Abstract The development of living beings depends on the health and chemical quality of the available water. In recent years, the importance of the environment in the spread of resistant and multi-resistant bacteria to antibiotics has been observed, a situation that has placed the problem of antibiotic resistance on a broader level and which is being studied from the perspective “One Health”. The objective of this work was to determine the presence of multi-resistant bacteria to antibiotics in irrigation water samples from the Chibunga river. Fourteen water samples of 100 mL each were collected in sterile containers and aseptically, were kept under refrigeration until analysis in the laboratory. Each sample was seeded by the surface seeding method on blood, cystine electrolyte deficient, MacConkey, Salmonella-Shigella and thiosulfate citrate bile sucrose agars, incubating in all cases at a temperature of 37 °C for a maximum time of 48 hours. The identification of bacterial colonies was carried out through physiological and biochemical tests according to the identification schemes indicated by MacFaddin. The resistance/sensitivity to antibiotics of the identified colonies was carried out by the disk diffusion method of Kirby Bauer. Two species of multi-resistant bacteria were identified, including strains of Morganella morgani and Plesiomonas shigelloides resistant to antibiotics of clinical use such as ceftazidime, aztreonam, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The results show that the waters of Chibunga river harbor bacteria with multi-resistance to antimicrobials, representing a contamination risk of agricultural products harvested in its vicinity, as well as for the people who use these waters.

Resumen El bienestar y desarrollo de los seres vivos depende de la calidad sanitaria y química del agua disponible. En los últimos años se ha venido observando la importancia del ambiente en la diseminación de bacterias resistentes y multirresistentes a los antibióticos, situación que ha colocado la problemática de la resistencia en un plano más amplio y que se está estudiando desde la perspectiva “One Health”. En este sentido, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar la presencia de bacterias multirresistentes a los antibióticos en muestras de agua de riego provenientes del río Chibunga. Se recolectaron 14 muestras de agua de un volumen de 100 mL cada una, en envases estériles y de manera aséptica, las cuales fueron conservadas bajo refrigeración hasta su análisis en el laboratorio. Cada muestra fue sembrada por el método de siembra en superficie en los agares cistina electrolito deficiente, MacConkey, Salmonella-Shigella, tiosulfato citrato bilis sacarosa y agar sangre, incubándose en todos los casos a una temperatura de 37 °C durante un tiempo máximo de 48 horas. La identificación de las colonias bacterianas se realizó mediante pruebas fisiológicas y bioquímicas de acuerdo con los esquemas de identificación indicados por MacFaddin. El perfil de susceptibilidad a los antibióticos de las colonias identificadas se realizó por el método de difusión en disco de Kirby Bauer. Se lograron identificar 2 especies de bacterias multirresistentes, entre ellas, cepas de Morganella morganii y Plesiomonas shigelloides resistentes a antibióticos de uso clínico como ceftazidima, aztreonam, ciprofloxacino, ácido nalidíxico y trimetroprim-sulfametoxazol. Los resultados muestran que las aguas del río Chibunga albergan bacterias con multirresistencia a los antimicrobianos, representando un riesgo de contaminación de los productos agrícolas cosechados en sus inmediaciones, así como para las personas que utilizan estas aguas.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to carry out a survey of the different studies that have been carried out in Cuba in terms of ecosystem services valuation. It is a path little traveled and on rise that requires the detection of its strengths and gaps as a guide to the execution of said investigations with de human capital that the country possesses. A total of 42 papers were compiled, including 14 scientific articles, 8 diploma theses, 15 doctoral theses and 5 master´s theses. The ecosystem services most evaluated were those of fibre and food supply, the regulation of climate, water, natural hazard and air quality and within cultural services, aesthetic values and recreation and ecotourism.

RESUMEN El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo realizar un levantamiento de los diferentes estudios que en materia de valoración de servicios ecosistémicos se han efectuado en Cuba. Es un camino poco transitado y en ascenso que requiere de la detección de sus fortalezas y sus principales vacíos como guía a la ejecución de tales investigaciones, con el capital humano que el país posee. Se compilaron un total de 42, de ellos 14 son artículos científicos, 8 tesis de diploma, 15 tesis de doctorado y 5 de maestría. Los servicios ecosistémicos más evaluados en los documentos fueron: los servicios de aprovisionamiento de fibra y alimentos, la regulación del clima, del agua, del peligro natural y de la calidad del aire, y dentro de los servicios culturales los valores estéticos y recreación y ecoturismo.

ABSTRACT The paper analyzes the quality of the water supplied by the potable water treatment plant Altos of Quintero to the city of Santiago de Cuba through the study of five consumers. The quality of the parameters analyzed was determined for pH, color, turbidity, residual free chlorine and determination of total and fecal coliforms, resulting in La Colonia, La Cervecería Hatuey and the Combined Milk, which residual free chlorine and turbidity are outside the norm in some occasions. The effects of the quality of drinking water coming from the potabilizer were mainly the deterioration of the infrastructure of the supply networks and poor storage conditions of the liquid in the above mentioned institutions. Options are presented to ensure that water quality is maintained in the different consumption centers and a predictable model is proposed that allows the maximum time that guarantees the minimum level of allowable residual chlorine that a consumer source should have.

RESUMEN El trabajo analiza la calidad del agua que suministra la potabilizadora Altos de Quintero a la ciudad de Santiago de Cuba mediante el estudio de cinco consumidores. Al agua de los seis centros analizados se les determinó su calidad por la medición de los parámetros: pH, color, turbidez, cloro libre residual y determinación de coliformes totales y fecales, resultando La Colonia, La Cervecería Hatuey y el Combinado Lácteo las entidades en las cuales el cloro libre residual y la turbidez se encuentran fuera de norma en algunas ocasiones. Las afectaciones de la calidad del agua potable procedente de la potabilizadora se deben fundamentalmente al deterioro de la infraestructura de las redes de abastecimiento y a las malas condiciones de almacenamiento del líquido en las instituciones antes mencionadas. Se presentan opciones para garantizar que se mantenga la calidad del agua en los diferentes centros de consumo y se propone un modelo predictivo que posibilita determinar el tiempo máximo que garantiza el mínimo nivel de cloro residual libre permisible que debe disponer una fuente consumidora.

ABSTRACT The need for studies that allow the use of brackish water in irrigated agriculture and the socioeconomic importance of melon cultivation in Brazil, especially for the Northeast region, which concentrates most of the national production and faces problems with the availability of good quality water for irrigation, motivated the present study. In this context, the objective of present study was to evaluate the growth, production and fruit quality of the ‘Goldex’ (yellow-type hybrid F1) melon under salt stress conditions. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design, with two salinity levels of irrigation water (0.8 and 4.0 dS m-1) and eight evaluation times (52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66 days after transplanting). Variables of plant growth and development, production and quality of melon fruits were evaluated throughout the cycle. Plants had delayed growth characteristics and less development with the increase in irrigation water salinity, showing reductions of more than 20% in shoot dry weight, leaf area, number of branches and length of secondary branches and 16.7% in length of the main branch. In addition, salinity caused a delay in fruit development and a 16% reduction in final fruit weight, without significantly modifying carbohydrate and total soluble solids contents. Along the development, there was an increase in the total soluble solids content of the fruits, especially due to the increment of sucrose at the final stages of development.

RESUMO A necessidade de estudos que possibilitem a utilização de águas salobras na agricultura irrigada e a importância socioeconômica da cultura do melão no Brasil, especialmente para a região Nordeste, que concentra a maior parte da produção nacional e apresenta problemáticas com disponibilidade de água de boa qualidade para irrigação, norteou o presente estudo. Nesse contexto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o crescimento das plantas, a produção e a qualidade de frutos do híbrido de melão amarelo ‘Goldex’ (híbrido F1 tipo amarelo) sob condições de estresse salino. A pesquisa foi conduzida em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, contendo dois níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação (0,8 e 4,0 dS m-1) e oito épocas de avaliação (52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64 e 66 dias após o transplantio). Foram avaliadas variáveis de crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas, de produção e de qualidade dos frutos de melão ao longo do ciclo. As plantas tiveram as características de crescimento retardadas e menor desenvolvimento em função do aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação, apresentando redução superior a 20% para a o peso seco da parte aérea, área foliar, número de ramos, comprimento de ramos secundários e 16,7% para o comprimento do ramo principal. Além disso, a salinidade provocou atraso no desenvolvimento dos frutos e redução de 16% no seu peso final, sem modificar significativamente os teores de carboidratos e sólidos solúveis totais. Ao longo do desenvolvimento houve aumento no teor de sólidos solúveis totais dos frutos, especialmente em função do acréscimo de sacarose nos estádios finais de desenvolvimento.

ABSTRACT The consumption of fresh fruits has increased nowadays due to the lifestyle of the consumers. Maintaining the quality and nutritional value of cut fruits during storage is difficult compared to whole fruits. Deterioration of internal and external quality usually occurs in freshly harvested fruits. It is necessary to use different techniques to maintain the quality and increase the shelf life of the freshly cut product. This research studied the effect of treating apple slices with cold plasma once and with filtered water again on quality characteristics (hardness, moisture content, sugar content, carbohydrate content, and color) after being stored for five days. The best treatment was determined using two different pressures of the plasma jet (1 and 5 atm) and two different immersion times (3 and 6 minutes). It was verified the superiority of cold plasma treatment at 5 atm and 3 minutes immersion time in all studied traits, while treatment with filtered water and 6 minutes immersion time was superior concerning the moisture content of apple slices. There is an inverse relationship between L* and a direct relationship between the a* and b* values with the storage time. Therefore, the use of cold plasma treatment is promising in storing cut fruits, extending their shelf life, and improving their quality and safety, which provides fresh fruits.

RESUMO O consumo de frutas frescas tem aumentado atualmente devido ao estilo de vida dos consumidores. Manter a qualidade e o valor nutricional dos frutos cortados durante o armazenamento é difícil em comparação com os frutos inteiros. A deterioração da qualidade interna e externa geralmente ocorre em frutas recém-colhidas. Para manter a qualidade e aumentar a vida útil do produto recém-cortado, é necessário utilizar diferentes técnicas. Nesta pesquisa, foi estudado o efeito do tratamento de fatias de maçã com plasma frio uma vez e com água filtrada novamente nas características de qualidade (como dureza, teor de umidade, teor de umidade, teor de carboidratos e cor) após armazenamento por 5 dias. O melhor tratamento foi determinado utilizando duas pressões diferentes do jato de plasma (1 e 5 atm) e dois tempos de imersão diferentes (3 e 6 min). Verificou-se superioridade do tratamento com plasma frio a 5 atm e tempo de imersão de 3 min em todas as características estudadas, enquanto o tratamento com água filtrada no tempo de imersão de 6 min foi superior no teor de umidade das fatias de maçã. Existe uma relação inversa entre o valor da cor L* e uma relação direta entre o valor de a* e b* com o tempo de armazenamento. Portanto, o uso do tratamento com plasma frio é promissor no armazenamento de frutas cortadas, prolongando sua vida útil e melhorando sua qualidade e segurança, o que proporciona frutas frescas.

RESUMEN En la agricultura actual es necesario controlar la inocuidad de los alimentos que se producen, para ello es vital tener en cuenta los niveles de contaminación que provocan los metales pesados. Un aspecto a considerar es el estudio de calidad del suelo para conservar o mejorar su productividad, de forma que se garantice la protección ambiental, la salud humana y la seguridad alimentaria. Elementos traza en concentraciones elevadas en suelos son tóxicos alimentarios con efectos negativos sobre la salud que se manifiestan a largo plazo como resultado del consumo de aguas y alimentos contaminados. El presente trabajo plantea como objetivo: estudiar modelos matemáticos para predecir el comportamiento de las concentraciones de cobalto, plomo y zinc en un suelo agrícola, aledaño al vertimiento de residuos industriales en el municipio San José de las Lajas. Para ello se tomaron los datos de concentración de metales pesados cobalto (Co), plomo (Pb) y zinc (Zn) desde el año 2005 al año 2018 para predecir su comportamiento a partir del uso de herramientas estadístico-matemáticas hasta el año 2034. Se obtuvo que, según los modelos matemáticos obtenidos, estos suelos no deban emplearse para cultivar hortalizas con objeto de consumo, al menos hasta 10 años después de esta investigación.

ABSTRACT In current agriculture it is necessary to control the safety of the food that is produced, for this it is vital to take into account the levels of contamination caused by heavy metals. One aspect to consider is the study of soil quality to preserve or improve its productivity, in order to guarantee environmental protection, human health and food safety. Trace elements in high concentrations in soils are food toxins with negative effects on health that manifest themselves in the long term as a result of the consumption of contaminated food and water. The objective of this work is: to study mathematical models to predict the behavior of cobalt, lead and zinc concentrations in agricultural soil, adjacent to the dumping of industrial waste in the San José de las Lajas municipality. For this, the concentration data of heavy metals cobalt (Co), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were taken from the year 2005 to the year 2018 to predict their behavior from the use of statistical-mathematical tools until the year 2034. It was obtained that, according to the mathematical models obtained, these soils should not be used to grow vegetables for consumption, at least until 10 years after this investigation.

River water quality modelling relies on a good dataset for model input, calibration and validation to develop a reliable model. Determination of data requirements, and data sourcing towards this purpose in South Africa, are not elementary. Data availability is key throughout the modelling processes, making the sourcing of good data equally imperative. This paper provides starting considerations, and compiles a list of available data sources applicable to river water quality modelling in South Africa. It also provides a background on the included data sources and a general overview of the extent of the databases.

ABSTRACT Soil ameliorants play a crucial role in enhancing soil fertility and rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in acid-sulfate soils. This research aims to study the impact of Si-humic ameliorants on soil chemical properties, plant growth, Fe levels, and rice production in acid-sulfate soil. The experiments were conducted at the Laboratory and Greenhouse of the Indonesia Swampland Agricultural Research Institute. The greenhouse experiment adopted a factorial RCBD with Factor 1 representing the ameliorant formula type: 100% lime (F0), 30% commercial humate+30% rice husk ash+40% lime (F1), 30% water hyacinth humate+0% rice husk ash+40% lime (F2), 30% water hyacinth humate+30% rice husk biochar+40% lime (F3), 30% commercial humate+30% rice husk biochar+40% lime (F4), and control without ameliorant. Factor 2 represents dosage of soil ameliorant: 0, 1, 2, and 4 t ha-1. Observations included soil properties such as pH, exchangeable Fe, available P, plant growth, Fe toxicity, yield, and yield components. Silicon-humic soil ameliorant demonstrated the ability to enhance soil pH from 3.16 to 3.63, available P from 6.12 to 30.16 mg kg-1, and decrease Fe 690 to 371 mg kg-1. Specifically, the F3 Si-humate formulation alleviated Fe toxicity, enhanced P availability, promoted rice growth, and improved yield. The application of 4 t ha-1 Si-humate F3 had the best effect in increasing grain yield by 4.22 g pot-1 compared to the control. The application of Si-humate F3 not only improved soil quality and increased rice yields but also reduced the need for lime, contributing to the potential maintenance of soil health.

The lightly micro-polluted raw water of Yangtze River (YRW) in autumn was treated via enhanced coagulation by composite coagulants composed of polyaluminium chloride (PAC) and polydimethyldiallylammonium chloride (PDMDAAC), named PAC/PDMDAAC. Coagulation mechanism and removal efficiency were investigated by assessing the water quality parameters of the resulting supernatant, i.e. turbidity, COD Mn, and NH3-N, at the same dosage and supernatant turbidity (SDST) point as using PAC only, with controlled residual turbidity of 1.0-1.50 NTU to mimic drinking water production plant supernatant condition when using lightly micro-polluted water as raw water source . In addition, the zeta potential, floc morphology, and size analysis under the condition of SDST using PAC and composite coagulants PAC/PDMDAAC for getting insight about removal mechanism were done. The results showed that, firstly, most of the composite coagulants PAC/PDMDAAC with intrinsic viscosity [η] = 0.65, 1.60, and 2.6 dL/g; and mass ratio PAC:PDMDAAC of 5:1, 10:1, and 20:1 (mm)) could meet the requirements of controlled supernatant turbidity between 1.0 and 1.5 NTU to mimic drinking water production plant condition using YRW (Nanjing section) that comply with the new national drinking water standards. Secondly, the seven kinds of composite coagulants PAC/PDMDAAC can maintained the advantage of enhanced coagulation removal efficiency within the SDST point as using PAC only. The COD Mn and ammonia nitrogen removal rates using composite coagulants at SDST points were 0-6.19 %; 0-15.62%, respectively higher than using PAC only. Finally, this study deepened and expanded the existing research knowledge about composite coagulant PAC/PDMDAAC and offered the maximum limitations in removing the water quality parameters via enhanced coagulation treatment of lightly micro-polluted surface raw water in order to meet new national drinking water standards.

Rainfall has been shown to be the main cause of elevated nutrient pollution in groundwater beneath landfills. However, groundwater monitoring is often based on predetermined schedules without considering rainfall patterns. This study examined how rainfall patterns affect fluctuations in groundwater quality at the Coastal Park landfill in Cape Town, South Africa, and the relevance of current groundwater sampling schedules. Boreholes upstream and downstream of two large waste cells, one lined and the other unlined, were monitored for 15 weeks during the onset of the rainy season to detect changes in the groundwater level, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, and phosphate. Rainfall patterns strongly affected the groundwater parameters, with widely varying fluctuation patterns and lag times. Conductivity peaked downstream of the lined cell 10 weeks later than at the unlined cell, with widely different fluctuation patterns (R² = 0.36). Ammonia peaked downstream of both the unlined and lined cells well before the early rains, with very similar fluctuation patterns (R² = 0.97), although it peaked 6 times higher in the unlined cell. Nitrate peaked at Weeks 2 to 4 downstream of the unlined and the lined cell, with a weak correlation (R² = 0.56). A shorter nitrate peak and a net decrease throughout the rainy season were observed downstream of the lined cell. Phosphate showed a brief, multi-fold increase at Week 3 downstream of both the unlined and lined cells, displaying pH-induced mobilisation and a very strong correlation (R² = 0.99) between these locations. Lag times and fluctuation patterns varied depending on the presence of liners, and rainfall patterns. Therefore, the low frequency sampling required by many South African landfill waste management permits and licences cannot identify pollutant peak concentrations or describe their trends, and high frequency sampling should be considered.

Abstract Soil moisture content can be used to predict drought impact on agricultural yield better than precipitation. Remote sensing is viable source of soil moisture data in instrument-scarce areas. However, space-based soil moisture estimates lack suitability for daily and high-resolution agricultural, hydrological, and environmental applications. This study aimed to assess the potential of the random forest machine learning technique to enhance the spatial resolution of remote soil moisture products from the SMAP satellite. Models were built using random forest for spatial downscaling of SMAP-L3-E, then visually and statistically evaluated for disaggregation quality. The impact of topography, soil properties, and precipitation on the downscaled soil moisture was examined. The relationship between downscaled soil moisture and in-situ soil moisture was analyzed. The results indicate that the proposed method demonstrated spatial and hydrological coherence, along with a satisfactory downscaling quality. Statistical validation indicated suitable generalization error for scientific and practical use (RMSE < 0.05 cm3 cm-3). Random forest effectively achieved spatial downscaling of SMAP-L3-E in the study area. Principal component and spatial analysis revealed dependence of downscaled soil moisture on elevation, soil organic carbon content, clay content, and saturated hydraulic conductivity, mainly under near-saturation conditions. Regarding validation against in-situ data, downscaled soil moisture explained in-situ soil moisture well under low soil water content (ρ = 0.624). Downscaling performance deteriorates for water contents between 0.40 to 0.50 cm3 cm-3, suggesting inadequacy under near saturation conditions at a daily temporal frequency. However, coarser temporal aggregations (7 to 10 days) yielded an average 0.98 correlation coefficient, regardless of saturation conditions. These results could potentially be applied in irrigation planning, soil physics studies and hydrology monitoring, to forecasting the occurrence of droughts, leaching of contaminants, surface runoff modeling, carbon cycle studies, soil's capacity to store and provide nutrients. Our results could mainly be applied to understanding the impact of droughts on crop yield.

Resumo O Seybouse é um rio no nordeste da Argélia, é o segundo maior rio, tem uma área de captação de cerca de 6.500 km2 que acolhe cerca de 1,5 milhões de habitantes. Importantes atividades agrícolas e industriais são desenvolvidas nesta bacia hidrográfica. O uso de macroinvertebrados bentônicos como indicadores biológicos tem uma longa tradição em países desenvolvidos e está integrado em todas as avaliações da qualidade ecológica dos sistemas fluviais. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar o inventário e o papel ecológico dos macroinvertebrados bentônicos nas águas interiores do rio Seybouse e determinar o impacto da poluição em suas distribuições. Resultados semelhantes foram relatados para outros países e rios argelinos. Este estudo enfoca a macrofauna bentônica de Wadi Seybouse e seus afluentes. Foram prospectados 03 locais, um no alto Seybousse Bouhamdane em Medjez Amar e dois no meio Seybousse Salah Salah Salah e Oued Zimba. Entre dezembro de 2019 e maio de 2020, dez parâmetros físico-químicos (pH, CE, DO, velocidade da água, NO3, Salinidade, NO2, MES, turbidez, deth) foram medidos para estabelecer um diagnóstico do estado de saúde desses ecossistemas aquáticos. A abordagem biológica complementar pela análise de populações de macroinvertebrados identificou 7.482 indivíduos e 40 táxons divididos em cinco classes: Crustáceos que são os mais dominantes, Insetos com as ordens principais (Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, Heteroptera e Odonata), Moluscos, Nematóides e Anelídeos. As análises físico-químicas e a aplicação dos índices de poluição orgânica, indicaram uma poluição forte a excessiva para todos os locais especialmente Salah Salah Salah.

Abstract The Seybouse is the second largest river basin in Algeria, hosting an important biodiversity and providing various ecosystem services. This watershed is highly influenced by agricultural and industrial activities, which threaten its biodiversity and ecosystem integrity. The use of benthic macroinvertebrates as biological indicators has a long tradition in developed countries and integrated into all assessments of the ecological quality of river systems. However, the macroinvertebrates of many North African regions are still not well studied, including those of the Seybouse river. The aim of this study is to assess the inventory and ecological role of benthic macroinvertebrates in inland waters of the Seybouse River and determine the impact of pollution on their spatial distributions. We sampled the benthic macrofauna of Wadi Seybouse and its affluents using regular surveys in three sites, of which one was in the upper Seybouse Bouhamdane in Medjez Amar and two in the middle Seybouse. Between December 2019 and May 2020, 10 physico-chemical parameters (pH, EC, OD, water speed, NO3, Salinity, NO2, MES, turbidity, depth) were measured in order to establish a health state diagnosis of these aquatic ecosystems. The complementary biological approach by the analysis of populations of macroinvertebrates identified 7482 individuals and 40 taxa divided into five classes: Crustaceans which were the most dominant, insects with the main orders (Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Trichoptera, Heteroptera and Odonata), Molluscs, Nematodes and Annelids. The physico-chemical analyzes and the application of the organic pollution indices indicated a strong to excessive pollution for all sites, especially in Seybouse upstream

Resumo O tempo de transplante e o genótipo contribuem para melhorar a produtividade e a qualidade da cultura da berinjela (Solanum melongena L.). Um experimento de campo foi conduzido para investigar o impacto da aplicação foliar de triacontanol (TRIA) e genótipos de berinjela 25919, Nirala, 28389 e Pak-10927, transplantados em 1 de março, 15 de março e 1 de abril de exposição a condições de alta temperatura do ar. O experimento foi realizado de acordo com o Randomized Complete Block Design e os dados foram analisados pelo teste de Tuckey. O TRIA foi aplicado a 10 µM na fase de floração; água destilada foi utilizada como controle. Taxa de fotossíntese e transpiração, condutância estomática, eficiência do uso da água e efeitos sobre as enzimas antioxidantes (superóxido dismutase, catalase e peroxidase) foram avaliados. O TRIA 10 µM aumentou a taxa de fotossíntese e a eficiência do uso da água e o rendimento foi melhorado em todos os genótipos transplantados nas diferentes datas. A aplicação foliar de TRIA 10µM aumentou as atividades das enzimas antioxidantes (SOD, POD e CAT) e melhorou os atributos fisiológicos e bioquímicos de genótipos de berinjela expostos a condições de alto calor. A atividade mais elevada da enzima dismutase 5,41mg / 1g FW foi registrada no genótipo Nirala no segundo transplante. Considerando que o mais baixo foi observado em PAK-10927 (2,30 mg / g FW). A produtividade máxima de frutos foi encontrada no acesso 25919 (1,725 kg por planta) no 1º transplante com Triacontanol, enquanto o acesso PAK-10927 deu a menor produção (0,285 kg por planta) no tratamento de controle no 3º transplante. Genótipo, data de transplante e aplicação de TRIA, melhoramento do crescimento, rendimento e atributos de qualidade sob estresse térmico em berinjela.

Abstract Transplanting time and genotype contribute to improving crop yield and quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of foliar applied of triacontanol (TRIA) and eggplant genotypes 25919, Nirala, 28389 and Pak-10927,transplanted on 1 March,15 March, and 1 April on exposure to high air temperature conditions. The experiment was performed according to Randomized Complete Block Design and the data was analyzed by using Tuckey,s test . The TRIA was applied at 10µM at flowering stage; distilled water was used as the control. Rate of photosynthesis and transpiration, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and effects on antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase) were evaluated. The 10µM TRIA increased photosynthesis rate and water use efficiency and yield was improved in all genotypes transplanted at the different dates. Foliar application of 10µM TRIA increased antioxidative enzyme activities (SOD, POD & CAT) and improved physiological as well as biochemical attributes of eggplant genotypes exposed to high heat conditions. Highest activity of dismutase enzyme 5.41mg/1g FW was recorded in Nirala genotype in second transplantation. Whereas, lowest was noted in PAK-10927 (2.30mg/g FW). Maximum fruit yield was found in accession 25919 (1.725kg per plant) at 1st transplantation with Triacontanol, whereas accession PAK-10927 gave the lowest yield (0.285 kg per plant) at control treatment on 3rd transplantation. Genotype, transplanting date and application of TRIA improved growth, yield and quality attributes under of heat stress in eggplant.

Resumo O presente estudo envolve a análise química e bacteriológica de água de diferentes fontes, ou seja, furo, poços, garrafa e torneira, dos distritos de Peshawar, Mardan, Swat e Kohat da província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Paquistão. De cada distrito, 50 amostras de água (10 amostras de cada fonte), independentemente do status urbano e rural, foram coletadas dessas fontes e analisadas para sulfatos, nitratos, nitritos, cloretos, sólidos solúveis totais e coliformes (E. coli). Os resultados indicaram que a maioria das fontes de água tinha uma contagem inaceitável de E. coli, ou seja, > 34 UFC / 100 mL. As amostras positivas para E. coli foram elevadas no distrito de Mardan, seguido por Kohat, Swat e distrito de Peshawar. Além disso, algumas fontes de água também foram contaminadas quimicamente por diferentes fertilizantes inorgânicos (nitratos/nitritos de sódio, potássio), mas em níveis seguros, enquanto os resíduos agrícolas e industriais (compostos de cloreto e sulfato) estavam em níveis inseguros. Entre todos os distritos, a qualidade da água foi considerada comparativamente mais deteriorada nos distritos de Kohat e Mardan do que nos distritos de Peshawar e Swat. Essas fontes de água química e bacteriologicamente impróprias para beber podem causar problemas à saúde humana.

Abstract The present study involves the chemical and bacteriological analysis of water from different sources i.e., bore, wells, bottle, and tap, from Peshawar, Mardan, Swat and Kohat districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. From each district, 50 water samples (10 samples from each source), regardless of urban and rural status, were collected from these sources and analysed for sulphates, nitrates, nitrites, chlorides, total soluble solids and coliforms (E. coli). Results indicated that majority of the water sources had unacceptable E. coli count i.e.> 34 CFU/100mL. E. coli positive samples were high in Mardan District, followed by Kohat, Swat and Peshawar district. Besides this, the some water sources were also chemically contaminated by different inorganic fertilizers (nitrates/nitrites of sodium, potassium) but under safe levels whereas agricultural and industrial wastes (chloride and sulphate compounds) were in unsafe range. Among all districts, the water quality was found comparatively more deteriorated in Kohat and Mardan districts than Peshawar and Swat districts. Such chemically and bacteriologically unfit water sources for drinking and can cause human health problems.

Resumo Aglutinantes são produtos usados para unir, colar ou manter juntos os vários ingredientes da ração, a fim de conservar a integridade do pellet. Para os aquicultores, a fabricação de ração é uma atividade difícil e cara por causa do alto preço dos aglutinantes artificiais tradicionais. O uso de amidos de grãos como aglutinantes de rações aquáticas tem vantagens que incluem acessibilidade, disponibilidade, contribuição nutricional e minimização do custo da ração. Um ensaio de pesquisa foi conduzido para testar propriedades físicas, como palatabilidade, estabilidade em água, pulverulência, friabilidade, velocidade de sedimentação e tempo de flutuação de amido disponível localmente, ou seja, glúten de trigo, amido de ervilha e goma de guar, e para auxiliar sua incorporação em rações aquáticas. Os resultados revelaram que, entre esses três amidos, o amido de ervilha se mostrou superior aos outros dois (glúten de trigo e goma de guar), pois todos os parâmetros de qualidade física (pulverulência, estabilidade da água e friabilidade) obtiveram melhor desempenho, exceto peletabilidade, em que a goma de guar se destacou. Nenhuma dieta se mostrou melhor no caso de tempo de flotação (Tf) e velocidade de sedimentação em comprimentos variados (6 mm, 9 mm e 12 mm). Essa descoberta indica a importância de aglutinantes adequados para a poluição ótima da água e a aquicultura sustentável. O uso desses aglutinantes, ou seja, glúten de trigo, amido de ervilha e goma de guar, em pellets de ração para peixes também pode reduzir a dependência de aglutinantes sintéticos e minimizar o custo.

Abstract Binders are the products that are used to bind, glue or hold the various feed ingredients together in order to maintain pellet integrity. For aqua-culturists, feed manufacturing is an expensive exercise due to the high cost of ingredients along with traditional artificial binders. The use of grain starches as aqua feed binders have advantages which include availability of that binder, nutritional contribution, and minimization of feed cost. A research trial was conducted to test physical properties such as palatability, water stability, dustiness, friability, settling velocity and floatation time of locally available starch i.e. wheat gluten, pea starch and guar gum and to assist their incorporation in on-farm aqua feed. Results revealed that among these three starch, the starch from pea source was proved superior over other two (wheat gluten and guar gum) as all physical quality parameters (dustiness, water stability and friability) revealed better performance of pea starch except pelletability in which guar gum performed best. Although not a single diet proved best in case of flotation time (Tf) and settling velocity (Vset) at varying lengths (6mm, 9mm and 12 mm). This finding indicates the significance of suitable binders for optimal water pollution and sustainable aquaculture. The use of these binders i.e. wheat gluten, pea starch and guar gum in fish feed pellets may also reduce dependence on synthetic binders and minimizes cost.