Renata Graça Pinto Tomich

Potencial forrageiro de cultivares de girassol produzidos na safrinha para ensilagem

The objective of this study was to evaluate some important agronomic traits for silage production of 12 hybrids and a variety of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) participant of the national assay of sunflower, in the agricultural year of 1996/97. The experiment was conducted from February to June 1997. The experimental procedure followed a randomized block design and the means values were compared by Student-Newman-Keuls test. Significant differences among hybrids for fresh and dry matter productions, leaf, head and stem percentages, stems circumference close the head, broken plants percentage and height of the plants were observed. No significant differences among hybrids for stems circumference close the ground, diameter of the head and laying plants percentage were found. The agronomic traits indicated that some hybrids of sunflower present potential to be used for silage production in double-cropping system, or during the drought.

Potencial forrageiro de híbridos de sorgo com capim-sudão

The objective of this study was to evaluated the forage potential of 23 experimental genotypes and two check cultivars (AG2501C and BRS800) obtained by crossing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor cv. Bicolor) with sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor cv. Sudanense), managed in a cutting regime. The experimental procedure followed a completely randomized block design, including three replications per treatment and the mean values were compared by Scott-Knott test. Fifty seven days after sowing, the fresh matter production varied from 24.8 up to 37.8 t/ha, and dry matter production from 3.5 up to 5.8 t/ha, both results were not statistically different. It was observed great variation to leaf/stem ratio, and difference (P<0.05) among treatments. The height of the plants presented variation (P<0.05) among hybrids and was positively correlated (P<0.01) with the production characteristics. The productivity demonstrated the potential of these hybrids for forage production in central area of Brazil in the beginning of drought period. The significant difference in leaf/stem ratio could be used as a criterion for genotype selection.

Características químicas e digestibilidade in vitro de silagens de girassol

Silages of thirteen cultivars of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were evaluated for chemical characteristics and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The silages were produced when the plants presented above 90% of ripe grains. The experimental procedure followed a entirely randomized design and the mean values were compared by SNK test (P<.05). The smallest content of dry matter, 19.8%, was obtained for the hybrid M737, and the highest were observed for Contiflor 7, with 31.2%, and Cargill 11, with 32.2%. The pH values varied from 4.1 up to 5.5, and the contents of ammonia-nitrogen as percentage of total nitrogen varied from 5.9% up to 14.6%. The general averages obtained for lactic, acetic and butyric acids were of 7.1%, 1.9% and 0.06%, respectively. The hybrid Rumbosol 91 presented the smallest percentage of crude protein, with 7.2%, while contents above 9.0% were observed for five cultivars. The general average of ether extract (EE), 14.7%, was quite high when compared to others contents usually obtained for roughage. The contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and lignin presented general averages of 45.8%, 35.7% and 6.4%, and were negatively correlated to IVDMD (general average of 49.8%). The silages presented low concentrations of residual soluble carbohydrates. The high contents of ADF and lignin, and the average of IVDMD (49.8%) can restrict the application of the silages of those cultivars of sunflower for more the exigent categories of animals, and the high medium content of EE can limit the level of inclusion of those silages in bovine rations.

Leptospirosis serosurvey in bovines from Brazilian Pantanal using IGG ELISA with recombinant protein LipL32 and microscopic agglutination test

This investigation was carried out in Brazilian Pantanal: region with important biodiversity. This regions climatic conditions, hydrology and geomorphology as well as the existence of great variety of wild species favor the maintenance of the Leptospira in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate IgG ELISA with recombinant protein LipL32 in comparison with microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and additionally contribute to the knowledge of the distribution of the one of most important worldwide zoonotic infection, assessing the seropositivity of bovine leptospirosis in beef cattle herds of Brazilian Pantanal, an important ecological preserved area, where cattle constitute not only the most important economic resource but also the major activity compatible of the conservation of natural resource of the region. Out of 282 samples of cattle serum analyzed, 143 (50.71%) were positive in MAT. The serovar Hardjo (genotypic Hardjoprajitno and Hardjobovis), Wolffi and Ballum showed the largest frequency of reactive samples. In the IgG ELISA rLipL32, 161 samples (57.09%) were positive. This result was higher than obtained by MAT (p<0.001). The sensitivity of the ELISA test was 99.30% and the specificity was 86.33%, based on the MAT. This test was shown to be a more sensitive, specific and accurate test for the diagnosis of bovine leptospirosis compared to the MAT.

Metodologia para avaliação das boas práticas de fabricação em indústrias de pão de queijo

Este trabalho objetivou adaptar uma metodologia para a avaliacao da aplicacao das Boas Praticas de Fabricacao (BPF) em industrias de massas congeladas de paes de queijo. Foram utilizados nove questionarios englobando perguntas pertinentes a avaliacao das condicoes de infra-estrutura, higienizacao e processamento adotados nessas industrias. Para a avaliacao quantitativa dos dados, cada item dos questionarios foi classificado como recomendavel, necessario ou imprescindivel e pontuado (1, 2 e 4 pontos, respectivamente). Os questionarios foram aplicados a uma industria de pao de queijo localizada em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. A pontuacao ponderada do estabelecimento (PPE) foi calculada atribuindo-se pesos calculados em funcao da frequencia relativa dos itens imprescindiveis de cada bloco. A PPE foi utilizada para a classificacao da industria como excelente, muito boa, boa, regular ou ruim. Para certificar a eficiencia da metodologia, a mesma industria foi avaliada por analises microbiologicas das materias-primas, das massas congeladas de pao de queijo, do ar ambiente, das maos dos manipuladores de alimentos e dos equipamentos e utensilios. A metodologia empregada foi eficiente para avaliar a aplicacao das BPF e que a ponderacao dos blocos permitiu uma boa avaliacao do estabelecimento, dando-se maior importância (peso maior) aos blocos relacionados diretamente com a qualidade e seguranca do produto.

Sorologia para o vírus da língua azul em bovinos de corte, ovinos e veados campeiros no Pantanal sul-mato-grossense

ABSTRACT This investigation was carried out in beef cattle (n=219), sheep (n=55), and pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) (n=49) from Nhecolândia, sub region of Brazilian Pantanal in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. It was aimed to assess the seropositivity of these species to bluetongue virus (BTV) by agar gel immunodiffusion test. Seropositivity rates were 42.0% for cattle and 10.9% for sheep. The pampas deer showed to be all seronegative. In cattle, seropositivity to BTV significantly increased with age (P<0.001). These data, the favorable environmental conditions to development of BTV vectors, and the bovine reproductive disorders reported by farmers may indicate that BTV infection occurrs in herds of Brazilian Pantanal, and probably induces to economical losses. Keyword: beef cattle, sheep, pampas deer, bluetongue virus, serological survey AGRADECIMENTOS Aos proprietarios das fazendas onde foram coletas as amostras de soro de bovinos e de veados campeiros. A equipe da Embrapa Pantanal que contribuiu para a pesquisa de campo, em especial ao Ernande Ravaglia e Hidelberto V. Petzold, pela colaboracao na amostragem dos bovinos. Aos estudantes Andre R. Camilo, Marcelle A. Tomas e Fernando R. Tortato, pela colaboracao durante as capturas dos veados campeiros. A Embrapa/PRODETAB, ao Centro de Pesquisa do Pantanal - CPP/MCT e a Fundacao de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciencia e Tecnologia do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, pelo apoio financeiro. Ao CNPq, pela concessao de bolsa as pesquisadoras Zelia I. P. Lobato, Renata G. P. Tomich e Edel F. Barbosa-Stancioli.

Valor nutricional de híbridos de sorgo com capim-sudão em comparação ao de outros volumosos utilizados no período de baixa disponibilidade das pastagens

The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional value of sorghum-sudangrass hybrids to roughages collected in differed pastures, reserves of forage for using in cutting regime and conserved forage as hays or silages. The sorghum-sudangrass hybrids AG2501C and BRS800 showed similar bromatological composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Compared to other roughages, theses hybrids presented a higher protein level and intermediary values of cell wall contents. The coefficients of IVDMD observed for sorghum-sudangrass hybrids were not statistically different to the results of corn silage, elephantgrass and sugarcane managed in cutting regime. However, IVDMD of those hybrids was significantly higher than of coast-cross and tifton 85 hays, sorghum silage and differed pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and signal grass. The results indicated that sorghum-sudangrass hybrids may be used as roughage of high nutritional value during the drought.

Reproductive diseases serosurvey in dairy cattle from rural settlements of Corumbá city, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil

This investigation was carried out in dairy cattle from four rural settlements of Corumba, MS, Brazil, in order to assess the seroprevalence of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), bluetongue virus (BTV), and Leptospira; and the prevalence was 50.9% (179/352), 51.3% (181/353), and 35.8% (125/349), respectively. Association between frequency of seropositive animals and evaluated rural settlements (P<0.01) was found for Leptospira, and indicated the influence of environmental factors in bovine infection. Age was significantly related to BoHV-1 (P<0.001), BTV (P<0.001), and Leptospira infection (P<0.01), showing higher number of infection among older animals. Once the bovine herds were not vaccinated, the presence of seropositive animals indicated that these infections occurred in rural settlements herds of Corumba assayed, and certainly induced economical loss.