015/2016 crop seasons. Organic fertilization with up to 90 kg ha−1 N, grapes have higher contents of soluble solids (17°Brix), total soluble sugars and reducing sugars, soluble solids content/titratable acidity ratio, and pH. High polyphenol and anthocyanin contents were obtained mineral N fertilization (up to 60 kg ha−1 N) not-with organic fertilization. Organic fertilization in combination or not with mineral N improves the organoleptic properties of grapes.

Visitantes florais em duas espécies do gênero Pilosocereus (Cactaceae Juss.) em área de Caatinga

RESUMO: A família Cactaceae Juss. apresenta ampla distribuição para o Brasil, sendo suas flores de antese noturna na maioria dos casos. Com isso, o presente estudo objetivou conhecer os possíveis visitantes florais de Pilosocereus gonellei (F. A. C. Weber) Byles &amp; Rowley e Pilosocereus pachycladus F. Ritter em uma área de Caatinga antropizada no estado de Alagoas. O estudo se deu no Sítio Minação, com áreas variadas de vegetação arbustiva e arbórea, localizado na zona rural do município de Poço das Trincheiras. As flores foram observadas in loco durante um período de 27 dias não consecutivos entre o período de pré-antese e antese, com aproximadamente 1 hora de observação por indivíduo para que fosse possível o registro e análise dos possíveis animais visitantes e alguns aspectos relacionados a morfologia da flor. Foram encontrados algumas espécies como morcegos (família Phyllostomidae), besouros (família Scarabaeidae), vespas (família Vespidae) e abelhas (família Apidae) para P. pachycladus e moscas (família Muscidae), besouros (família Scarabaeidae), formigas (família Formicidae) e esperanças (família Tettigoniidae) para P. gounellei constatando uma diversidade de comportamento em busca de recursos florais e extraflorais nas flores observadas. Este estudo contribui para a biologia floral em espécies de Cactaceae no estado de Alagoas e incentiva novas pesquisas em outras áreas de Caatinga no semiárido brasileiro a fim de descrever e analisar os visitantes florais de outras espécies da família Cactaceae.&#x0D; PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Biologia, Polinizadores, Cactos.