Henrique Rocha de Medeiros

Rendimento e composição químico-bromatológica de fenos triturados de gramíneas tropicais

The research was carried out to evaluate yield, chemical composition and losses of chopped tropical grass hays with the following forages: pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum), sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense), elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum) and two cultivars of forage sorghum (SF-25 and IPA-467-4-2) (Sorghum bicolor). The materials were harvested at 30% flowering, except for elephantgrass (60 days). The experiment was conducted according to a complete randomized block design, with five treatments and four replications. There were significant differences among hay productions with sorghum cultivars IPA-467-4-2 and SF-25 reaching the highest yields (10.85 and 10.65 t/ha/cut). Production of elephantgrass, sudangrass and pearl millet hays were respectively of 6.94, 6.69, and 4.93 t/ha/cut. Percentage of hay losses were not different among all treatments and varied from 17.33 to 20.17%. Pearl millet and sudangrass hays had the highest CP concentrations (10.56 and 8.80%), which were superior to elephantgrass (6.76%) and sorghum cultivars (5.62 and 5.50%). Most of the NDF values were superior to 70.0%. Sorghum cultivars exhibited the lowest NDIN concentration (0.42 and 0.40% of DM). The ADIN concentration ranged from 0.06 to 0.30% of DM. The highest lignin (%DM) concentration was observed for pearl millet (6.52%) and sorghum IPA-467-4-2 (6.17%) hays. Estimated TDN of the hays showed significant differences and sudangrass reached the highest value (53.35%). Production of chopped tropical grass hays showed high yields and chemical composition according to the minimum standards for ruminant nutrition.

Evaluation of reference genes for real-time PCR studies of Brazilian Somalis sheep infected by gastrointestinal nematodes.

Precise normalization with reference genes is necessary, in order to obtain reliable relative expression data in response to gastrointestinal nematode infection. By using sheep from temperate regions as models, three reference genes, viz., ribosomal protein LO (RPLO), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA), were investigated in the abomasum, abomasal lymph nodes and small intestine of Brazilian Somalis sheep, either resistant or susceptible to gastrointestinal nematodes infections. Real time PCR was carried out by using SYBR Green I dye, and gene stability was tested by geNorm. RPLO was an ideal reference gene, since its expression was constant across treatments, presented lower variation, and was ranked as the most stable in abomasum and lymph node tissues. On the other hand, SDHA was the most stable in the small intestine followed by RPLO and GAPDH. These findings demonstrate the importance of correctly choosing reference genes prior to relative quantification. In addition, we determined that reference genes used in sheep from temperate regions, when properly tested, can be applied in animals from tropical regions such as the Brazilian Somalis sheep.

Produção e qualidade do leite de cabras de torneios leiteiros

The objective of this study was to evaluate the average daily production, the physicochemical components and microbiological agents in milk of primiparous and multiparous dairy goats that participate in dairy tournaments in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Analyses were carried out on 111 samples of goat milk from 106 goats (39 Saanen, 6 Toggenburg and 61 crossbred) grouped into categories by number of parity (primiparous and multiparous) and stage of lactation [initial (0 to 30 days), peak (30 to 45 days) and decrease (over 45 days)]. The data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. The multiparous goats had higher average production at the beginning (4.41 kg/day) and peak (5.42 kg/day) of lactation. Between breeds there was no difference for average production (4.62 kg/day), freezing point (-0.488o C), pH (6.64), density (1.030 g/L), fat (3.60%), protein (2.90%) lactose (4.89%), dry extract (8.41%) or total solids (12.06%). Mesophiles (log CFU/mL) and fecal coliforms (log MPN/mL) were found in milk from goats, but no difference was observed between the orders of parity or between breeds. Multiparous goats had higher milk production, but did not differ from the primiparous goats regarding the composition, physical characteristics and microbiology of milk. The milk of 3 breeds (Saanen, Toggenburg and crossbred) presented similar physico-chemical, microbiological and production characteristics.

Consumo voluntário e digestibilidade de fenos triturados de gramíneas tropicais em caprinos

The objective of this trial was to investigate intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients on goats fed one of the following chopped grass hays: pearl millet (PMH), sudangrass (SH), elephantgrass (EH) or two cultivars of forage sorghum (FSH1 and FSH2). Twenty-five goats averaging 18 months of age and 19.5 kg of body weight were assigned to a completely randomized block design with five treatments and five replicates. DM intake (DMI), expressed as percentage of body weight (% BW), did not differ and averaged 2.41, 2.33, 2.25, 1.82, and 1.85%, respectively, for PMH, SH, EH, FSH1, and FSH2. The same was observed for the intakes of OM and NDF. However, CP intake as % BW was greater on goats fed PMH and SH than on those fed EH, FSH1, and FSH2. No significant differences were observed for the apparent total tract digestibility of DM that varied from 49.87 to 55.90% across hays. CP digestibility was lowest on FSH2, intermediate on SH and FSH1, and greatest on PMH and EH while that of NDF differed significantly only by comparing PMH (64.44%) with FSH2 (54.72%). It can be concluded that the overall nutritional quality of all five hays were similar and further research is required to verify potential differences in animal performance among these forage sources.

Substituição parcial do milho por sorgo granífero na alimentação de suínos nas fases de creche, crescimento e terminação

The study evaluated the effect of partial substitution of corn by sorghum in diet of castrated pigs and the effects on performance, carcass traits and economic feasibility. It were used 27 crossbred barrows from commercial line with 19.66 ± 2,92kg of initial live weight, divided in three groups with increasing rates of sorghum - 0%, 25% and 50% - replacing corn, distributed in a completely randomized design. The trial evaluated: daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed:gain ratio, backfat thickness and blood biochemical parameters - urea, total proteins, creatinine, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. For carcass traits it was evaluated: hot and cold carcass weight, hot and cold carcass yield, pH and temperature in hot and cold carcasses and industrial weight cuts. For economy feasibility was calculated the cost of feed consumed, cost of pig kg, average cost index and economy efficiency rate. It was used regression analysis to evaluate the productive variables. No effects were found for performance data and carcass traits. For the biochemical variables, the effects were linear for urea and total protein, with animals in control group (0% of sorghum) showing higher rates. The bioeconomical performance showed that 50% sorghum had the lowest cost and the highest rate of economic efficiency. Thus, it was concluded that substitution of corn by sorghum at levels up to 50% of the diet represents an alternative to sustainability of regional swine production.

Levantamento florístico e fitossóciológico em área de caatinga manipulada durante o período chuvoso

Objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar o levantamento floristico do estrato herbaceo em area de Caatinga pastejada por caprinos durante o periodo chuvoso. O trabalho foi realizado na fazenda experimental Crioula, area fisica da EMBRAPA Caprinos e Ovinos, localizada na zona fisiografica do Sertao Cearense, municipio de Sobral, CE. O experimento foi realizado em uma area de 4,8 ha pastejada por um rebanho de 19 matrizes caprinas, onde foram lancadas vinte vezes a cada mes uma moldura (1,0 m x 0,25 m), para identificacao do numero de especies, familias e feita contagem do numero de individuos por especie em cada parcela. O numero de parcelas amostradas foi suficiente para refletir a fitodiversidade do local estudado. Foram identificadas 15 familias e 30 especies ao longo do periodo chuvoso. A familia que apresentou maior numero de especies foi Leguminoseae (8). As especies com maiores densidades absoluta e relativa foram a Hyptis suaveolans (L.) Poit e Blainvillea rhomboidea Cass.. A dominância de especies de pouco ou nenhum valor forrageiro indicaram elevado nivel de degradacao da pastagem e o ciclo de vida efemero de algumas especies presentes na area afetou a composicao floristica ao longo do periodo chuvoso. DOI: 10.15528/2176-4158/rcpa.v17n1p41-49

Avaliação dos impactos ambientais e sociais gerados pela utilização do kit Embrapa de ordenha manual na produção de leite de cabra

This study aimed to assess the social and environmental expectations of producers and the exante and ex-post evaluation of the environmental and social impacts of using Embrapa`s milking kit for dairy goats in agricultural family farmers. Two studies were conducted: the first study was conducted in 37 properties distributed between the municipalities of Monteiro/PB, Quixadá/CE e Afonso Bezerra/RN and the second study was conducted on 14 properties in the city of Monteiro/PB. This evaluation of social and environmental impact was done using the methodology of the “Sistema de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental de Inovações Tecnológicas Agropecuárias” (Ambitec-Agro), which were implemented two modules: Ambitec-Animal Production and Welfare. For the study two the data used in this study were obtained through questionnaires and interview with farmers, whose had attributed to each variable a specific value that represents the change provided by the implementation of that technology. The farmers expects that the adoption of Embrapa`s Milking Kit led to overall rates of positive environmental and social impacts, with the Monteiro region, the county showing a statistical difference at 5% level. The adoption of the Embrapa kit has generated positive environmental and social impacts on all properties, indicating that this technology is suitable and may be appropriate in family farming systems.

Levantamento Florístico do Estrato Herbáceo em Área de Caatinga Pastejada por Caprinos Durante o Período Chuvoso

O trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de conhecer a composicao floristica do estrato herbaceo de uma area de Caatinga pastejada por caprinos durante o periodo chuvoso (fevereiro a julho), realizado na fazenda experimental Crioula, CE. Numa area de 4,8 ha utilizada durante todo ano por 19 matrizes Anglo-Nubiana foram realizadas coletas mensais para identificacao das especies presentes utilizando uma moldura com dimensao de 1,0 m x 0,25 m, lancada 20 vezes em toda a area. A flora herbacea foi representada por 15 familias e 30 especies ao longo dos 6 meses de avaliacao. Leguminosae foi a familia que apresentou maior numero de especies (8) seguida das familias Asteraceae e Poaceae com 3 especies cada. As especies Bidens sp., Auxemma oncocalyx, Combretum leprosum Mart., Ipomoea sp., Hyptis suaveolans (L.) Poit, Clidemia hirta e Fleurya aestuans L. estiveram presentes em todo periodo de avaliacao. O ciclo de vida efemero de algumas especies presentes na area afetou a composicao floristica ao longo do periodo chuvoso. DOI:10.15528/2176-4158/rcpa.v14n2p161-164