Universidade Federal Rural De Pernambuco Research Articles

The snakes of the flooded region of Itaparica hydroeletric dam, Northeastern Brazil: “development” based on the drowning of wildlife

The previously underestimated biodiversity of the Caatinga underwent a transformation with the emergence of new studies, intensifying interest in the biota of this complex dry forest. Studies on snakes from the Caatinga have increased recently, resulting in 112 recorded species. Contributing to this, we present a detailed list of 23 species rescued from the Itaparica reservoir implementation in the 1980s. Collected specimens are deposited in the Herpetological and Paleoherpetological Collection at the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. The recorded snake assemblage is typical of the dry Caatingas of the Sertaneja Depression. We discuss the impacts of flooding and specimen relocation without adequate planning or monitoring on snake diversity. Finally, we conclude by questioning the sustainability aspects of development and interventions in nature.

Use of medicinal plants by community from Fazenda Nova district, Brejo da Madre de Deus, PE, Brazil

The survey of medicinal  plants used by people in the Fazenda Nova district, Brejo da Madre de Deus Municipality, Pernambuco State, Brazil was the main aim of this work. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews. The botanical material were identified and deposited at the Herbarium Professor VasconcelosSobrinho (PEUFR) of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Were recorded 81 species, distributed in 45 families. The families with  larger number of species were: Euphorbiaceae (7 ssp.), Caesalpiniaceae (5 ssp.), Lamiaceae ( 5 ssp.), Mimosaceae (5 ssp.), Asteraceae (4 ssp.), Fabaceae (4 ssp.), Bignoniaceae (3 ssp.) e Solanaceae (3 ssp.). Therapeutic indications for respiratory problems (24.54%), gastrointestinal disorders (17.47%) and inflammation in general (11.52%) are the most cited. The tea was the main form of preparation and the leaves were the part of the plant most used in the production of natural remedies. The species angico (Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan.), aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva  FR. Allemão), babosa (Aloe vera L.), colônia (Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) Burtt. R. M. Sm), hortelã-miúda (Mentha crispa L.) e romã (Punicagranatum L.) stood out because besides being mentioned by all informants there was complete consensus regarding the main use of the plant, reaching ROP 100.

Aspectos fisiológicos e produção do coentro sob soluções nutritivas preparadas em diferentes águas salobras

ABSTRACT The analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence is one of many ways to quantify the salt damage to photosynthetic performance and crop production. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the photochemical efficiency and production of coriander, cultivar ‘Verdão’, as a function of the electrical conductivity levels of the nutrient solution and the cationic nature. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of four electrical conductivities of the nutrient solutions (ECns = 1.6, 3.2, 4.8, and 6.4 dS m-1) and three kinds of water of different cationic natures (Na+; Ca2+; Mg2+), which were prepared with the dissolution of different salts - NaCl, CaCl2.2H2O, and MgCl2.6H2O in supply water (ECw = 0.12 dS m-1), that is, three predominant cationic natures. The study was carried out in a greenhouse between November and December 2019 at the Fertigation and Salinity Laboratory of the Agricultural Engineering Department of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. It was found that the increase in the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution affected reaction centers, photochemical activity, and carboxylation efficiency and resulted in reductions in stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation rate, and therefore, in the biomass production of coriander. Different cationic prevalence in water causes differences in the intensity of salt damage, especially with increasing concentration.

Surto de intoxicação sistêmica com dermatite de contato irritante devido à cipermetrina em vacas leiteiras - relato de caso

ABSTRACT Pyrethroids are ectoparasiticides safe for mammals and widely used in farm animals. An outbreak of systemic intoxication with irritant contact dermatitis resulting from the use of cypermethrin pour on in dairy cows is reported in the state of Pernambuco. Eight adult animals were affected, three died on the property and five were referred to the Clínica de Bovinos, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Campus Garanhuns. These received 100 mL of pour on Cypermethrin (Ectonil ®, Cipermetrina, Labgard, Brasil). Apathy, hyperexcitability, muscle tremors, sialorrhea, bradycardia and crusted lesions were observed on the dorsum of the neck, scapula, ears and ulcerations in the oral and vaginal mucosa. There was hyperfibrinogenemia and leukocytosis due to neutrophilia with a regenerative left shift. Histopathology showed areas of erosion and ulceration of the epidermis and perivascular lymphohistiocytic and neutrophilic infiltrate in the superficial dermis. Supportive treatment was done with improvement of systemic signs and skin lesions, however, in one animal (with 19 days hospitalized), there was no complete regression of neurological alterations of bradycardia and muscle tremors, even so, it was possible to return to productive activity. High doses of pour on cypermethrin may cause systemic intoxication in cattle and result in bradycardia, hyperexcitability, muscle tremors and sialorrhea with irritant contact dermatitis, and death in severe cases.

Morpho-agronomic characterization and genetic divergence among pepper accessions

The germplasm characterization and the analysis of genetic divergence are fundamental requirements to determine the genetic diversity available and peppers have considerable variability not most explored and quantified. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize morphological and agronomically pepper accessions and their genetic divergence. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse of the Department of Agronomy of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, between the months of December 2014 to June 2015. Thirteen pepper accessions in pots were sown, the experimental design was a randomized block with six replications, and the experimental unit consisted of three pots. Seedling, leaves, plant and fruit characteristics were evaluated. For the analysis of genetic divergence, the Mahalanobis distance and the UPGMA method were used. It was observed the formation of three distinct groups, being fruit width the trait that most contributed to the genetic discrimination of the accessions. Group I presented larger fruits, Group II showed heavier and wider fruits and Group III had mostly smaller, lighter and thinner fruits. There were differences for most of the evaluated characteristics, showing great morphological and agronomic variability among the accessions. The peppers have a high potential to be exploited in breeding.

Ocorrência de afecções podais em bovinos atendidos pela Clínica de Bovinos de Garanhuns: aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, terapêuticos e econômicos

Abstract The objective was to study the occurrence of foot disorders in cattle treated at the Clínica de Bovinos de Garanhuns, campus of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco from 1999 to 2021. A retrospective study of the medical records was carried out, with a total of 334 cases, in which 613 lesions were diagnosed. A frequency distribution, with simple mean and standard deviation was performed to evaluate the data. Interdigital dermatitis was more frequent in 12.4% (76/613), double sole in 9.79% (60/613), chronic laminitis in 8.81% (54/613), sole ulcer in 7.83% (48 /613), and interdigital hyperplasia in 7.24% (45/613). Laminitis and its consequences accounted for 45% of the total injuries identified, followed by 36% of injuries of secondary or uncertain cause, and 19% from infectious diseases. The distribution of lesions between the limbs was 68% in the pelvic and 32% in the thoracic limbs. Females, raised in a semi-intensive system, Holstein, with a body score of III, and large size were more affected. Lameness was present in 78% (260/334), while 10% (33/334) did not present lameness. The case fatality and recovery rates were 9% (31/334) and 73% (243/334), respectively. In total, 51% of cases occurred in the rainy season and 49% in the dry season. The main cities of origin were Bom Conselho 22.75% (76/334), Garanhuns 18.86% (63/334), and Brejão 12.57% (42/334). The estimated cost of treatment was US$ 150.13/case. Diseases are probably directly linked to management failure on the property due to the nature of the diagnosed diseases, in addition to the significant cost of the treatment of these animals, with the need for prophylactic measures in order to avoid the economic losses associated with foot diseases.

First Report of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri causing Citrus Canker on lime in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri is one of the most important citrus diseases in the world (Gottwald et al. 2002), mainly for citrus-producing countries with humid sub-tropical regions such as United States, Argentina, and Brazil, where losses may be significant (Behlau et al. 2020). In the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil, citrus production is expanding and shows social and economic importance for small farmers, which produced approximately 297 tons of lime in this state in 2019 (IBGE 2021). In December 2019, we observed symptoms of erumpent lesions with margins surrounded by yellow haloes on leaves and fruit of the lime (Citrus aurantifolia cv. 'Galego') (about 5% incidence) in a plantation located in the municipality of Mossoró, RN (05°12'21.1"S, 37°19'16"W). Samples were collected from the lime orchard, and five bacterial strains (CCRMXC01 to CCRMXC05) showing yellow, convex, mucoid colonies were isolated in a nutrient-yeast-dextrose-agar medium (NYDA). Pathogenicity tests were performed on sweet orange (C. sinensis cv. 'Pêra') and lime (C. latifolia cv. 'Tahiti') seedlings. Four wounds per leaf (upper side) were carried out with an entomological pin and 10 µl of a bacterial suspension (108 CFU mL-1) were deposited on each wound. The negative control consisted of leaves treated with sterile distilled water (SDW). For each citrus species, we used four replicates per strain and one leaf with four wounds per replicate. Inoculated leaves developed erumpent lesions with margins surrounded by yellow haloes six days after inoculation (DAI) in both citrus species, while leaves treated with SDW remained symptomless. Nine DAI, we reisolated the pathogen and performed rep-PCR (REP, ERIC, and BOX-PCR) analyses (Gama et al. 2018) with the strains inoculated and reisolated to confirm the identity of the strains and to fulfill Koch's postulates. The strains were stored at the Culture Collection Rosa Mariano (CCRM) of the Phytobacteriology Laboratory at the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. The five strains reisolated showed the same REP, ERIC, and BOX-PCR profiles as the strains used for inoculations. The molecular identification was performed sequencing the dnaK, fyuA, gyrB, and rpoD genes (Young et al. 2008). Each fragment was sequenced in both the forward and reverse directions. Using the BLASTn tool, we observed that sequences of the dnaK (GenBank MW218913 to MW218917), fyuA (GenBank MW218918 to MW218922), and rpoD (GenBank MW218928 to MW218932) genes of the strains CCRMXC01 to CCRMXC05 showed 100% of identity with the sequences of these genes from the type strain (ICMP 24T) and of other strains of X. citri subsp. citri (ICMP 21 and ICMP 7493), while sequences of gryB (GenBank MW218923 to MW218927) of the former strains showed 100% identity with the gyrB sequence of the strains ICMP 24T and ICMP 7493 and 99,85% identity with strain ICMP 21. This short variation in the sequence of the gyrB gene also may be observed among strains of X. citri subsp. citri available in NCBI database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). The phylogenetic analysis performed using Bayesian inference and the concatenated sequence of all the type or representative strains of species and pathovars of Xanthomonas available in GenBank showed that the strains CCRMXC01 to CCRMXC05 clustered together with strain ICMP 24T with 1.0 posterior probability. To our information, this is the first report of X. citri subsp. citri causing citrus canker on lime in RN state, Brazil.

A Biotecnologia como formação profissional

A Biotecnologia é apontada como área do futuro; vem despertando interesse dos pesquisadores e cientistas de institutos, universidades e indústrias e empresas. Para que ocorra o seu desenvolvimento, é necessário que os autores sociais estejam interagindo, conforme prevê a Política de Desenvolvimento para a Biotecnologia – PDB. O objetivo deste estudo foi demonstrar a necessidade de formar profissionais a nível de doutorado, na área da biotecnologia, para atuarem na docência, ciência e tecnologia, no Estado de Pernambuco. Para embasamento do tema, utilizou-se como fonte de pesquisa bibliográfica, livros, acesso a Plataforma Lattes e periódicos das bases de dados, como: Scielo, BDTD/Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. Observou-se que no período de 2009 a 2019 as nucleadoras pernambucanas do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia da Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia – PPGB-RENORBIO formaram 150 doutores, sendo: 40% na área de biotecnologia em saúde, 22,7% em agropecuária, 20,7% em industrial e 16,6% em recursos naturais e foram depositadas 97 patentes. Conclui-se a necessidade de preparar profissionais com forte embasamento científico nas áreas da biotecnologia, para que a biodiversidade existente no Nordeste brasileiro seja aproveitada de maneira consciente e lucrativa, a fim de beneficiar a sociedade economicamente, socialmente e culturalmente.

Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Ileal Intussusception in Calf

Background: Intussusception, characterized by invagination of an intestinal segment into the lumen of the adjacent segment, is one of the main causes of intestinal obstruction in cattle, and occurs more frequently in calves. The diagnosis of the disease is based on the history, clinical examination, and complementary exams, which are a challenge in this species, especially in calves, in which transrectal palpation is limited. As it is a non-invasive, effective, and low-cost test, ultrasonography could be an important tool in the diagnosis of intestinal obstructions, in which time is essential for the prognosis. Therefore, the objective was to report a case of intussusception in a calf diagnosed by ultrasound.Case: A 4-month-old calf, weaned at 3 months and raised intensively, was treated at the Clínica de Bovinos de Garanhuns, campus of the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (CBG/UFRPE), with a history of apathy, anorexia, and dyschezia for 3 days. On physical examination, fever, moderate dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea with polypnea, bilaterally bulging abdomen, sound of fluid on ballottement, ruminal and intestinal hypomotility, and melena were observed. The hematological findings revealed leukocytosis due to neutrophilia (degenerate neutrophils), hypoproteinemia, and hyperfibrinogenemia. The analysis of the ruminal fluid showed compromised microbiota and increased chloride content. The transabdominal ultrasonography demonstrated, in the right ventral region, hypermotile and full small bowel loops and an increase in the volume of the peritoneal fluid. In addition, there was a segment of the small intestine which, in cross-section, showed multiple concentric rings (“onion rings”, “target pattern”, or “bull’s eye”) and adherence to adjacent loops, compatible with intestinal obstruction due to intussusception. Due to the seriousness of the clinical condition and the ultrasound findings, the animal was euthanized and the necropsy revealed focal fibrinous peritonitis and intestinal obstruction due to intussusception in ileum intestinal segments.Discussion: Intussusception has previously been reported in calves, however this is the first report of ultrasound diagnosis of the disease in Brazil. Although the etiology is rarely confirmed, the age group and recent changes in diet (weaning) were predisposing factors. The history, clinical signs, and laboratory tests were similar to those described in cattle with intussusception, however they may be present in other gastrointestinal illnesses. Other authors have also reported that the nonspecificity of the signs and the impossibility of performing transrectal palpation made it difficult to diagnose intestinal obstruction in calves without the use of other diagnostic tools. As it is a non-invasive and accurate technique, ultrasound has been used in ruminants for diagnostic purposes, including intestinal obstructions. In the present case, the main findings are described as the presence of a lesion with the appearance of multiple concentric rings, hypermotile, dilated, and full intestinal loops. The pathological findings were compatible with the ultrasound images and similar to those described by other authors, confirming the diagnosis. The use of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in cattle should be expanded, aiming at the early determination of diagnosis and prognosis, to reduce producer costs and animal discomfort. In cases of intussusception, late diagnosis makes treatment unfeasible.

Internal Macroscopic Anatomy and Electrical Evaluation of the Bradypus variegatus Heart

Background: The Bradypus variegatus species presents peculiar anatomophysiological properties and many aspects of its organic systems still need to be clarified, especially regarding the cardiovascular system, given its participation in vital activities. Disorderly anthropic action has had drastic consequences in sloth populations and the need to treat sick and injured animals is increasingly common. To this end, the importance of knowing its characteristics is emphasized. Therefore, this study proposed to describe the internal macroscopic structures of the sloth's heart, as well as to measure the ventricular walls and indicate the electrical activity of the organ.Materials, Methods and Results: For the dissections, 15 Bradypus variegatus cadavers were used (1 young female, 9 adults females and 5 adult males) belonging to the Área de Anatomia of the Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal (DMFA), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recide, PE, Brazil. After they were fixed and preserved, the specimens received a midsagittal incision in the chest, followed by soft tissue folding and removal of ribs to access the heart. The organ was derived from the cavity and sectioned sagittal medially to identify its internal anatomy. Ventricular walls and interventricular septum were measured with a steel caliper (150 mm / 0.02 mm). An electrocardiogram was performed to determine the electrical profile on 5 healthy B. variegatus sloths, living under semi-livestock conditions at the Recife Zoo, PE, Brazil. The electrodes were taken from the regions, scapular and glutes of the animals that were called hugging a keeper during the procedure, carried out in the Zoo itself, using a portable device. Based on the data obtained, sloths have cardiac chambers separated by septa, however between atria and ventricles, in both antimeres, there are atrioventricular ostia, where valves are found, consisting of 3 valves on the right and 2 on the left. The atria are practically smooth inside and have their cavity enlarged by the atria, the right being larger than the left, these having a greater amount of pectineal muscles in relation to the atria. The ventricles have trabeculae and papillary muscles, 3 on the right and 2 on the left. These muscles hold the tendinous chords that connect the valves. The existence of trabeculae marginal septum was not evidenced. The thickness of the wall of the left ventricle, as well as that of the interventricular septum, proved to be greater than the thickness of the wall of the right ventricle, regardless of the age or sex of the animals. Based on the electrocardiographic recordings, the sloths presented sinus rhythm, with a heart rate between 67 and 100 bpm. The electrical axis ranged from -60º to -90º. The P wave is smoother than the QRS complex. While the S-T segment was classified as isoelectric. The T wave was shown to be + and predominantly > or = at 25% of the S wave, which characterized an rS type QRS deflection in both females and males.Discussion: The general characteristics of the cardiac chambers in sloths are similar to those observed in other domestic and wild mammals. However, the presence of pectineal muscles associated with the atria and auricles differs from that observed in mammals such as the paca and raccoon and in birds such as the ostrich, which have trabecular structures in these cavities. The number of valves in sloths is equal to the anteater. However, it has a marginal trabeculae septum, not seen in Bradypus variegatus. According to the electrocardiographic findings, the rhythm was sinus, but much lower than that observed in the capuchin monkey, which also maintains arboreal habits. Keywords: Xenarthra, common sloth, internal anatomy, heart, electrocardiogram.Descritores: Xenarthra, preguiça-comum, anatomia interna, coração, eletrocardiograma.

Digestive diseases of cattle diagnosed at the “Clínica de Bovinos de Garanhuns”-UFRPE: retrospective study and influence of seasonality

ABSTRACT: Diseases of the bovine digestive system make up an important group of diseases, often being responsible for significant economic losses in the livestock sector. The current work aimed to carry out a retrospective study of the diseases of the digestive system in cattle diagnosed at the “Clínica de Bovinos de Garanhuns”, “Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco”, from January 1999 to December 2018. In this period, a total of 9,343 cattle were admitted to the CBG-UFRPE, of which 2,238 (24.0%) were diagnosed with diseases of the digestive system. In two decades, the total number of cattle admitted annually by the institution almost doubled as well as the number of cases of digestive diseases. The diseases categorized as mechanical/motor were the most prevalent (33.6%), followed by fermentative (28.4%), gastroenteritis (16.0%), esophageal diseases (9.7%), and diseases of the oral cavity (4.5%). Lesions of the rectum and anus, congenital alterations, and other digestive diseases showed relative frequencies below 4%. Traumatic reticulitis and its sequelae (14.5%) are the most prevalent disorders, followed by simple indigestion (10.1%), esophageal and intestinal obstructive disorders (9.0%), non-specific gastroenteritis (8.6%), displaced abomasum (RDA and LDA) (5.5%), and frothy bloat, ruminal lactic acidosis, and impaction of the forestomach and abomasum, which represented approximately 5% each. In general, these diseases presented a lethality rate of 46.0%, with emphasis on mechanical/motor diseases with a lethality rate of 73.8%. In general, diseases were more prevalent in females, crossbreeds, aged over 24 months, and raised in a semi-intensive system. Diseases of the digestive system increased over the years studied, representing a considerable portion of the diseases that affect cattle raised in this region, which makes up the main milk basin in the State of Pernambuco, confirming its economic and social impact in the region.

Antioxidative metabolism in sugarcane (Poaceae) varieties subjected to water and saline stress

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the antioxidant responses of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) varieties subjected to water and saline stress. Sugarcane seedlings of six different varieties obtained through micropropagation were subjected to either water or saline stress, or a combination of water + saline stress. The study was carried out in May 2012, in a greenhouse at the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE). The experimental design was randomized, with treatments arranged in a 6 × 4 factorial scheme (six varieties and four treatments), and four replicates. Lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations, and relative water content (RWC) were evaluated. Furthermore, we evaluated the plants’ antioxidative defense systems by measuring the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and catalase (CAT). The sugarcane varieties had higher lipid peroxidation and/or higher H2O2 concentrations when subjected to the combined water + saline stress. The antioxidant enzymes responded to the water and saline stress treatments differently depending on the sugarcane variety. However, under combined saline + water stress conditions, the enzymes may have become inactivated, which indicates that the response to the combined water + saline stress was different from the sum of the responses to only water stress or only saline stress. High concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) associated with low RWC may be an effective indicator of multiple stress sensitivity in sugarcane varieties. The RB99395 and RB867515 sugarcane varieties responded more efficiently to environmental stress, and maintained their cell water content when subjected to either water or saline stress.

Description of brachial plexus of sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

ABSTRACT: The species Bradypus variegatus is known as the common sloth, an endemic mammal from neotropical regions, which has been suffering from devastating anthropogenic activities. Our study aimed to describe the brachial plexus of B. variegates, regarding the origin and distribution of nerves, through the sampling of 10 adult females. Analyses were carried out at the Anatomy Section, “Departamento de Morfologia e Fisiologia Animal”, “Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco”, under license no. 034/2015 of the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals. The results determined that the brachial plexus of the common sloth starts from the fifth cervical spine segment until the second thoracic segment. This area contains the long and suprascapular thoracic nerves, which originate immediately from the medullary segment 5 and 6, respectively, and from the pectoral, subscapular, axillary, radial, musculocutaneous, medial, forearm and ulnar medial cutaneous nerves, arising from a trunk comprised of cervical spine nerves (C) 7, C8, C9, and thoracic (T) 1 and T2. Regarding other wild and domestic animals, different suggestions were observed about the origin of the plexus in B. variegatus, however, the constituent nerves and their innervation areas did not demonstrate any discrepancies.

Vascularização do intestino do bicho-preguiça (Bradypus variegatusSCHINZ, 1825)

Common sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is a mammal that belongs to the superorder Xenarthra, typical from neotropical regions, with geographic distribution from Honduras to northern Argentina. Our study aimed to describe the intestine blood supply of these Bradipodids in order to collaborate with the clinical-surgical for these animals. For that, ten animals, included four females and six males, were sampled from the collection of the Anatomy Division, Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco DMFA/UFRPE. Corpses received formalin, preserved in saline solution and subsequently dissected for description of the cranial (AMCr) and caudal (AMC) mesenteric arteries. Sixty percent of sloths presented AMCr and AMC, cwhile 30% of them had intestines (small and large) irrigation from the common mesenteric artery (AMCo), an arterial trunk from which AMCr and AMC originated. For 10% of the specimens, the entire intestine was vascularized only by AMCr. Along the AMCr branches, there were arched arrangements, with arches size reductionat the level of the small intestine. Therefore, B. variegatus presents anatomical variations regarding the irrigation of the intestine, which can be made from AMCr and AMC, from the AMCo arterial trunk or to a lower frequency exclusively through AMCr branches.

State of knowledge and conservation of the snake fauna of the “Brejos de Altitude” in the Pernambuco Endemism Center, Northeastern Brazil

The Atlantic Forest is originally distributed along the Brazilian coast from the states of Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul, and it presents many different vegetal physiognomies. Brejos de Altitude is a set of relict altitudinal forests in northeastern Brazil with a distinct and poorly studied biota representing special areas within the Atlantic Forest. The snake fauna of these forests is still poorly understood despite the increasing amount of information available. The aim of this study was to furnish the current state of knowledge and conservation of the snake fauna at the Brejos in the Pernambuco Endemism Center. The database used here is based on the materials housed at Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de Sao Paulo and the herpetological collections of Universidade Federal da Paraiba and Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, in addition to literature records. Out of 7 families, 37 genera and 63 species were found in Brejos de Altitude, and no species appeared in the list of endangered fauna of Brazil. The results showed species with strong dependence on forest and species distributed in open areas, such as Caatinga and Cerrado, although, many Brejos showed no data on snake fauna. In conclusion, Brejos de Altitude is a threatened region of the Atlantic Forest with a small number of protected areas and high rates of deforestation, thus needing urgent conservation actions.

Bovine Mastitis Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Nocardia farcinica

Background: Mastitis caused by Nocardia is characterized by pyogranulomatous inflammation related to inadequate hygiene conditions and is difficult to treat. Prompted by the absence of documentation of Nocardia farcinica associated to bovine mastitis in the Northeast region of Brazil, this is the first report to describe bovine mastitis caused by multidrug-resistant N. farcinica. Case: Four milk samples (one from each teat) obtained from a 3-year-old Jersey cow raised on a property located in the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil, were submitted to the Laboratory of Infectious-Contagious Diseases of the Veterinary Hospital at Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco. At the laboratory, samples were cultured in base agar enriched with 7% sheep blood (blood agar) in a microbiological incubator at 37°C under aerobic conditions for 72 h. After only 48 h, however, pure bacterial colony growth was observed in all samples. Macroscopic analysis revealed small colonies, with an irregular shape, dry aspect, and greyish in color. Gram-positive rods forming filaments and/or ramifications were observed using a Gram staining method. Nocardia spp. were identified according to morphotinctorial characteristics. Susceptibility testing using the disc-diffusion method in agar (antibiogram) was performed using the following antibiotics: penicillin (10 IU), tetracycline (30 µg), amoxicillin (10 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), cephalexin (30 µg), erythromycin (15 µg), cephalothin (30 µg) and ampicillin (30 µg). However, the organism exhibited resistance to all drugs; as such, a new milk sample was obtained at the same location the initial samples were collected. Samples (approximately 5 mL) were collected aseptically and separately from all four teats in sterile bottles, during which the presence of granular material was noted. Bacterial culture was performed as previously described and, after 48 h, colony growth with the same characteristics as the first isolation were observed, and with same morphotinctorial characteristics in the Gram stain. A resistance profile was observed for 14 of the antimicrobial drugs tested; sensitivity was verified only for ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. One bacterial colony was selected and sent to the Center of Strategic Technology of Northeast (CETENE-PE) for species identification using a matrix-associated laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF/MS) technique, which confirmed the species to be N. farcinica. Molecular characterization of 16s ribosomal DNA was performed using polymerase chain reaction with universal prokaryotic primers 516F-13R. Subsequently, the amplified product was subjected to sequencing, and the result was analyzed for quality using Phred base calling software; bases with a Phred value > 20 were kept. The sequence was evaluated using GenBank, in which the isolate exhibited 99% similarity to N. farcinica. Discussion: Clinical findings and animal history associated with microbiological culture and bacterial identification using the MALDI-TOF technique, as well as DNA sequencing, confirmed the case of clinical mastitis to be caused by N. farcinica. These bacteria are considered saprophytes, and their occurrence is associated with deficiencies in hygienic-sanitary management, such as not using pre- and post-dipping, which may favor mammary gland infection. Treatment of N. farcinica mastitis is effective only when properly performed, with agent identification and antibiotic sensitivity tests in vitro associated with the adoption of hygienic-sanitary measures. This is the first description of bovine mastitis caused by N. farcinica in the northeast of Brazil. Multidrug resistance should raise awareness of producers searching for laboratory aids in agent identification as well as antibiotic sensitivity tests, and to develop a proper therapeutic protocol based on results obtained in laboratory examinations.

Nutritional status of coriander under fertigation depths and pulse and continuous drip irrigation

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of coriander cultivar Verdão under fertigation depths and pulse and continuous drip irrigation. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment at the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil (8° 1’ 6.50” S, 34° 56’ 46” W and altitude of 6.5 m), in the randomized block design in 2 x 5 factorial scheme, with three repetitions. Treatments consisted of five irrigation depths (40, 60, 80, 100 and 120% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) and two types of fertigation application (pulse and continuous). At 27 days after sowing, the aerial part of 48 plants per plot was collected for subsequent quantification of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, copper and zinc concentrations. Pulse fertigation combined with ETc replacement depths below 100% promoted higher leaf concentrations of phosphorus, sulfur, iron and manganese. Continuous fertigation combined with 100% ETc depth induced sulfur deficiency in the crop and, combined with 40% ETc depth, promoted the highest calcium concentration. Regardless of the type of application, ETc replacement depths from 82.7 and 40% provide adequate leaf concentrations of nitrogen and magnesium, respectively. Regardless of the applied depth, pulse fertigation reduced the leaf concentrations of magnesium.

Das ruralidades ao ensino de ciências: Memórias sobre a Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Apresenta a história da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) e o surgimento das Licenciaturas e do Departamento de Educação, bem como sua contribuição no ensino superior em Pernambuco e seu importante papel na construção do ensino agrícola no Brasil. Caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa do tipo qualitativa, configurando-se quanto aos fins como descritiva, quanto aos meios como um estudo bibliográfico e que utilizou como técnicas a análise documental e a história oral e a entrevista semiestruturada com 3 professores, sendo um deles fundador do Departamento de Educação. As entrevistas foram transcritas e analisadas através da técnica da história oral. Na perspectiva dos relatos da época, foi possível identificar fatos importantes da história da UFRPE como o importante trabalho dos monges beneditinos, o trabalho do Centro Regional de Educação Técnico-Agrícola (CRETA) e o Centro de Formação e Treinamento de Professores Agrícolas (CFPTA) na formação de professores e a Licenciatura em Ensino Agrícolas que dariam mais tarde origem ao Departamento de Educação, a posteriori a criação das Licenciaturas em Ciências com habilitações seguindo o modelo do sistema de ciência integrada. Através de todo esse percurso histórico, foi possível perceber o crescimento da UFRPE enquanto instituição superior de ensino, seu papel nas ações da educação do homem do campo e sua abertura para o diálogo com outros campos do saber, ao introduzir novos cursos.
 Palavras-chave: Memória, Relatos Orais, Ensino Superior, Ensino de Ciências.
 
 From rurality to science teaching: Memories about Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
 ABSTRACT. This work presents the history of Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) and the emergence of Teacher’s Course Degree and the Department of Education, and their contribution to higher education in Pernambuco and Agriculture Teaching in Brazil. It is characterized as qualitative research, by configuring as descriptive purposes, through a bibliographic study that used techniques of documentary analysis, oral history, and a semi-structured interview. Three professors were interviewed, and one of them was the founder of the Department of Education. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through oral history techniques. Based on reports perspective was possible to identify significant facts in University history as the essential Benedictines monks’ work, the work of “Centro Regional de Educação Técnico-Agrícola” (CRETA) and the “Centro de Formação e Treinamento de Professores Agrícolas” (CFPTA). Both centers were crucial for teacher formation and Agriculture Teaching Degree that later originated the Department of Education, and a posteriori created Science Degrees with the license, following the model of integrated Science system. This timeline enabled to perceive the growth of UFRPE as a Higher Education Institute, its role in acts of man field education, and opening for dialogue with other knowledge fields introducing new courses degree. 
 Keywords: Memory, Oral Reports, Higher Education, Science Teaching. 
 
 De las ruralidades a la enseñanza de ciencias: Memorias de La Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
 RESUMEN. Presenta la historia de la Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE) y el surgimiento de las Licenciaturas y del Departamento de Educación, como también su contribuición en la enseñanza superior en Pernambuco y su importante papel en la construcción de la enseñanza agrícola en Brasil. Es una investigación del tipo cualitativo, que se establece con relación a los fines como descriptiva y a los medios como un estudio bibliográfico que hizo uso de técnicas como la análisis documental y la historia oral y también la entrevista semiestructurada con 3 profesores, uno de ellos el fundador del Departamento de Educación. Las entrevistas fueron transcriptas y analizadas a través de la técnica de historia oral. En la perspectiva de los relatos de epoca, fue posible identificar hechos importantes de la historia de la UFRPE, como el importante trabajo de los monjes beneditinos, el trabajo del Centro Regional de Educación Técnico-Agrícola (CRETA) y el Centro de Formación y Entrenamento de Profesores Agrícolas (CFPTA) en la formación de profesores y la Licenciatura en Enseñanza Agrícola que más adelante dio origen al Departamento de Educación, a posteriori la creación de las Licenciaturas en Ciencias con calificaciones que siguen el modelo del sistema de ciencia integrada. A través de todo este percurso historico, fue posible percibir el crecimiento de la UFRPE como instituición superior de enseñanza, su papel en las acciones para la educación del hombre del campo y su apertura para el diálogo con otros campos del saber, al introducir nuevos cursos. 
 Palabras clave: Memoria, Relatos Orales, Enseñanza Superior, Enseñanza de Ciencias.

Coffee Dieback Caused by Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae in Brazil

Coffea arabica is the most important coffee species cultivated worldwide. Although many diseases are known to affect coffee plantations, few pathogens have been reported to cause the death of plants. In 2019, in two growing areas (0.3 and 1 ha) of C. arabica cv. Catuai 144, in Brejao, Pernambuco, Brazil (8°57′28″S; 36°32′00″W; altitude 750 m), 2% of 3-year-old plants showed dieback symptoms. Infected stems had necrotic lesions and black pycnidia on the surface. Three single-spore cultures were obtained directly from three infected stems and deposited in the Culture Collection of Phytopathogenic Fungi Prof. Maria Menezes (CMM) at the Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil) (codes CMM4875 to CMM4877). The colony grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium showed fast growth, with abundant aerial mycelium that was initially white and became grayish. Conidia were initially hyaline, unicellular, and ellipsoidal, 21.4 to 30.7 × 11.4 to 15.1 µm (n = 30). Mature conidia showed a dark brown pigmentation, with a central septum and longitudinal striations. Morphological characteristics were compared with previous descriptions (Alves et al. 2008; Phillips et al. 2013), and the isolates were identified as Lasiodiplodia sp. To complete the identification to species level, sequences of the region of ribosomal DNA (ITS-rDNA) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF1-α) were successfully amplified and sequenced, and consensus sequences were deposited in GenBank database (accession nos. MN122134 to MN122136 for ITS and MN103350 to MN103352 for TEF1-α). The BLASTn search of ITS-rDNA and TEF1-α sequences showed 100 and 99% identity, respectively, with reference sequences of the type strain Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae CBS116459 (accession nos. EF622077 and EF622057, respectively). A combined phylogenetic tree obtained by Bayesian inference, using MrBayes version 3.1.1 (Ronquist and Huelsenbeck 2003), grouped the isolates within the L. pseudotheobromae clade, confirming the identification. Therefore, based on morphological and molecular analyses, the fungal pathogen was identified as L. pseudotheobromae. The pathogenicity of the three isolates was evaluated in five plants (6 months old) and in 15 detached leaves of C. arabica cv. Catuai 144. Unwounded and superficially wounded (with a sterilized needle) stems and leaves were inoculated by depositing mycelial plugs (5 mm) of 3-day-old colonies grown on PDA medium. As a control, PDA plugs were used. Inoculated plants were maintained in a moist chamber for 2 days and subsequently transferred to a greenhouse under a 12-h photoperiod at 25°C. Inoculated leaves were maintained in a moist chamber at 25°C for 10 days. Only wounded plants and leaves showed symptoms, whereas unwounded and control plants and leaves remained healthy. Necrotic lesions were observed in the plants at 48 h after inoculation (hai), which advanced on the stem and leaves, leading to the death of the top at 10 days after inoculation (dai). Detached leaves showed necrotic lesions at 24 hai, and most tissues were necrotized at 5 dai. Black pycnidia were found on necrotic tissues at 10 dai. The fungus was successfully recovered from inoculated symptomatic tissues, confirming Koch’s postulates. Although L. pseudotheobromae has been reported in C. arabica in Thailand, its pathogenicity has not been confirmed (Trakunyingcharoen et al. 2015). To our knowledge, this is the first report of this species causing dieback on C. arabica in Brazil and in the world. Thus, this finding highlights the occurrence of a new pathogen that can cause losses in coffee cultivation and may contribute to future studies involving disease management in this crop.

Sprouting of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings and micrometeorological variables under photo-selective nets

ABSTRACT Sugarcane is a grass species that stands out worldwide in the production of ethanol. Brazil is the world’s largest producer and leader in exports, responsible for more than 50% of the products that are marketed worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of photo-selective nets on micrometeorological variables and on sprouting of pre-sprouted sugarcane seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a protected environment at Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, in a completely randomized design. Seedlings of cultivar RB92579 were obtained by the technique of production of pre-sprouted seedlings. The protected environment was divided into four modules corresponding to the treatments: covered with anti-UV low-density polyethylene plastic: + Solpack® red ultranet net, + Solpack® white net, + Solpack® freshnet net and without shade net. Micrometeorological data of air temperature and substrate temperature were recorded in each module. The first count of emergence, sprouting speed index and sprouting percentage were calculated. Principal component analysis was used to verify the association between the cultivation modules and the micrometeorological and sprouting variables of the seedlings. Air temperature in the protected environment was 8.7% higher than that in the external environment. The white net led to sprouting of 78.93%. The substrate temperature above 30.4 °C favored seedling sprouting. The modules with white net and red ultranet net favored seedling sprouting.