ABSTRACT In a breeding program, the estimation of genetic progress over the years provides a broad view of the program as well as grounds for optimal decision-making. In this respect, the present study proposes to estimate the genetic progress of 54 soybean cultivars released to the Brazilian Midwest between the years 2000 and 2017. Two experiments were conducted during the 2017/18 crop year. Grain yield (GY), maturity group (MG), 100-seed weight (100SW), number of pods per plant (NPP), number of seeds per pod (NSP) and plant height (PH) were evaluated. Genetic progress was estimated by the direct methodology and by linear regression. According to the direct method, the average annual genetic progress was positive for GY (1.92%), 100SW (2.69%), NPP (2.31%), NSP (1.10%) and PH (0.32%), but negative for MG (-0.44%). The results obtained using both methodologies agree on the obtained increases for GY and 100SW and the decreases for MG.

RESUMO Em um programa de melhoramento genético, a estimativa do progresso genético ao longo dos anos fornece uma visão ampla do programa, bem como bases para uma ótima tomada de decisão. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo se propõe a estimar o progresso genético de 54 cultivares de soja lançadas para o Centro-Oeste brasileiro entre os anos de 2000 e 2017. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos na safra 2017/18. Foram avaliados o rendimento de grãos (RG), grupo de maturidade (GM), peso de 100 sementes (P100), número de vagens por planta (NVP), número de sementes por vagem (NSP) e altura de planta (AP). O progresso genético foi estimado pela metodologia direta e por regressão linear. De acordo com o método direto, o progresso genético anual médio foi positivo para GR (1,92%), P100 (2,69%), NVP (2,31%), NSP (1,10%) e AP (0,32%), mas negativo para GM (- 0,44%). Os resultados obtidos por ambas as metodologias concordam com os aumentos obtidos para RG e P100 e decréscimos para GM.

Abstract In this study, we evaluated the physicochemical properties (PCP; radiopacity, flow, pH, and solubility) and the quality of root canal filling provided by an experimental industrialized paste (EP), with the same active ingredients as those of the Guedes Pinto paste, compared with the Vitapex® paste. PCP were analyzed according to the ANSI/ADA laboratory testing methods for endodontic filling and sealing materials. To analyze filling capacity, 120 artificial primary teeth (60 maxillary incisors [MIs] and 60 mandibulary molars [MMs]) were endodontically treated. The teeth were divided into eight groups based on the dental group (MIs or MMs), filling material (Vitapex® or EP), and insertion method (syringe or lentulo). The Image J® software was used to analyze the initial an final digital radiographies of each tooth, measuring and comparing root canal and void areas. The percentage of filling failure areas was obtained. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test of mean comparison. Regarding PCP, both pastes presented results according the ANSI/ADA standards. Flow capacity: Vitapex: 19.6 mm, EP: 25 mm (p < 0.01); radiopacity: Vitapex: 4.47 mmAl, EP: 6.06 mmAl (p < 0.01); pH after 28 days: Vitapex: 7.79, EP: 8.19 (p = 0.12); and solubility after 28 days: Vitapex: 2.68%, EP: 2.89% (p > 0.05). Regarding filling capacity analysis, EP demonstrated 12.5% of failure against 31.5% of Vitapex (p < 0.01). Compared to Vitapex, EP presented statistically significantly better results in flow, radiopacity, pH, and filling capacity. Molars presented more filling failures than incisors. The insertion method using a syringe and a thin tip was significantly better than that using Lentulo spiral carriers.

The development of controlled delivery system formulations has received increasing interest in the agriculture area. Tebuthiuron (TBH) is the most commonly used herbicide for weed control in sugar cane and cotton crops. The TBH and some of its metabolites are detected in surface water by leaching process, evidencing contamination and the need for an efficient process to decrease pesticide residues. The development of a controlled system release appears as a good solution. The present investigation aimed to study the development and evaluation of alginate microparticles as a delivery system for the TBH. The calcium alginate microparticles were prepared from the crosslinking of sodium alginate by Ca++ containing varied amounts of TBH supplied in CaCl2 aqueous solution. The particle size and morphological analysis of microparticles were determined by optical microscopy (OM) and by field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM). The encapsulation efficiency and release of TBH studies was accessed by UV-vis spectroscopy. The results show that the polymeric microparticles containing TBH can be obtained successfully through a simple method and is suitable as a controlled release carrier system for herbicides and can be effective for controlling weeds.