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Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a process through which a group of microorganisms called diazotrophs convert unassimilable atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. In aqueous media, ammonia yields ammonium ions that can be assimilated by microorganisms and plants. To reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizers and their environmental effects, an alternative approach toward sustainable agriculture is the induction of artificial associations between diazotrophs and plants. This has led to increased interest in the search for microorganisms capable of supplying nitrogen to crops. This article presents a simple, economical, and sensitive spectrophotometric method for estimating the BNF capacity of bacteria cultured in a liquid NFb medium, based on the variation of absorbance caused by the change in color of bromothymol blue in the culture medium. The structure and color of this indicator are modified by pH shifts, which depend on the concentration of fixed ammonium ions.•The nitrogen concentration (estimated from the ammonium in the culture medium) showed a positive correlation (R 2 = 0.984) with the absorbance measured at 610 nm. The regression equation obtained through the origin was y = 0.009682140x, where y is the absorbance and x is the nitrogen concentration in the culture medium.•The methods used at present to measure the efficiency of BNF require expensive equipment, which may not be affordable for many laboratories or companies working in this field.•This technique can be used for pure bacterial strains and microbial consortia from soil or commercial products.

RESUMEN

During the production of polymer-grade propylene, different processes are used to purify this compound and ensure that it is of the highest quality. However, some impurities such as acetylene and methyl acetylene are difficult to remove, and some of these impurities may be present in the propylene used to obtain polypropylene, which may have repercussions on the process. This study evaluates the impact of these acetylene and methyl acetylene impurities on the productivity of the polypropylene synthesis process and on the mechanical and thermal properties of the material obtained through the synthesis of eight samples with different concentrations of acetylene and eight samples with different concentrations of acetylene. We discovered that for the first concentrations of both acetylene (2 and 3 ppm) and methyl acetylene (0.03 and 0.1), the MFI, thermal recording, and mechanical properties of the resin were unaffected by the variation of the fluidity index, thermal degradation by TGA, and mechanical properties such as resistance to tension, bending, and impact. However, when the concentration exceeded 14 ppm for methyl acetylene and 12 ppm for acetylene, the resistance of this resin began to decrease linearly. Regarding production, this was affected by the first traces of acetylene and methyl acetylene progressively decreasing.

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As part of our continuous studies involving the prospection of natural products from Brazilian flora aiming at the discovery of prototypes for the development of new antiparasitic drugs, the present study describes the isolation of two natural acetylene acetogenins, (2S,3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(n-eicos-11'-yn-19'-enyl)butanolide (1) and (2S,3R,4R)-3-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-(n-eicos-11'-ynyl)butanolide (2), from the seeds of Porcelia macrocarpa (Warm.) R.E. Fries (Annonaceae). Using an ex-vivo assay, compound 1 showed an IC50 value of 29.9 µM against the intracellular amastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) infantum, whereas compound 2 was inactive. These results suggested that the terminal double bond plays an important role in the activity. This effect was also observed for the semisynthetic acetylated (1a and 2a) and eliminated (1b and 2b) derivatives, since only compounds containing a double bond at C-19 displayed activity, resulting in IC50 values of 43.3 µM (1a) and 23.1 µM (1b). In order to evaluate the effect of the triple bond in the antileishmanial potential, the mixture of compounds 1 + 2 was subjected to catalytic hydrogenation to afford a compound 3 containing a saturated side chain. The antiparasitic assays performed with compound 3, acetylated (3a), and eliminated (3b) derivatives confirmed the lack of activity. Furthermore, an in-silico study using the SwissADME online platform was performed to bioactive compounds 1, 1a, and 1b in order to investigate their physicochemical parameters, pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness. Despite the reduced effect against amastigote forms of the parasite to the purified compounds, different mixtures of compounds 1 + 2, 1a + 2a, and 1b + 2b were prepared and exhibited IC50 values ranging from 7.9 to 38.4 µM, with no toxicity for NCTC mammalian cells (CC50 > 200 µM). Selectivity indexes to these mixtures ranged from >5.2 to >25.3. The obtained results indicate that seeds of Porcelia macrocarpa are a promising source of interesting prototypes for further modifications aiming at the discovery of new antileishmanial drugs.

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RESUMEN

The di-substituted acetyl-ene residue in the title compound, C11H11NO3, is capped at either end by di-methyl-hydroxy and 4-nitro-benzene groups; the nitro substituent is close to co-planar with the ring to which it is attached [dihedral angle = 9.4 (3)°]. The most prominent feature of the mol-ecular packing is the formation, via hy-droxy-O-H⋯O(hy-droxy) hydrogen bonds, of hexa-meric clusters about a site of symmetry . The aggregates are sustained by 12-membered {⋯OH}6 synthons and have the shape of a flattened chair. The clusters are connected into a three-dimensional architecture by benzene-C-H⋯O(nitro) inter-actions, involving both nitro-O atoms. The aforementioned inter-actions are readily identified in the calculated Hirshfeld surface. Computational chemistry indicates there is a significant energy, primarily electrostatic in nature, associated with the hy-droxy-O-H⋯O(hy-droxy) hydrogen bonds. Dispersion forces are more important in the other identified but, weaker inter-molecular contacts.

RESUMEN

The conception of this theoretical research was idealized aiming to unveil the intermolecular structures of complexes formed by acetylene or ethylene and hydrofluoric acid. At light of computational calculations by using the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method, the geometries of the C2H2⋯(HF), C2H2⋯2(HF), C2H2⋯4(HF), C2H4⋯(HF), C2H4⋯2(HF) and C2H4⋯4(HF) hydrogen-bonded complexes were fully optimized. Moreover, the Post-Hartree-Fock calculations MP2/6-311++G(d,p), MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, MP4(SDQ)/6-311++G(d,p) and CCSD/6-311++G(d,p) also were also used. The infrared spectra were analyzed in order to identify the new vibrational modes and frequencies of the proton donors shifted to red region. Through the modeling of charge-fluxes on the basis of the Quantum Theory of Atoms In Molecules (QTAIM) and, by contradicting the expectation of the hydrofluorination mechanisms of acetylene or ethylene, C⋯HF was recognized as a new type of hydrogen bond instead of the already well known π⋯H. The calculations of the Natural Bonding Orbital (NBO) and Charges derived from the Electrostatic Potential Grid-based (ChElPG) were also applied to interpret the shifting frequencies as well as measuring of the punctual charge-transfer after the formation of the complexes. Finally, the determination of the stabilization energy was carried out through the arguments of the Fock matrix in NBO basis and through the supermolecule approach. Also it is worthwhile to notice that some algebraic formulations were used for determining the electronic cooperative effect (CE).

RESUMEN

Chemically demanding reductive conversions in biology, such as the reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia or the Birch-type reduction of aromatic compounds, depend on Fe/S-cluster-containing ATPases. These reductions are typically catalyzed by two-component systems, in which an Fe/S-cluster-containing ATPase energizes an electron to reduce a metal site on the acceptor protein that drives the reductive reaction. Here, we show a two-component system featuring a double-cubane [Fe8S9]-cluster [{Fe4S4(SCys)3}2(µ2-S)]. The double-cubane-cluster-containing enzyme is capable of reducing small molecules, such as acetylene (C2H2), azide (N3-), and hydrazine (N2H4). We thus present a class of metalloenzymes akin in fold, metal clusters, and reactivity to nitrogenases.

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Manipueira is a carbohydrate-rich agro-industrial waste from cassava processing. It is considered well suitable for biotechnological processes, such as hydrogen and carboxylic acids production, due to the high content of easily degradable organic matter. However, the proper methanogenesis inhibition method, inoculum type, and organic loads are factors still limiting the processes. The objective in this work was to evaluate the effects of such factors on byproducts production in anaerobic reactors. Batch experiments were conducted with 2.3-L flasks during two operational phases. In the first phase (P1), inhibition of methanogens in the sludge was evaluated using acetylene (1% v/v of headspace) and heat treatment (120 °C, 1 atm for 30 min). In the second phase (P2), three inoculum types obtained from common anaerobic sludges (bovine rumen and sludges from municipal and textile industrial wastewater treatment plants) were individually assayed. P2 aimed to identify the best inoculum, based on hydrogen production ability, which was tested for three initial concentrations of manipueira in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) (10, 20 and 40 g O2/L). Results of P1 indicated that either acetylene or heat treatment efficiently inhibited methanogenesis, with no methane production. However, the maximum H2 production potential by applying heat treatment (~ 563 mL) was more than twice compared with that by acetylene treatment (~ 257 mL); and butyrate was the main carboxylic acid by-product (~ 3 g/L). In P2 experiments after sludge heat treatment, the highest hydrogen yield (1.66 ± 0.07 mol H2/mol glucose) and caproic acid production (~ 2 g/L) were observed at 20 g O2/L of manipueira COD, when bovine rumen was the inoculum. The primary metabolic degradation products in all P2 experiments were ethanol, acetic, butyric, propionic and caproic acids. The finding of caproic acid detection indicated that the applied conditions in manipueira anaerobic degradation favored carbon chain elongation over methanogenesis.

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Power transformers are essential for a functioning electrical system and therefore require special attention by maintenance programs because a fault can harm both the company and society. The temperature inside a power transformer and the dissolved gases, which are primarily composed of acetylene, are the two main parameters monitored when detecting faults. This paper describes the development of a device for analyzing the acetylene content in insulating oil using spectrofluorimetry. Using this device introduces a new methodology for the maintaining and operating power transformers. The prototype is currently operating in a substation. The results presented by this system were satisfactory; when compared to chromatographic data, the errors did not exceed 15%. This prototype may be used to confirm the quality of an insulating oil sample to detect faults in power transformers.

RESUMEN

Mangas 'Ubá' fisiologicamente maduras foram tratadas com etileno ou carbureto de cálcio (CaC2) visando à antecipação e à uniformização do amadurecimento. Frutos com massa média de 133,8±1,9g foram expostos às doses de 0, 20, 40, 80 e 160g de CaC2 m-3 de câmara ou 0, 50, 100, 200 e 400mL de etileno m-3 de câmara durante 24h, em câmaras a 18,1±0,7°C e 90±3 por cento de UR. Após o tratamento, os frutos permaneceram sob as mesmas condições de temperatura e UR, e foram avaliados aos 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 dias de armazenamento. O etileno e o CaC2 acentuaram a perda de massa das mangas. Nos frutos tratados com CaC2, o pico climatérico respiratório ocorreu aos 3, 6, 9, 9 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 160, 80, 40, 20 e 0g/m³, respectivamente. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, este pico foi registrado aos 3, 3, 6, 6 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 400, 200, 100, 50 e 0mL m-3, respectivamente. Todas as doses de CaC2 e de etileno aceleraram a perda de firmeza, o aumento do teor de sólidos solúveis e de carotenóides, a redução da acidez e a mudança de cor da casca e da polpa dos frutos. Por outro lado, esses produtos também acentuaram a perda de eletrólitos celulares e de ácido ascórbico. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, a queda da firmeza foi mais brusca em relação aos tratados com CaC2. No entanto, o extravasamento de solutos foi maior para frutos tratados com CaC2. O aumento no teor de sólidos solúveis foi proporcional ao aumento das doses de CaC2 e de etileno. Doses de 20g de CaC2 e 50mL de etileno por m³ de câmara foram suficientes para antecipar e uniformizar o amadurecimento de manga 'Ubá'.

Physiologically mature 'Ubá' mangoes were treated with ethylene or calcium carbide (CaC2) aiming to accelerate and standardize fruit ripening. Fruits with mean weight of 133.8±1.9g were treated with concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160g CaC2 chamber m-3 and 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400mL of ethylene/chamber m³, in chambers at 18.1±0.7°C and 90±3 percent RH, for 24h. After the treatment, the fruits were kept under the same conditions of temperature and RH, and were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days of storage. Ethylene and CaC2 increased mass loss of the fruits. Mangoes treated with CaC2 showed the respiratory climacteric peak at 3, 6, 9, 9 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 160, 80, 40, 20 and 0g m-3, respectively. Fruits treated with ethylene showed the peak at 3, 3, 6, 6 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 400, 200, 100, 50 and 0mL m-3, respectively. All concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene accelerated the loss of firmness, the increase of soluble solids and carotenoids, the reduction of acidity and the change in color of skin and pulp. However, these products also increased electrolyte leakage and decreased ascorbic acid content. Fruits treated with ethylene showed sharper firmness loss compared with fruits treated with CaC2. On the other hand, solute leakage was higher in fruits treated with CaC2. Soluble solids content increased with increasing concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene. The concentrations of 20g of CaC2 and 50mL of ethylene per chamber m³ were sufficient to accelerate and uniformize ripening of 'Ubá' mango.

RESUMEN

Fifteen-day-old variety NA 56-79 sugar cane seedlings were inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense and Glomus intrarradix. This article aims at examining changes in sugar cane root seedlings inoculated with Glomus intrarradix and Azospirillum brasilense, the increase in microbial biomass and the acetylene reduction process as well. The internal root colonization was studied 20 days after inoculation using scanning and a transmission electron microscope. Both microorganisms entered the sugar cane root through the emergent lateral roots. The microorganisms were capable of coexisting both intra and intercellularly, producing changes in the cell wall, thus allowing colonization and interaction between the organisms. These changes increased the number of microorganisms inside the root as well as acetylene nitrogen reduction. Sugar cane plant biomass increased with joint-inoculation. The number of endophytic microorganisms and nitrogen fixing activity increased when they were colonized by Azospirillum and Glomus together.

RESUMEN

Physiologically mature 'Ubá' mangoes were treated with ethylene or calcium carbide (CaC2) aiming to accelerate and standardize fruit ripening. Fruits with mean weight of 133.8±1.9g were treated with concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160g CaC2 chamber m-3 and 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400mL of ethylene/chamber m³, in chambers at 18.1±0.7°C and 90±3% RH, for 24h. After the treatment, the fruits were kept under the same conditions of temperature and RH, and were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days of storage. Ethylene and CaC2 increased mass loss of the fruits. Mangoes treated with CaC2 showed the respiratory climacteric peak at 3, 6, 9, 9 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 160, 80, 40, 20 and 0g m-3, respectively. Fruits treated with ethylene showed the peak at 3, 3, 6, 6 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 400, 200, 100, 50 and 0mL m-3, respectively. All concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene accelerated the loss of firmness, the increase of soluble solids and carotenoids, the reduction of acidity and the change in color of skin and pulp. However, these products also increased electrolyte leakage and decreased ascorbic acid content. Fruits treated with ethylene showed sharper firmness loss compared with fruits treated with CaC2. On the other hand, solute leakage was higher in fruits treated with CaC2. Soluble solids content increased with increasing concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene. The concentrations of 20g of CaC2 and 50mL of ethylene per chamber m³ were sufficient to accelerate and uniformize ripening of 'Ubá' mango.

Mangas 'Ubá' fisiologicamente maduras foram tratadas com etileno ou carbureto de cálcio (CaC2) visando à antecipação e à uniformização do amadurecimento. Frutos com massa média de 133,8±1,9g foram expostos às doses de 0, 20, 40, 80 e 160g de CaC2 m-3 de câmara ou 0, 50, 100, 200 e 400mL de etileno m-3 de câmara durante 24h, em câmaras a 18,1±0,7°C e 90±3% de UR. Após o tratamento, os frutos permaneceram sob as mesmas condições de temperatura e UR, e foram avaliados aos 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 dias de armazenamento. O etileno e o CaC2 acentuaram a perda de massa das mangas. Nos frutos tratados com CaC2, o pico climatérico respiratório ocorreu aos 3, 6, 9, 9 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 160, 80, 40, 20 e 0g/m³, respectivamente. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, este pico foi registrado aos 3, 3, 6, 6 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 400, 200, 100, 50 e 0mL m-3, respectivamente. Todas as doses de CaC2 e de etileno aceleraram a perda de firmeza, o aumento do teor de sólidos solúveis e de carotenóides, a redução da acidez e a mudança de cor da casca e da polpa dos frutos. Por outro lado, esses produtos também acentuaram a perda de eletrólitos celulares e de ácido ascórbico. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, a queda da firmeza foi mais brusca em relação aos tratados com CaC2. No entanto, o extravasamento de solutos foi maior para frutos tratados com CaC2. O aumento no teor de sólidos solúveis foi proporcional ao aumento das doses de CaC2 e de etileno. Doses de 20g de CaC2 e 50mL de etileno por m³ de câmara foram suficientes para antecipar e uniformizar o amadurecimento de manga 'Ubá'.

RESUMEN

Physiologically mature 'Ubá' mangoes were treated with ethylene or calcium carbide (CaC2) aiming to accelerate and standardize fruit ripening. Fruits with mean weight of 133.8±1.9g were treated with concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160g CaC2 chamber m-3 and 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400mL of ethylene/chamber m³, in chambers at 18.1±0.7°C and 90±3% RH, for 24h. After the treatment, the fruits were kept under the same conditions of temperature and RH, and were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days of storage. Ethylene and CaC2 increased mass loss of the fruits. Mangoes treated with CaC2 showed the respiratory climacteric peak at 3, 6, 9, 9 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 160, 80, 40, 20 and 0g m-3, respectively. Fruits treated with ethylene showed the peak at 3, 3, 6, 6 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 400, 200, 100, 50 and 0mL m-3, respectively. All concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene accelerated the loss of firmness, the increase of soluble solids and carotenoids, the reduction of acidity and the change in color of skin and pulp. However, these products also increased electrolyte leakage and decreased ascorbic acid content. Fruits treated with ethylene showed sharper firmness loss compared with fruits treated with CaC2. On the other hand, solute leakage was higher in fruits treated with CaC2. Soluble solids content increased with increasing concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene. The concentrations of 20g of CaC2 and 50mL of ethylene per chamber m³ were sufficient to accelerate and uniformize ripening of 'Ubá' mango.

Mangas 'Ubá' fisiologicamente maduras foram tratadas com etileno ou carbureto de cálcio (CaC2) visando à antecipação e à uniformização do amadurecimento. Frutos com massa média de 133,8±1,9g foram expostos às doses de 0, 20, 40, 80 e 160g de CaC2 m-3 de câmara ou 0, 50, 100, 200 e 400mL de etileno m-3 de câmara durante 24h, em câmaras a 18,1±0,7°C e 90±3% de UR. Após o tratamento, os frutos permaneceram sob as mesmas condições de temperatura e UR, e foram avaliados aos 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 dias de armazenamento. O etileno e o CaC2 acentuaram a perda de massa das mangas. Nos frutos tratados com CaC2, o pico climatérico respiratório ocorreu aos 3, 6, 9, 9 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 160, 80, 40, 20 e 0g/m³, respectivamente. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, este pico foi registrado aos 3, 3, 6, 6 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 400, 200, 100, 50 e 0mL m-3, respectivamente. Todas as doses de CaC2 e de etileno aceleraram a perda de firmeza, o aumento do teor de sólidos solúveis e de carotenóides, a redução da acidez e a mudança de cor da casca e da polpa dos frutos. Por outro lado, esses produtos também acentuaram a perda de eletrólitos celulares e de ácido ascórbico. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, a queda da firmeza foi mais brusca em relação aos tratados com CaC2. No entanto, o extravasamento de solutos foi maior para frutos tratados com CaC2. O aumento no teor de sólidos solúveis foi proporcional ao aumento das doses de CaC2 e de etileno. Doses de 20g de CaC2 e 50mL de etileno por m³ de câmara foram suficientes para antecipar e uniformizar o amadurecimento de manga 'Ubá'.

RESUMEN

Physiologically mature 'Ubá' mangoes were treated with ethylene or calcium carbide (CaC2) aiming to accelerate and standardize fruit ripening. Fruits with mean weight of 133.8±1.9g were treated with concentrations of 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160g CaC2 chamber m-3 and 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400mL of ethylene/chamber m³, in chambers at 18.1±0.7°C and 90±3% RH, for 24h. After the treatment, the fruits were kept under the same conditions of temperature and RH, and were evaluated at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days of storage. Ethylene and CaC2 increased mass loss of the fruits. Mangoes treated with CaC2 showed the respiratory climacteric peak at 3, 6, 9, 9 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 160, 80, 40, 20 and 0g m-3, respectively. Fruits treated with ethylene showed the peak at 3, 3, 6, 6 and 12 days of storage for the concentrations 400, 200, 100, 50 and 0mL m-3, respectively. All concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene accelerated the loss of firmness, the increase of soluble solids and carotenoids, the reduction of acidity and the change in color of skin and pulp. However, these products also increased electrolyte leakage and decreased ascorbic acid content. Fruits treated with ethylene showed sharper firmness loss compared with fruits treated with CaC2. On the other hand, solute leakage was higher in fruits treated with CaC2. Soluble solids content increased with increasing concentrations of CaC2 and ethylene. The concentrations of 20g of CaC2 and 50mL of ethylene per chamber m³ were sufficient to accelerate and uniformize ripening of 'Ubá' mango.

Mangas 'Ubá' fisiologicamente maduras foram tratadas com etileno ou carbureto de cálcio (CaC2) visando à antecipação e à uniformização do amadurecimento. Frutos com massa média de 133,8±1,9g foram expostos às doses de 0, 20, 40, 80 e 160g de CaC2 m-3 de câmara ou 0, 50, 100, 200 e 400mL de etileno m-3 de câmara durante 24h, em câmaras a 18,1±0,7°C e 90±3% de UR. Após o tratamento, os frutos permaneceram sob as mesmas condições de temperatura e UR, e foram avaliados aos 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 e 15 dias de armazenamento. O etileno e o CaC2 acentuaram a perda de massa das mangas. Nos frutos tratados com CaC2, o pico climatérico respiratório ocorreu aos 3, 6, 9, 9 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 160, 80, 40, 20 e 0g/m³, respectivamente. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, este pico foi registrado aos 3, 3, 6, 6 e 12 dias de armazenamento para as doses 400, 200, 100, 50 e 0mL m-3, respectivamente. Todas as doses de CaC2 e de etileno aceleraram a perda de firmeza, o aumento do teor de sólidos solúveis e de carotenóides, a redução da acidez e a mudança de cor da casca e da polpa dos frutos. Por outro lado, esses produtos também acentuaram a perda de eletrólitos celulares e de ácido ascórbico. Nos frutos tratados com etileno, a queda da firmeza foi mais brusca em relação aos tratados com CaC2. No entanto, o extravasamento de solutos foi maior para frutos tratados com CaC2. O aumento no teor de sólidos solúveis foi proporcional ao aumento das doses de CaC2 e de etileno. Doses de 20g de CaC2 e 50mL de etileno por m³ de câmara foram suficientes para antecipar e uniformizar o amadurecimento de manga 'Ubá'.

RESUMEN

Nitrogen fertilization of forests using biosolids offers a potentially environmentally friendly means to accelerate tree growth. This field study was designed to analyze the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the symbiotic, nitrogen (N)-fixing relationship between Alnus rubra Bong. (red alder) and Frankia. Anaerobically digested, class B biosolids and synthetic urea (46% N) were applied at rates of 140, 280 and 560 kg ha-1 available N to a well-drained, sandy, glacial outwash soil in the Indianola series (mixed, mesic Dystric Xeropsamments). Plots were planted with A. rubra seedlings. At the end of each of two growing seasons trees were harvested and analyzed for the rate of N fixation (as acetylene reduction activity), biomass and foliar N. At year 1, there was no N fixation for trees grown with urea amendments, but control (17 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1) and biosolids (26-45 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1) trees were fixing N. At the end of year 2, all trees in all treatments were fixing N (7 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1, 4-16 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1, and 20-29 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1 for control, urea and biosolids respectively). Trees grown with biosolids amendments were larger overall (year 1 shoot biomass 10 g, 5 g, and 23 g for control, urea, and biosolids respectively, year 2 shoot biomass 50 g, 51 g, and 190 g for control, urea, and biosolids respectively) with higher concentrations of foliar N for both years of the study (year 1 foliar N 26 g kg-1, 27 g kg-1, and 40 g kg-1 for control, urea, and biosolids respectively, year 2 foliar N 17 g kg-1, 19 g kg-1, and 23 g kg-1 for control, urea, and biosolids respectively). Trees grown with urea amendments appeared to use the urea N over Frankia supplied N, whereas the biosolids trees appeared to be able to use both N in biosolids and N from Frankia. The results from this study indicated that the greater growth of A. rubra may have been responsible for the observed higher N demand. Biosolids may have supplied other nutrients to the trees to support this accelerated growth.

A fertilização nitrogenada de florestas com biosólidos constitui um meio de aceleração do crescimento das plantas potencialmente não impactante ao meio. Os efeitos de fertilização de nitrogênio atmosférico na relação simbiôntica e de fixação de nitrogênio Alnus rubra Bong. (amieiro vermelho) e Frankia foram avaliados em um estudo de campo. Biosólidos classe B digeridos anaerobicamente e uréia sintética (46% N) foram aplicados a taxas de 140, 280 e 560 kg ha-1 de N disponível em um solo tipo Areia Quartzosa. Ao contrário das plantas do grupo controle (17 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1) ou fertilizadas com biosólidos (26-45 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1), plantas fertilizadas com uréia não apresentavam fixação de nitrogênio após um ano de cultivo. Ao final do segundo ano, todas as árvores em todos os tratamentos fixavam N (7 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1; 4-16 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1; e 20-29 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1 para controle, uréia e biosólidos, respectivamente). Plantas cultivadas sob remediação com biosólidos apresentaram maior biomassa na parte aérea ao final do ano 2 (50 g; 51 g; e 190 g para controle, uréia, e biosólidos, respectivamente), e também maiores concentrações de nitrogênio foliar em ambos os períodos analisados (N foliar no ano 1 26 g kg-1, 27 g kg-1, e 40 g kg-1; N foliar no ano 2 17 g kg-1, 19 g kg-1, and 23 g kg-1, respectivamente para controle, uréia e biosólidos). A maior taxa de crescimento de A. rubra pode ter resultado em maior exigência em N e os biosólidos supriram quantidades adicionais de nutrientes capazes de sustentar o crescimento acelerado.

RESUMEN

Nitrogen fertilization of forests using biosolids offers a potentially environmentally friendly means to accelerate tree growth. This field study was designed to analyze the effects of nitrogen fertilization on the symbiotic, nitrogen (N)-fixing relationship between Alnus rubra Bong. (red alder) and Frankia. Anaerobically digested, class B biosolids and synthetic urea (46% N) were applied at rates of 140, 280 and 560 kg ha-1 available N to a well-drained, sandy, glacial outwash soil in the Indianola series (mixed, mesic Dystric Xeropsamments). Plots were planted with A. rubra seedlings. At the end of each of two growing seasons trees were harvested and analyzed for the rate of N fixation (as acetylene reduction activity), biomass and foliar N. At year 1, there was no N fixation for trees grown with urea amendments, but control (17 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1) and biosolids (26-45 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1) trees were fixing N. At the end of year 2, all trees in all treatments were fixing N (7 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1, 4-16 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1, and 20-29 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1 for control, urea and biosolids respectively). Trees grown with biosolids amendments were larger overall (year 1 shoot biomass 10 g, 5 g, and 23 g for control, urea, and biosolids respectively, year 2 shoot biomass 50 g, 51 g, and 190 g for control, urea, and biosolids respectively) with higher concentrations of foliar N for both years of the study (year 1 foliar N 26 g kg-1, 27 g kg-1, and 40 g kg-1 for control, urea, and biosolids respectively, year 2 foliar N 17 g kg-1, 19 g kg-1, and 23 g kg-1 for control, urea, and biosolids respectively). Trees grown with urea amendments appeared to use the urea N over Frankia supplied N, whereas the biosolids trees appeared to be able to use both N in biosolids and N from Frankia. The results from this study indicated that the greater growth of A. rubra may have been responsible for the observed higher N demand. Biosolids may have supplied other nutrients to the trees to support this accelerated growth.

A fertilização nitrogenada de florestas com biosólidos constitui um meio de aceleração do crescimento das plantas potencialmente não impactante ao meio. Os efeitos de fertilização de nitrogênio atmosférico na relação simbiôntica e de fixação de nitrogênio Alnus rubra Bong. (amieiro vermelho) e Frankia foram avaliados em um estudo de campo. Biosólidos classe B digeridos anaerobicamente e uréia sintética (46% N) foram aplicados a taxas de 140, 280 e 560 kg ha-1 de N disponível em um solo tipo Areia Quartzosa. Ao contrário das plantas do grupo controle (17 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1) ou fertilizadas com biosólidos (26-45 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1), plantas fertilizadas com uréia não apresentavam fixação de nitrogênio após um ano de cultivo. Ao final do segundo ano, todas as árvores em todos os tratamentos fixavam N (7 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1; 4-16 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1; e 20-29 µmol C2H4 g-1 hr-1 para controle, uréia e biosólidos, respectivamente). Plantas cultivadas sob remediação com biosólidos apresentaram maior biomassa na parte aérea ao final do ano 2 (50 g; 51 g; e 190 g para controle, uréia, e biosólidos, respectivamente), e também maiores concentrações de nitrogênio foliar em ambos os períodos analisados (N foliar no ano 1 26 g kg-1, 27 g kg-1, e 40 g kg-1; N foliar no ano 2 17 g kg-1, 19 g kg-1, and 23 g kg-1, respectivamente para controle, uréia e biosólidos). A maior taxa de crescimento de A. rubra pode ter resultado em maior exigência em N e os biosólidos supriram quantidades adicionais de nutrientes capazes de sustentar o crescimento acelerado.