Maria Márcia Pereira Sartori

Aims: To address the severe defoliation caused by the invasive bronze bug, Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae), this study investigated the mass production potential of three entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) strains and the specific biocontrol efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae against this pest. Methods and results: Initially, Cordyceps javanica (LCBPF 11), M. anisopliae (LCBPF 31), and Beauveria bassiana (LCBPF 46) produced > 1 × 10⁹ conidia g⁻¹ in solid-state fermentation. To scale production, liquid culture was selected for C. javanica and M. anisopliae using industrial by-products (corn flour and molasses), while M. anisopliae was further compared in a rice flour-dextrose-yeast extract (M1) medium. Fitness assays revealed that while M. anisopliae blastospores (M1) were more heat-susceptible at 45°C (LT50 0.182 h) than aerial conidia (LT50 1.621 h), survival analysis of bioassays against T. peregrinus adults revealed highly significant differences among treatments. Remarkably, all M. anisopliae propagules achieved 100% mortality within 5 days, with blastospores produced in M1 medium reaching an LT50 of only 1.81 days. Furthermore, Cox proportional hazards modeling confirmed that these optimized blastospores (M1) presented a mortality risk 2.51 times higher than the commercial standard Metarril® based on aerial conidia (Hazard Ratio = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.90–3.31). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of M. anisopliae blastospores successfully infecting T. peregrinus. Taken altogether, these findings demonstrate the technical feasibility and significant potential of these rapid-acting infective propagules for the management of this forest pest.

Summary: Crop rotation is a widely recommended strategy for sustainable management of plant-parasitic nematodes. However, the ecological adaptability of Rotylenchulus reniformis raises questions about its long-term suppression under different cropping systems. This study evaluated how soybean and maize affect the population density and vertical distribution of R. reniformis in a tropical no-till system. Nematode densities were quantified in soybean and maize fields and compared with fallow soil across two phenological stages (80 and 140 days after planting) and two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm). Soybean markedly increased R. reniformis densities and promoted vertical displacement from the surface to the subsurface layer over the crop cycle. Maize maintained lower densities that were statistically similar to fallow soil, although modest increases at 140 days after planting indicate that the crop does not fully suppress nematode persistence. These findings demonstrate that R. reniformis responds strongly to soybean but can persist under maize, highlighting the need for rotational strategies that consider both host suitability and depth distribution.

Air assistance and electrical charge transfer to droplets can optimize pesticide applications and reduce losses in sweet pepper cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of spray rate and pneumatic spraying with and without an electrostatic charge on spray deposition, spray coverage, and ground losses in sweet pepper crops. Four application techniques were employed: standard farmer hydraulics (SFH), reduced volume hydraulics (RVH), pneumatic with air and electrostatic assistance (PAEA), and pneumatic with air assistance (PAA). The effects of the application techniques on spray deposition varied as a function of plant height, canopy depth, and leaf surface. The SFH resulted in the greatest amounts of spray deposition on the adaxial leaf surface. In contrast, PAEA resulted in the greatest amounts of deposition on the abaxial leaves. The PAEA treatment improved spray coverage on abaxial leaves of the external canopy but did not improve spray coverage on the internal canopy. Compared to the SFH treatment, the 50% reduction in the spray rate of the RVH treatment decreased deposition and spray coverage. The pneumatic treatments, regardless of electrostatic charges, resulted in lower spray loss to the ground.

Air assistance and electrical charge transfer to droplets can optimize pesticide applications and reduce losses in sweet pepper cultivation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of spray rate and pneumatic spraying with and without an electrostatic charge on spray deposition, spray coverage, and ground losses in sweet pepper crops. Four application techniques were employed: standard farmer hydraulics (SFH), reduced volume hydraulics (RVH), pneumatic with air and electrostatic assistance (PAEA), and pneumatic with air assistance (PAA). The effects of the application techniques on spray deposition varied as a function of plant height, canopy depth, and leaf surface. The SFH resulted in the greatest amounts of spray deposition on adaxial leaf surface. In contrast, PAEA resulted in the greatest amounts of deposition on the abaxial leaves. The PAEA treatment improved spray coverage on abaxial leaves of the external canopy but did not improve spray coverage on the internal canopy. Compared to the SFH treatment, the 50% reduction in the spray rate of the RVH treatment decreased deposition and spray coverage. The pneumatic treatments, regardless of electrostatic charges, resulted in a lower spray lost to the ground.

Cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV, genus Carlavirus, family Betaflexividae) is an economically important virus infecting soybeans in Brazil, where it was initially identified in 1983. CPMMV is transmitted by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, and occasionally by seeds. Over the last three decades, the most invasive B. tabaci Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), and lately the Mediterranean (MED) cryptic species, have replaced the indigenous species in Brazil, with MEAM1 being predominant. In this study, we investigated the transmission properties of CPMMV by MEAM1 and MED, and their distribution in major soybean-growing areas in São Paulo State. Our results from transmission assays with a single insect revealed that MED is a more efficient vector compared to MEAM1, transmitting the virus within a two-minute inoculation access period. B. tabaci MEAM1 is still the predominant whitefly species in São Paulo State, but MED was also identified in different places, mainly in mixed infestations with MEAM1. Some areas transitioned to a predominance of MED over the three years, while others, where MED had previously been detected, showed a reduction in the insects during the same period. Understanding the transmission dynamics of CPMMV and the distribution of its vectors is crucial for implementing effective management strategies to control the virus spread and protect soybean crops. Further research into the mechanisms driving the shifts in whitefly species dominance and CPMMV distribution will be essential for sustaining soybean production in Brazil.

The use of electromagnetic energy for drying seeds has been shown to be a promising alternative. However, studies show that the technique still lacks careful evaluation due to the sensitivity of soybean seeds to damage caused using microwaves. Studies have shown that the use of microwaves during drying can be safe in seeds of soybeans, corn, and beans, among others. These studies recognize that drying using microwaves has a great potential for savings in the drying process, as it considerably reduces the drying time. This work aimed to evaluate the immediate damage caused in soybean seeds subjected to drying at temperatures of 40, 50, and 60 °C, with power of 0, 0.5, and 1 W/g at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The results of the vigor and germination tests showed that the action of microwaves on seeds was not only safe and more efficient but also brought about increases in seed germination and vigor. However, the process must be judicious and obey precise indices of power and temperature to not cause damage to the seeds.

Background: Chest pain is considered the second most frequent complaint among patients seeking emergency services. However, there is limited information in the literature about how the care provided to patients with chest pain, when being attended to in the emergency room, influences their clinical outcomes. Aims: To assess the relationship between care interventions performed on patients with cardiac chest pain and their immediate and late clinical outcomes and to identify which care interventions were essential to survival. Methods: In this retrospective study. We analyzed 153 medical records of patients presenting with chest pain at an emergency service center, São Paulo, Brazil. Participants were divided into two groups: (G1) remained hospitalized for a maximum of 24 h and (G2) remained hospitalized for between 25 h and 30 days. Results: Most of the participants were male 99 (64.7%), with a mean age of 63.2 years. The interventions central venous catheter, non-invasive blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry, and monitoring peripheral perfusion were commonly associated with survival at 24 h and 30 days. Advanced cardiovascular life support and basic support life (p = 0.0145; OR = 8053; 95% CI = 1385–46,833), blood transfusion (p < 0.0077; OR = 34,367; 95% CI = 6489–182,106), central venous catheter (p < 0.0001; OR = 7.69: 95% CI 1853–31,905), and monitoring peripheral perfusion (p < 0.0001; OR = 6835; 95% CI 1349–34,634) were independently associated with survival at 30 days by Cox Regression. Conclusions: Even though there have been many technological advances over the past decades, this study demonstrated that immediate and long-term survival depended on interventions received in an emergency room for many patients.

Seedling species with different architectures, e.g., mean leaf angles, are often subjected to the same irrigation management in forest nurseries, resulting in wasted water and fertilizer and reduced seedling quality. We aimed to evaluate whether irrigation volumes applied to tree seedling species with different leaf angles affect the physiological quality in forest nurseries and, consequently, performance after potting. We submitted nine seedling species with different mean leaf angles to four daily water regimes (8, 10, 12, and 14 mm). In the nursery, the following physiological attributes were considered to assess seedling quality: leaf water potential, daily transpiration rate, SPAD value, chlorophyll a and b, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and total nutrient content. After potting, we evaluated height and stem diameter over 120 days. Leaf angle can be used as a criterion for optimizing irrigation in forest nurseries, avoiding water and fertilizer wastage, and increasing physiological seedling quality. Leaf angle measurements combined with concurrent assessments of leaf traits are helpful in further understanding the effects of leaf angle variation and water regime on seedling quality. For positive leaf angles, an irrigation volume of 8 mm is sufficient to increase physiological seedling quality. Conversely, seedlings with negative leaf angles show the opposite response, requiring the largest irrigation volume (14 mm) to increase physiological seedling quality, except when the mean leaf area is small and concentrated in the upper half of the stem, which facilitates the access of irrigation water to the substrate and thus satisfies seedling water requirements. For all species, up to 120 days after planting in pots, the effect of the irrigation volume that provides greater growth and physiological quality at the end of the nursery phase is not overcome by other irrigation volumes applied.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), using two mineral sources (sulphate and hydroxy forms), on the bone characteristics, skin strength/elasticity, and haematological parameters of broilers. A total of 1792 1‐day‐old male Cobb‐500 broiler chickens were randomly distributed among eight dietary treatments, using Cu sulphate (CSM) or hydroxychloride (CHC), and Zn sulphate (ZSM) or hydroxychloride (ZHC). The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) low‐CSM/high‐ZSM, (2) high‐CSM/high‐ZSM, (3) low‐CHC/low‐ZHC, (4) low‐CHC/medium‐ZHC, (5) low‐CHC/high‐ZHC, (6) high‐CHC/low‐ZHC, (7) high‐CHC/medium‐ZHC, and (8) high‐CHC/high‐ZHC. On Day 42, blood samples were collected from one bird/pen to analyze the haematological parameters. Finally, two birds/pen were slaughtered, and the tibia and femur were collected to analyze the quality of bone and skin. The means were subjected to ANOVA and, when significant, compared by Tukey's test (p < 0.05) or Dunnett's (p < 0.05) test. The haematological parameters were not influenced by mineral supplementation. However, the inclusion of low ZHC enhanced the skin strength compared to high ZHC (p = 0.046). Furthermore, the bone mineral density of the tibia proximal epiphysis, tibia ash and tibia mineral content were positively improved with supplementation of low‐CHC/medium‐ZHC compared to high‐CHC/medium‐ZHC. This study demonstrated that hydroxy compounds are potential alternatives for replacing sulphate supplements in broiler diets. Moreover, among the Cu and Zn levels, the low CHC (15 mg/kg) and medium ZHC (100 mg/kg) improved bone development and skin integrity, suggesting that the combination of Cu and Zn can be a nutritional strategy to prevent the incidence of leg disorders in broilers.