DESEMPENHOS TÉCNICOS E ECONÔMICOS DA CONSORCIAÇÃO DE MILHO COM FORRAGEIRAS DOS GÊNEROS Panicum E Brachiaria EM SISTEMA DE INTEGRAÇÃO LAVOURA-PECUÁRIA
The objective of this research was to evaluate the technical and economic performance of methods for corn cropping with Brachiaria and Panicum genuses forages, in crop-livestock integration systems under no-tillage. The experiment was conducted in Selviria, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, in a Distroferric Red Latosol (Oxisol), during the growing seasons of 2007 and 2008. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications. The treatments consisted of eight methods for growing corn intercropped with Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania, Panicum maximum cv. Mombaca, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, and Brachiaria ruziziensis , sown simultaneously or at side dressing nitrogen fertilization, besides single grown corn. The operating cost analysis was based on prices of inputs and operations, and the revenue at the average price for corn in Sao Paulo State. The decreasing cost-benefit ratio and the best economic returns, obtained due to higher index of contribution margin, determined the most feasible cropping methods. The Panicum maximum cv. Mombaca and Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, intercropped simultaneously with corn, provided less grain yield than single grown corn. As related to technical and economic benefits of the consortium to be used in crop-livestock integration systems, the most recommended is corn with Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania, mainly in the simultaneous sowing. However, technical and economic results in the long term, with different prices and yields, must be evaluated. KEY-WORDS: Contribution margin; grain yield; cost-benefit ratio; no-tillage system; Zea mays L.
Opções de integração lavoura-pecuária e alguns de seus aspectos econômicos.
Introducao. Consorcio de culturas anuais com forrageiras pelo Sistema Barreirao. Consorcio de culturas anuais com forrageiras pelo Sistema Santa Fe. Rotacao lavoura-pecuaria. Sucessao anual cultura anual-forrageira anual. Aspectos economicos de sistemas ILP conduzidos pela Embrapa Arroz e Feijao. Integracao lavoura-pecuaria: o caso da Fazenda Dona Isabina, Santa Carmem, MT. Integracao lavoura-pecuaria: o caso da Fazenda Santa Luzia, Sao Raimundo das Mangabeiras, MA. Integracao lavoura-pecuaria: o caso da Fazenda Capivara, Santo Antonio de Goias, GO. Indicadores zootecnicos e economicos avaliados em maio 2007. Consideracoes finais.
Gut immunity in Lepidopteran insects.
Lepidopteran insects constitute one of the largest fractions of animals on earth, but are considered pests in their relationship with man. Key to the success of this order of insects is its ability to digest food and absorb nutrition, which takes place in the midgut. Because environmental microorganisms can easily enter Lepidopteran guts during feeding, the innate immune response guards against pathogenic bacteria, virus and microsporidia that can be devoured with food. Gut immune responses are complicated by both resident gut microbiota and the surrounding peritrophic membrane and are distinct from immune responses in the body cavity, which depend on the function of the fat body and hemocytes. Due to their relevance to agricultural production, studies of Lepidopteran insect midgut and immunity are receiving more attention, and here we summarize gut structures and functions, and discuss how these confer immunity against different microorganisms. It is expected that increased knowledge of Lepidopteran gut immunity may be utilized for pest biological control in the future.