ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa) is among the most important crops worldwide; however, rice crops demand high water consumption. Future projections indicate reduced water availability and severe drought events, which may affect rice crops as the cereal is highly sensitive to drought stress. Thus, cultivars with lower water demand for irrigation or drought escape capacities are among the strategies to address this issue. This study aimed to assess five mutant rice genotypes in terms of growth cycle length, other agronomic interest traits, and drought response in the reproductive stage. The mutant genotypes evaluated showed a shortening of the growth cycle compared to the original cultivar, BRS Pampeira, representing a drought escape strategy. In addition, mutations did not negatively affect plant height and crop yield. However, similar to the original cultivar, mutants are not tolerant to water deficit in the reproductive stage. The genotypes evaluated have potential to be released as early cycle cultivars, which can reduce water demand during the harvest season while presenting a drought escape strategy. Oryza sativa worldwide however consumption events stress Thus issue length traits stage cultivar Pampeira strategy addition yield However

Abstract Effective strategies for disease control are crucial for sustaining world food production and ensuring food security for the population. Wheat blast, a disease caused by the pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum, has been a concern for cereal producers and researchers due to its aggressiveness and rapid expansion. To solve this problem, the development of resistant varieties with durable resistance is an effective, economical and sustainable way to control the disease. Conventional breeding can be aided by several molecular tools to facilitate the mining of many sources of resistance, such as R genes and QTLs. The identification of new sources of resistance, whether in the wheat crop or in other cereals are an opportunity for efficient wheat breeding through the application of different techniques. Since this disease is still poorly studied in wheat, knowledge of the rice Magnaporthe pathotype may be adapted to control wheat blast. Thus, genetic mapping, molecular markers, transgenic approaches, and genomic editing are valuable technologies to fight wheat blast. This review aimed to compile the biotechnological alternatives available to accelerate the development of improved cultivars for resistance to wheat blast. population blast Triticum expansion problem effective QTLs techniques Thus mapping markers approaches

Abstract The objective of this work was to map the chromosomal regions responsible for iron accumulation in rice grains, in Southern Brazil. Eighty-one rice accessions were genotyped and phenotyped for Fe accumulation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were mapped in the whole grain on chromosomes 1, 5, 6, and 10, from which 13 candidate genes were identified. Some of the genes, such as O s10g040680 0, seem to have a relationship with Fe homeostasis, while others are related to other metabolic processes or have an unknown function.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi mapear regiões cromossômicas responsáveis pelo acúmulo de ferro em grãos de arroz, na região Sul do Brasil. Oitenta e um acessos de arroz foram genotipados e fenotipados quanto ao acúmulo de Fe. Polimorfismos de nucleotídeos únicos foram mapeados no grão integral, nos cromossomos 1, 5, 6 e 10, dos quais 13 genes candidatos foram identificados. Alguns dos genes, como o Os10g0406800, parecem ter relação com a homeostase do Fe, enquanto outros têm relação com outros processos metabólicos ou função desconhecida.

ABSTRACT The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is a species of great importance in history and economic, with large phenotypic variability, represented through a wide range of cultivars spread throughout the world. There are several studies on the characterization of a large number of cultivars of the species. However, there is a need to uncover how these phenotypic traits are heritable, and how they can change when environmental conditions vary. For this reason, the objective here was to estimate the heritability coefficients for fruit characters in six commercial cultivars, analyzed under conditions in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study was carried out in a single year, based on the analysis of fruit and oil traits on the cultivars Arbequina, Arbosana, Frantoio, Koroneiki, Manzanilla de Sevilla, and Picual, under environmental conditions in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Phenotypic plasticity and broad-sense heritability were estimated in both inter and intra-cultivar comparisons. From the analyses of variance and heritability, it was observed that some cultivars such as Koroneiki or Picual had their characters mainly under genetic control, while Arbequina was more influenced by genotype-environment interaction. The information derived from this work can help guide the selection of cultivars that are best adapted under the local environments of the southern region of Brazil.

Abstract: Rice blast, caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae L., is considered one of the main threats to world rice production. The development of resistant cultivars is one of the best and sustainable control alternatives. Plant breeding efforts have been accelerated by genetic mapping (linkage and associative) and marker assisted selection. On the other hand, genomic editing techniques, such as meganucleases (MNs), Zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindrome Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9), can be used to promote specific genetic modifications. Likewise, transgenics can also be used to manipulate specific genes. In this sense, this work aims to characterize rice blast and elucidate available biotechnological alternatives to accelerate the development of improved rice cultivars resistant to rice blast.

Abstract There is a worldwide concern about a possible narrowing of the genetic base of most crops, as e.g. that of rice (Oryza sativa L.), as a result of the modern breeding practices. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate this phenomenon in the germplasm of elite paddy rice in southern Brazil, including frequently used accessions in crosses. The panel consisted of 91 accessions. Data of morphological traits, SNP markers and mineral content of husked and polished grain were analyzed by hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis. The SNP markers and hierarchical clustering proved most appropriate to assess the genetic variability. A narrowing of the genetic base of rice was confirmed, although a certain level of genetic variability was still found in the germplasm of elite paddy rice in south Brazilian rice, particularly for grain mineral content.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o uso de métodos biométricos uni e multivariados na avaliação da adaptabilidade e da estabilidade de um importante grupo de cultivares de aveia-branca (Avena sativa), cultivadas no Sul do Brasil. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 12 ambientes x 7 cultivares, com três repetições. A análise de variância e os métodos de Eberhart & Russel, de Annicchiarico e da média harmônica do desempenho relativo dos valores genéticos preditos (MHPRVG) foram avaliados. Na comparação geral dos métodos, os genótipos 'UPFA Gaudéria' e 'URS Guapa' foram os mais estáveis em relação à produtividade de grãos. Os genótipos 'UPFA Gaudéria' e 'URS-21' destacaram-se em peso do hectolitro, tendo apresentado as melhores respostas pelo método de Annicchiarico e da MHPRVG. Para a massa de mil grãos, todos os métodos apresentaram resultados semelhantes, o que indica que o genótipo 'UPFA Gaudéria' apresentou os melhores resultados. O genótipo 'URS Guapa' foi superior quando foram utilizados os métodos de Eberhart & Russel, de Annicchiarico e da MHPRVG. Os métodos uni e multivariados avaliados são adequados para estimar com confiança a adaptabilidade e a estabilidade das cultivares para cada objetivo de produção, rendimento e qualidade de grãos.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to compare uni- and multivariate biometric methods to evaluate the adaptability and stability of an important group of white oat (Avena sativa) cultivars grown in Southern Brazil. The used experimental design was a randomized complete block, in a factorial arrangement of 12 environments x 7 cultivars, with three replicates. The analysis of variance and the methods of Eberhart & Russel, Annicchiarico, and the harmonic mean of the relative performance of predicted genetic values (MHPRVG) were assessed. In the general comparison of the methods, the 'UPFA Gaudéria' and 'URS Guapa' genotypes were more stable regarding grain yield. The 'UPFA Gaudéria' and 'URS-21' genotypes stood out for hectoliter weight, presenting the best performances by the methods of Annicchiarico and the MHPRVG. For thousand-grain weight, all methods showed similar results, indicating that the 'UPFA Gaudéria' genotype presented the best results. The 'URS Guapa' genotype was superior when using the methods of Eberhart & Russel, Annicchiarico, and the MHPRVG. The uni- and multivariate methods evaluated are suitable to estimate with high confidence the adaptability and stability of cultivars for each targeted grain production, yield, and quality.

Abstract Purpose To compare, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the inflammatory cells, vascular density and IL-6 immunolabeled cells present in the pulp after pulpotomy with white MTA versus 15.5% ferric sulfate (FS). Methodology Forty-eight mandibular first molars from 24 Wistar rats were divided into MTA or FS groups and subdivided according to the period after pulpotomy procedure (24, 48 and 72 hours). Four teeth (sound and untreated) were used as controls. Histological sections were obtained and assessed through the descriptive analysis of morphological aspects of pulp tissue and the quantification of inflammatory cells, vascular density and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. Data were statistically analyzed (p<0.05). Results The number of inflammatory cells was similar in both groups, being predominantly localized at the cervical radicular third. In the MTA group, increased inflammation was observed at 48 hours. Vascular density was similar in both groups and over time, being predominant in the medium radicular third. No correlation was found between the number of inflammatory cells and the vascular density. Pulp tissue was more organized in MTA-treated teeth. In both groups, a weak to moderate IL-6 expression was detected in odontoblasts and inflammatory cells. Comparing both groups, there was a greater IL-6 expression in the cervical radicular third of teeth treated with MTA at 24 hours and in the medium and apical thirds at 72 hours, while in the FS group a greater IL-6 expression was found in the apical third at 24 hours. Conclusion The MTA group presented better histological features and greater IL-6 expression than the FS group. However, no difference was observed between the groups regarding the inflammatory status and vascularization, suggesting the usefulness of FS as a low-cost alternative to MTA.

Abstract Iron is a well-known metal. Used by humankind since ancient times in many different ways, this element is present in all living organisms, where, unfortunately, it represents a two-way problem. Being an essential block in the composition of different proteins and metabolic pathways, iron is a vital component for animals and plants. That is why iron deficiency has a severe impact on the lives of different organisms, including humans, becoming a major concern, especially in developing countries where access to adequate nutrition is still difficult. On the other hand, this metal is also capable of causing damage when present in excess, becoming toxic to cells and affecting the whole organism. Because of its importance, iron absorption, transport and storage mechanisms have been extensively investigated in order to design alternatives that may solve this problem. As the understanding of the strategies that plants use to control iron homeostasis is an important step in the generation of improved plants that meet both human agricultural and nutritional needs, here we discuss some of the most important points about this topic.

Abstract Problems in buildings can often be traced back to the requirements processing in the design phases. In building design, requirements processing is mainly discussed under the term briefing and is a critical and a problematic process. This study focus on the design stage and aims to summarize and analyze requirements’ processing concepts and practices by a systematic review. The main problems, guidelines, tools and methods were analyzed and compared to the requirements engineering and management approaches. The findings indicate lack of consensus about key concepts and about the coverage of requirements processing, lack of applied methods and lack of practitioners’ knowledge. From the gaps, we proposed a definition for the key concepts, and scheme of this whole requirements processing in building design and indicate recommendations for future research, which can guide important contributions, especially if supported by practical experiences.

ABSTRACT Drought stress affects crop quality and productivity. The challenge of increasing food availability for a growing worldwide demand relies on the development of tolerant cultivars that will need to be adapted to arid and semi-arid areas. In order to help the understanding of rice response to stress, the phenotypic response of 6 Brazilian rice cultivars and 2 different crosses between them were characterized under drought conditions. Since gene regulation is an important part of root morphological responses to stressful conditions, 4 genes related to auxin response and root modifications (OsGNOM1 CRL4, OsIAA1, OsCAND1 and OsRAA1) were evaluated. The expression of these genes was analyzed in stressed rice using public available microarray data and then through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), in the 6 phenotypically evaluated Brazilian genotypes under standard conditions (absence of stress). Our results show that all genotypes lengthened its roots in response to drought, specially the 2 hybrids. The expression of these genes is modified in response to stress, and OsRAA1 has a very special behavior, constituting a target for future studies. Further steps include the study of polymorphisms in these genotypes in order to understand if differences in these genes or in regulatory regions can be associated with differences in root system architecture and/or stress tolerance.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os efeitos de diferentes tecnologias de armazenamento na qualidade físico-química de kiwis da cultivar Tewi. Após a colheita, parte dos frutos foi submetida ao tratamento com 1-metilciclopropeno (1-MCP) e, posteriormente, frutos tratados e não tratados foram submetidos a diferentes condições de armazenamento, conforme segue: armazenamento em temperatura ambiente (20 °C ± 0,5 °C) durante 12 dias; armazenamento refrigerado (0°C ± 0,5°C) com ou sem controle da atmosfera (3 KPa O2 e 5 KPa CO2), e com ou sem absorção de etileno durante dois e quatro meses. Foram avaliadas a firmeza de polpa, o teor de sólidos solúveis e a acidez titulável. Verificou-se que, independentemente da tecnologia de conservação, houve uma diminuição na firmeza de polpa já aos dois meses de armazenamento, sendo a condição atmosfera controlada associada ao uso do 1-MCP a mais eficaz na retenção desse atributo. Frutos mantidos em temperatura ambiente apresentaram relação direta entre a redução da firmeza de polpa e o aumento do índice de sólidos solúveis; no entanto, após o armazenamento, essa relação nem sempre ocorreu. A maior acidez titulável foi verificada em frutos que receberam 1-MCP. Kiwis ‘Tewi’ apresentam bom potencial de conservação, podendo permanecer armazenados por até quatro meses em atmosfera controlada associada ao controle do etileno pelo uso de 1-MCP ou por absorção do etileno.

Summary The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different storage technologies on the physical and chemical qualities of ‘Tewi’ kiwifruits. After harvesting, part of the fruits was treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), and then both the treated and non-treated fruits were stored under different conditions, as follows: storage at room temperature (20 °C ± 0.5 °C) for twelve days; refrigerated storage (0°C ± 0.5°C), with or without a controlled atmosphere (3% O2 and 5% CO2); and storage with or without ethylene adsorption for two and four months. The firmness of the flesh, soluble solids content and titratable acidity were evaluated during storage. It was noted that regardless of storage technology there was a reduction in firmness after two months. The controlled atmosphere conditions with 1-MCP were the most effective in retaining firmness. Fruits kept at room temperature showed a direct relationship between the reduction in flesh firmness and the increase in soluble solids content, although this relationship was not always observed after storage. The highest titratable acidity was observed in the fruits treated with 1-MCP. ‘Tewi’ kiwis showed good conservation potential, and could be stored for up to four months in a controlled atmosphere with ethylene management using 1-MCP or ethylene absorption.

Stresses can cause large yield reductions in cultivated plants. The response to these stresses occurs via a plethora of signalling pathways, where a large number of genes is induced or repressed. Among the environmental stress responsive genes, there are the members of the ethylene response factors (ERF) gene family. The mRNA levels of different ERF are regulated by many hormones and molecules produced under different stress conditions. In this study, with the goal of identifying the response of rice ERF genes to environmental stress, it was analysed the transcriptional expression profile of 114 of these genes under stress by anoxia, salt and Magnaporthe grisea. Also, aiming to characterize how the regulation of ERF genes occurs, the amount of known cis regulatory elements in the promoter region of these genes and their association with the expression profiles under the tested conditions were also assessed. The results indicate that some ERF members present the same specific expression profiles under different environmental stresses, while others do not. Within the ERF family, the regulation of gene expression is complex for some genes which have many cis elements in their promoters, but simple for others, demonstrating high levels of divergence among them. The findings demonstrate the importance of the study of each ERF separately, since it is not possible to establish general rules for regulation and probably for the function of these genes.

Este artigo apresenta diretrizes para realizar a gestão de requisitos durante o processo de projeto de ambientes construídos (PPAC). Uma versão preliminar das diretrizes foi desenvolvida a partir de uma revisão da literatura e um estudo exploratório. Tal versão foi parcialmente aplicada e refinada em um estudo de caso, no qual foram enfatizados os requisitos ambientais de um projeto urbanístico. A aplicação no estudo de caso exigiu o uso de múltiplas fontes de dados, tais como aproximadamente 12 horas de entrevistas, consulta a documentos (por exemplo, do licenciamento ambiental) e observações de reuniões relacionadas ao PPAC. As diretrizes propostas têm uma visão holística da GR, contemplando todas as suas etapas ao longo do processo de projeto, e houve a disponibilização de mecanismos que permitem controlar inevitáveis mudanças nos requisitos. Os dados coletados também possibilitaram avaliar as diretrizes em termos de sua utilidade e facilidade de uso. Dentre os resultados do estudo de caso, ficou evidenciada contribuição das diretrizes na coleta, organização e visibilidade dos requisitos ambientais, o que beneficia a tomada de decisão.

This article introduces guidelines for managing requirements during the building of the environment design process. A preliminary version of these guidelines was developed based on a literature review and an exploratory study. Such version was partially applied and enhanced in a case study of an urban project, where the environmental requirements were emphasized. Multiple sources of data were adopted in the case study, such as 12 hours of interviews, analysis of documents (e.g., environmental licenses) and observation of meetings related to the design process. The proposed guidelines have a holistic view of requirements management and involve all its phases along the design process. In addition, techniques that allow the control of change were indicated. The data available were also useful for assessing the guidelines from the perspective of their usability and effectiveness. Among the insights obtained from the case study, the contribution of the guidelines was evident in the elicitation, organization and visibility of environmental requirements, which benefits the decision-making.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as relações genéticas de 21 cultivares de marmeleiro com base no marcador "amplified fragment length polymorphism" (AFLP), para melhoramento e conservação de recursos genéticos da espécie na região sul do Rio Grande do Sul. O DNA das cultivares foi extraído pelo método CTAB, e as reações de AFLP foram realizadas com os iniciadores EcoRI/MseI. Foram identificados dois grupos entre as 21 cultivares de marmeleiro, um com quatro e outro com sete cultivares geneticamente mais relacionadas. As cultivares de marmeleiro apresentam alta variabilidade genética, com máximo de 43% de similaridade.

The objective of this work was to determine the genetic relationships of 21 quince cultivars based on the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker, for breeding and conservation of genetic resources of the specie in the south of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The DNA from the cultivars was extracted using the CTAB method, and the AFLP reactions were performed with the primers EcoRI/MseI. Two groups were identified among the 21 quince cultivars, one with four and the other with seven cultivars more genetically related. The quince cultivars show high genetic variability, with maximum of 43% similarity.