Resumo O pagamento por serviços ecossistêmicos (PES) é um mecanismo no qual um consumidor é capaz e está pronto para pagar pela proteção do serviço ecossistêmico preciso e deve haver um provedor, como sociedades locais, que recebe um recurso econômico, que, em troca, deve ter capacidade para manter esse serviço ecossistêmico. A avaliação econômica fornece a base para o pagamento de serviços ecossistêmicos. Portanto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os serviços de turismo e estoque de carbono do território da capital de Islamabad (ICT), Paquistão. Duas zonas florestais (Chirpine e Scrub) do território da capital de Islamabad (ICT) foram selecionadas para estimativa do estoque de carbono e seus créditos de carbono e valor de carbono. Uma pesquisa baseada em questionário foi realizada para turismo como pagamento por serviços ecossistêmicos. O método para avaliação do estoque de carbono foi a amostragem sistemática para a floresta de Chirpine, enquanto a amostragem aleatória foi feita para a floresta de cerrado. O tamanho da parcela de amostragem foi de 17,84 m de raio, e um total de 93 parcelas (49 zona Scrub e 44 zona Chirpine) foi considerado na área de estudo. O estoque de carbono de ambas as zonas (zona Chirpine e Scrub) é de 22.556,75 ton/ha (Chirpine 20.105,79, Scrub 2.450,96), e o dióxido de carbono total sequestrado por ambas as zonas é de 82.557,72 ton/ha (Chirpine 73.587,2, Scrub 8.970,52); créditos totais de carbono de ambas as zonas são 302.160,87 (Chirpine 269.328,97, Scrub 32.831,9), e o valor de carbono tanto do Chirpine quanto da zona de scrub é 4.532.418,92 $ (Chirpine 4.039.937,09 $, Scrub 492481,83 $). Da mesma forma, do ponto de vista do turismo, em Shakar Parian 94% dos turistas concordaram com o PES, enquanto 6% discordaram do PES (6% dos turistas não concordaram em contribuir para o PES, 40% concordaram com a contribuição de R$ 5 e 54% para R$ 10). além disso, no Lake View Park, 97% dos turistas concordaram e 3% discordaram (no Lake View Park, 5% dos turistas discordaram da contribuição do PES, enquanto 32% concordaram em R$ 5 e 63% foram em R$ 10). Em Damen e Koh, cerca de 87% dos turistas concordaram e 13% discordaram (24% concordaram com a contribuição de R$ 5 e 63% dos turistas concordaram com a contribuição de R$ 10). No Jardim Zoológico de Marghazar, 93% dos turistas concordaram (22% aceitaram a contribuição de R$ 5 e 71% dos turistas aceitaram contribuir com R$ 10) e 7% discordaram para PES. enquanto 7% turistas não foram acordados para contribuição. O PSA pode ser implementado para compensar o gestor florestal e de parques para garantir uma melhor gestão de florestas e parques. Devido à localização privilegiada e beleza cênica do ICT, possui enorme potencial para implementação de mecanismo de PSA para manejo e conservação florestal sustentável. Portanto, recomenda-se que a autoridade de desenvolvimento da capital (CDA) de Islamabad elabore um plano para implementação de PES em florestas e parques de ICT para sua gestão sustentável de recursos recreativos e florestais.

Abstract Payment for ecosystem services (PES) is a mechanism where a consumer is able and ready to pay for the protection of the precise ecosystem service and there must be a provider such as local societies receiving an economic resource, who in return, must have the ability to maintain that ecosystem service. Economic valuation provides basis for payment for ecosystem services. Therefore, objective of this study was to evaluate tourism and carbon stock services of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Pakistan. Two forest zones (Chirpine and Scrub) of Islamabad capital territory (ICT) were selected for estimation of carbon stock and their carbon credits and carbon worth, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted for tourism as a payment for ecosystem services. The method for carbon stock assessment was systematic sampling for Chirpine forest whereas random sampling was done for scrub forest. The size of sampling plot was 17.84 m radius, and a total of 93 plots (49 Scrub zone and 44 Chirpine zone) was taken in the study area. The carbon stock of both zones (Chirpine and Scrub zone) is 22556.75 ton/ha (Chirpine 20105.79, Scrub 2450.96) and total carbon dioxide sequestered by both zone is 82557.72 ton/ha (Chirpine 73587.2, Scrub 8970.52), total carbon credits of both zone is 302160.87 (Chirpine 269328.97, Scrub 32831.9) and the carbon worth of both Chirpine and scrub zone is 4532418.92 $ (Chirpine 4039937.09$, Scrub 492481.83$). Similarly, from tourism point of view, in Shakar Parian, 94% tourists were agreed for PES whereas 6% were disagreed for the PES (the 6% tourist were disagreed to contribute for PES, 40% were agreed for Rs.5 contribution and 54% for Rs.10.). moreover, in Lake view Park, 97% tourists were agreed and 3% are disagreed (In Lake View Park 5% tourists were disagreed for the PES contribution whereas 32% were agreed for Rs.5 and 63% were for Rs.10). In Damen e Koh, around 87% tourist were agreed and 13% were disagreed, (24% were agreed for the contribution of Rs.5 and 63% tourists were agreed for the contribution of Rs.10). In Marghazar Zoo, 93% tourists were agreed (22% were agreed for contribution of Rs.5 and 71% tourist were agreed for contribution of Rs.10) and 7% are disagreed for PES whereas 7% tourists were not agreed for contribution. PES may implement to compensate forest and parks manager to ensure better management of the forests and parks. Due to prime location and scenic beauty of the ICT, it has huge potential for implementation of PES mechanism for sustainable forest management and conservation. Therefore, it is recommended that Capital Development Authority (CDA) Islamabad should devise a plan for implementation of PES in forests and parks of ICT for its sustainable management of recreational and forest resources.

Resumo As drogas antituberculose são relatadas como causadoras de hepatotoxicidade, ocasionando o aumento assintomático das enzimas hepáticas. As plantas hepatoprotetoras desempenham um papel importante na proteção do fígado. Este estudo investigou o potencial hepatoprotetor de Solanum lycopersicum em ratos que foram intoxicados com isoniazida e rifampicina (INH + RIF) para induzir hepatotoxicidade. Trinta ratos wistar albinos foram divididos em cinco grupos de seis animais cada. Os ratos do grupo 1 representaram o grupo controle, enquanto os ratos dos grupos II, III, IV e V receberam INH + RIF (75 + 150 mg/kg) por via oral, por sete dias consecutivos. Para o tratamento, os ratos do grupo III receberam silimarina, enquanto os animais do grupo IV e V receberam 40 mg/kg e 80 mg/kg de extrato de S. lycopersicum, respectivamente. Nos dias 0 e 8, foram coletadas amostras de sangue para análise de biomarcadores hepáticos. Os dados foram submetidos a teste unilateral (ANOVA) e post hoc de Bonferroni para análise estatística. A hepatotoxicidade induzida por INH + RIF resultou em elevação significativa das enzimas hepáticas séricas, incluindo aspartato aminotransferase (AST), alanina aminotransferase (ALT), fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e bilirrubina total, enquanto houve a diminuição do nível de albumina. O S. lycopersicum, na dose de 80 mg / kg, reduziu significativamente as enzimas hepáticas AST, ALT, ALP e bilirrubina, enquanto o nível de albumina aumentou de forma significativa. O tratamento não teve efeito significativo no peso corporal e hepático. A hepatotoxicidade induzida por drogas pode ser tratada de forma eficaz com S. lycopersicum na dose de 80 mg/kg.

Abstract Anti-tuberculosis drugs are reported to cause hepatotoxicity, which varies from asymptomatic rise of the hepatic enzymes. Hepatoprotective plants plays important role to protect liver. This study investigated the hepatoprotective potential of the Solanum lycopersicum in rats intoxicated with Isoniazid and Rifampicin (INH+RIF) to induce hepatotoxicity. Thirty wistar albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group 1 rats were kept control while groups II, III, IV and V were administered with INH+RIF (75+150 mg/kg) orally, for seven consecutive days. For treatment, rats in group III received silymarin while animals in group IV and V were provided with 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of Solanum lycopersicum extract, respectively. On day 0 and 8th blood samples were collected for the analysis of hepatic biomarkers. The data were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc test for statistical analysis. Hepatotoxicity induced by INH+RIF resulted in significant elevation of serum hepatic enzymes including Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin while decreased the albumin level. The Solanum lycopersicum at dose of 80 mg/kg significantly reduced the hepatic enzymes AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin while the albumin level was significantly increased. The treatment had non-significant effect on body and liver weight. Drug induced hepatotoxicity can be effectively treated with Solanum lycopersicum at 80 mg/kg dose.

Resumo A borboleta azul séria, Chilades pandava – Horsfield, 1829 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), é considerada uma das principais pragas de insetos destrutivas para as palmeiras ornamentais Cycas e Zamia. Medidas biológicas e morfológicas foram realizadas em estádios de C. pandava criados em Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) e Zamia encephalartoides (Zamiaceae). Nos detalhes da descrição, variações não significativas foram registradas entre os dois gêneros de borboleta azul cicadácea nos dados obtidos, mas o adulto masculino era mais densamente azul ou violeta do que o adulto feminino. Com o auxílio do MEV, C. pandava, todos os estágios foram diferenciados por pelos longos e grossos que cobriam todo o corpo. Os caracteres morfométricos a saber, comprimento, largura e venação das asas, comprimento do corpo, asa anterior e posterior, podem servir de guia para a discriminação taxonômica.Os dados mostraram que a duração do ciclo de vida de C. pandava variou entre 20,64 e 21,7 dias. Os períodos de desenvolvimento dos diferentes estágios de C. pandava são ligeiramente maiores em zamia do que em cicas. Essa investigação detectou que uma alta taxa de sobrevivência foi encontrada em palmeiras Cycas (86%) do que a taxa de sobrevivência registrada em palmeiras Zamia (82%). No presente estudo, os caracteres morfométricos descritos podem servir de guia para a discriminação taxonômica dessa praga. Consequentemente, este estudo agregou um conhecimento valioso sobre C. pandava para ter decisões acertadas para a proposta de seu manejo e conservação no Egito.

Abstract The serious blue butterfly, Chilades pandava -Horsfield, 1829- (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is consider one of the main destructive insect pests for ornamental palms Cycas and Zamia. Biological and morphological measurements were carried out of C. pandava stages reared on Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae) and Zamia encephalartoides (Zamiaceae). In description details, non-significant variations were recorded between the two gender of cycad blue butterfly in the obtained data, but the male adult was more densely blue or violet than female adult. By the aid of SEM, C. pandava all stages were distinct by long and thick hairs covered all the body. The morphometric characters namely, length, width and venation of wings, body length, forewing, hindwing could be as a guide for taxonomic discrimination. The data showed that the life cycle duration of C. pandava was ranged between 20.64 to 21.7 days. The developmental periods of different C. pandava stages are slightly higher on zamia than cycas palms. This investigation detected that a high survival rate was found on Cycas palms (86%) than the survived rate recording on Zamia palms (82%). In the present study, the described morphometric characters could be used as a guide for taxonomic discrimination of this pest. Consequently, this study added a valuable knowledge about C. pandava to have sound decisions for proposal of its management and conservation in Egypt.

Marek's disease (MD) is an infectious, lymphoproliferative disorder caused by the alpha herpesvirus genus, Mardivirus, serotype 1 (Gallid Herpesvirus 2, or GaHV-2). There is no current information on Marek's disease virus (MDV) pathotypes and serotypes circulating in backyard poultry in Pakistan. This study aimed to characterize GaHV-2 in the backyard poultry of Rawalpindi division based on glycoprotein C and to investigate the correlation of a viral oncogene (meq) with the histological, lymphoproliferative infiltration in the visceral organs of naturally-infected birds. The study was performed from May 2019 to April 2020 in the Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock districts of the Rawalpindi division. An overall 13.96% prevalence of MDV infection based on gross morphology and 18.43% using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was recorded. The Pakistani GaHV-2 isolates could be divided into two clades, based on sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the gC gene, closely related to the US virulent isolates and mildly virulent vaccine strain, CVI988, respectively. Of total PCR-positive cases, 25 (75.76%) samples revealed gross tumours. Median histopathological scores of lymphoproliferative infiltrations in the spleen and liver tissues were recorded as moderate (++), whereas in the heart and gonads, mild (+) changes were observed. The mean viral load quantified using real-time PCR of 14.72 copies of meq gene/ß-actin revealed a strong (R² = 0.88) correlation with histopathology scores of spleen tissues. Differences in the meq gene/ß-actin ratio were observed between non-tumorous and tumorous birds, which is indicative of pathological changes in individuals of the present study.

Abstract The impact of the Antarctic Ozone Hole Influence over Southern Brazil in October 2015 was analyzed using daily mean data of the Total Column Ozone (TCO), Ultraviolet Index (UVI) and Radiative Cloud Fraction (RCF) from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument satellite instrument. Vertical profiles and fields of ozone content and Potential Vorticity available from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast reanalysis, air masses backward trajectories from the HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model and channel 3 water vapor images from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GOES-13 were also analyzed. The five identified events showed an -7.4±2.3% average TCO reduction, leading to an +16.6±54.6% UVI increase even with a predominance of partly cloudy days. Other impacts were observed in the ozone profiles, where the most significant anomalies occurred from 650 K reaching 1.2 ppmv at the 850 K level. In the ozone fields at 700 K, the presence of a polar origin tongue was observed causing negatives anomalies between -0.2 and 0.4 ppmv in a transient system format forced with eastward-traveling Rossby waves passing through the Southern of Brazil and Uruguay.

Resumo A organização das raízes, gânglios e a distribuição periférica dos nervos cranianos dos embriões totalmente formados de Oreochromis niloticus são examinados nas seções transversais seriais. Esses nervos carregam fibras, que também foram analisadas. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que o nervo glossofaríngeo se origina por meio de apenas uma raiz, que sai do crânio pelo forame glossofaríngeo. Este nervo fornece fibras (visceromotoras) para os primeiros músculos levantadores do arco branquial interno e externo. Existe um único gânglio epibranquial (petroso) localizado extracranialmente. Nervus glossopharyngeus tem três ramos; faríngeo, pretramticus e póstrematicus. O ramo faríngeo contém apenas fibras viscerossensoriais — gerais para o epitélio faríngeo e especiais para o pseudobrânquio. Fibras viscerossensoriais gerais também são transportadas por ramos pretrematicus e posttrematicus para o revestimento epitelial da faringe. As fibras sensoriais especiais são transportadas pelo ramus pretrematicus para as papilas gustativas e pelo ramus posttrematicus para os filamentos branquiais. O ramo pretrematicus também carrega fibras visceromotoras para o primeiro adutor arcus branchialis e para o primeiro músculo oblíquo ventral.

Abstract The organization of the roots, ganglia and the peripheral distribution of the cranial nerves of the fully formed embryos of Oreochromis niloticus are examined in the transverse serial sections. These nerves carry fibers, which were also analyzed. The results of this study demonstrated that the glossopharyngeal nerve originates by means of only one root, which leaves the cranium through the glossopharyngeal foramen. This nerve gives fibers (visceromotor) to the first internal and external levator arcus branchialis muscles. There is a single epibranchial (petrosal) ganglion located extracranially. Nervus glossopharyngeus has three rami; pharyngeus, pretramticus and posttrematicus. The ramus pharyngeus carries only viscerosensory fibers; general for the pharyngeal epithelium and special ones for the pseudobranch. General viscerosensory fibers are also carried by rami pretrematicus and posttrematicus for the pharyngeal epithelial lining. The special sensory fibers are carried by the ramus pretrematicus for the taste buds and by ramus posttrematicus for the gill filaments. The ramus pretrematicus also carries visceromotor fibers for the first adductor arcus branchialis and to the first obliquus ventralis muscles.

Abstract The current project deals with designing and synthesizing of colorimetric chemosensors to detect the cations in the aqueous medium and biological sample. To achieve this goal a new series of quinazolinone derivatives were synthesized via reaction of the novel 6-nitro-2-propyl-4H- benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-one (3) with selected nitrogen nucleophiles, namely, formamide, hydrazine hydrate, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, O-phenylendiamine, O-aminophenol and O-aminothiophenol, urea and/or thiourea. Structures of the new compounds have been investigated depending on their spectral data (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS) and elemental analyses. Some of the newly synthesized products exhibited a significant response as chemosensors for some cations detection. The synthesized chemosensors 11a and 11b showed high-selectivity and specificity towards cooper (CuII) and mercury (HgII) cations detection through exhibiting colormetric responses. Chemosensors 7 and 10 b showed high selectivity toward cadmium (CdII) cation, whilst other examined compounds (9b, c, 10a, 12, 13, and 14) did not exhibit colorimetric response in all cation's samples.

Resumen En el presente proyecto se diseñan y sintetizan quimiosensores colorimétricos para detectar los cationes en el medio acuoso y en la muestra biológica. Para lograr este objetivo se sintetizó una nueva serie de derivados de quinazolinona mediante la reacción de la 6-nitro-2-propil-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-4-ona (3) con nucleófilos nitrogenados seleccionados, a saber, formamida, hidrato de hidracina, clorhidrato de hidroxilamina, O- fenilendiamina, O -aminofenol y O-aminotiofenol, urea y/o tiourea. Las estructuras de los nuevos compuestos se han comprobado en función de sus datos espectrales (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR y MS) y de los análisis elementales. Algunos de los nuevos productos sintetizados mostraron una respuesta significativa como quimiosensores para la detección de algunos cationes. Los quimiosensores sintetizados 11a y 11b mostraron una alta selectividad y especificidad hacia la detección de los cationes cobre (Cu II) y mercurio (Hg II) al mostrar respuestas colormétricas. Los quimiosensores 7 y 10b mostraron una alta selectividad hacia el catión cadmio (Cd II), mientras que otros compuestos examinados (9b, c, 10a, 12, 13 y 14) no mostraron respuesta colorimétrica con los cationes investigados.

ABSTRACT Plant tissue culture techniques are useful for producing a large number of disease-free plant material. The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal nodal explant type (terminal, intermediate and basal) and cytokinins (6-benzyladenine and thidiazuron [TDZ] at concentrations of 0 to 3 mg L-1) for bud break and axillary shoot proliferation of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The intermediate nodal explants were effective for the establishment of G. glabra aseptic culture when compared with terminal or basal nodal explants. The highest bud break (89%) and axillary shoot proliferation (eight shoots) were observed when the intermediate nodal explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 TDZ for 30 d. The best rooting medium was MS medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) compared with indole acetic acid; NAA at 6 mg L-1 yielded 78% rooting and an average of 6.3 roots per plantlet. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized, with a survival rate of 77.7%, when transferred to ex vitro conditions and showed no morphological abnormalities. Thus, the high percentage of bud break and rate of shoot proliferation and successful acclimatization established a simple and efficient micropropagation of G. glabra.

Abstract Background: Allelopathic plants like safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) can be considered as natural herbicides for weeds management in field. But there is not enough research on safflower genotypes allelopathy potential. Objective: So in this study, allelopathic effect of the four safflower genotypes on weeds (Amaranthussp., Hordeum spontaneum), crops (Sesamum indicum, Triticum aestivum) and on autotoxicity of Carthamus tinctorius was evaluated in bioassay using sandwich method. The results can be used in the management of weeds in safflower fields and also in the rotation with other crops. Methods: Two genotypes with high allelopathic potential and two genotypes with low allelopathic potential were selected from forty genotypes of safflower. Growth traits including radicle length, hypocotyl length, shoot length, fresh biomass weight and germination percentages were measured. Results: Results showed that Amaranthussp. and C. tinctorius displayed the most and least susceptibility to safflower residues, respectively. Khorasan (Khorasan330) and Egypt (PI657800) had the greatest with Kerman (CTNIR9) and Australia (PI 262424) had the least inhibitory effects on target plants. PI 262424 stimulated hypocotyl growth by 51%, 18% and 7% in H. spontaneum, T. aestivum and C. tinctorius, respectively. CTNIR9 enhanced this trait by 16% in T. aestivum and 10% in C. tinctorius. In large-seeded species (H. spontaneum, T. aestivum and C. tinctorius, Kerman (CTNIR9) and Australia (PI 262424) stimulated seedling growth. Conclusion: It can be concluded that effectiveness of allelopathic residues of safflower on target plants depended on the seed size of target plant with smaller seed size (Amaranthussp.) were more susceptible to allelopathic residues than those with larger ones. In addition radicle length was affected more than other growth traits by safflower residues.

This study describes the use of uncured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a binder agent to prepare carbon paste electrodes (CPEs). A comparative study between the properties of CPEs prepared with PDMS and mineral oil Nujol®, the most common binder agent for CPEs, was carried out. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and chronoamperometry showed that PDMS-CPEs presented higher electrical conductivity, active electrochemical area, and wider useful potential window compared with Nujol®-CPEs. Moreover, PDMS-CPEs were more stable in aqueous mixtures containing 50% (v/v) of ethanol or methanol than Nujol®-CPEs. PDMS-CPEs have also provided higher sensitivity and lower limit of detection to propranolol than Nujol®-CPE. Therefore, this study demonstrated that PDMS is a promising alternative binder agent able to produce CPEs with superior chemical/electrochemical stability and improved analytical performance.

ABSTRACT The process of solid circulation in an internally circulating fluidized bed (ICFB) having two or more chambers can be developed by applying unequal gas velocities in these chambers. Such a process is beneficial to several applications and provides the means for the energy transfer between the chambers in the ICFB. In this paper, a multi-fluid CFD model incorporating the kinetic theory of granular flow is used to simulate the hydrodynamic characteristics of a binary mixture of particles in an ICFB using ANSYS-Fluent software. The mixture is composed of two particles of different sizes but the same densities. The ICFB has two chambers named the reaction chamber (RC) and the heat exchange chamber (HEC), separated by a vertical central baffle. An increase in the RC gas velocity UR at constant HEC gas velocity UH results in an increase in the circulation rate of the binary mixture. The circulation rate of small particles GBs is found to be higher than that of the big particles GBb. Increasing the slot size causes a decrease in the pressure difference between the chambers and consequently decreasing the solid circulation rate in the ICFB. The mixture circulation rate also decreases when the mixture is richer in GBb particles than in GBs.

RESUMO A melhor tomada de decisão é uma tarefa difícil no manejo florestal, pois envolve um grande número de variáveis de mercado e de produção. Simulou-se o crescimento e produção de Pinus taeda L. em sítios altamente produtivos, com objetivo de indicar regimes de desbaste e densidades de plantio que maximizam a produção de toras grossas (diâmetro da ponta fina >35 cm), bem como avaliá-los economicamente. O software OpTimber-LP para otimização de problemas florestais foi usado. As simulações envolveram quatro densidades de plantio (1.111; 1.600; 2.000; e 2.500 plantas/ha); três desbastes com diferentes pesos, frequências e idades de aplicação; e corte raso aos 25 anos. Essas combinações totalizaram em 2.916 regimes de manejo. VPLA foi calculado com variação de taxas de interesse e considerando custos de produção e retornos provenientes de desbastes e do corte raso. Os resultados indicaram maior produção de toras grossas em regimes com menores densidades de plantio. A intensidade de desbaste de 60% destacou-se por ter sido ideal para quase todos os processos, principalmente nas densidades de 2.000 e 2.500 plantas/ha. Essa intensidade também foi ideal para o primeiro desbaste, independentemente da densidade de plantas. A produção nos melhores regimes variou de 480 e 260 m3/ha, para as densidades de 1.111 e 2.500 plantas/ha, respectivamente. VPLA variou de ~1.300 a ~2.100 R$/ha. Como conclusão, regimes de manejo menos densos propiciaram maior produção de toras grossas, porém, menor em volume total; como consequência, o VPLA foi maior para os regimes mais densos, uma vez que a receita obtida pela produção de toras de alto valor não compensou a receita de toras mais finas (que também são mais baratas). Regimes com alta densidade podem fracassar com um único primeiro desbaste errado, enquanto regimes com menor densidade podem ter produção realmente prejudicada quando são sujeitos a consecutivos desbastes errados.

ABSTRACT The best decision-making is a difficult task in forest management because it involves a large number of market and production variables. We simulated the growth and yield of loblolly pine in high-quality sites, aiming to indicate thinning regimes and planting densities that maximize the production of large diameter logs (minor diameter >35 cm), as well as economically evaluating such regimes. We used the software OpTimber-LP for forest optimization problems. Simulations involved four planting densities (1,111; 1,600; 2,000; and 2,500 plants/ha); three thinnings with different weights, frequencies and ages of application; and clear cut at 25 years. Such combinations totalized in 2,916 simulated regimes. We computed ANPV assuming variations in interest rates, besides costs of production and returns resulting from thinnings and from clear cut. The findings indicated great productions of large diameter logs in regimes with low planting densities. Heavy thinnings (60% removal of trees) highlighted by being ideal to almost all regimes, mainly those ones with densities of 2,000 and 2,500 plants/ha. Heavy intensity also was ideal to the first thinning, regardless the planting density. The most productive regimes presented large diameter log volumes ranging from 480 to 260 m3/ha, for regimes with 1,111 and 2,500 plants/ha, respectively. ANPV ranged from ~1.300 to ~2.100 R$/ha. As conclusion, less dense regimes provide largest productions in large diameter log, but the lowest productions in total volume; as consequence, ANPV was larger in denser regimes, once the revenue obtained from high-value logs did not overcome that one obtained from finer (and consequently cheaper) logs. High-density regimes may produce less timber volume due to only one improper thinning, whereas low-density stands may have production really affected when are subjected to consecutive improper thinnings.

RESUMO: Estudos de campo foram realizados ao longo de três anos no Instituto de Pesquisas Agrícolas Dera Ismail Khan, província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão, entre 2010-11 e 2012-2013, com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia de diferentes técnicas de manejo no crescimento de plantas daninhas e rendimento do grão-de-bico sob sistema de irrigação pela chuva em umidade residual de cultivo prévio de arroz. Os tratamentos do experimento foram compostos de doses totais e meias doses, conforme recomendação do fabricante, de três herbicidas: Stomp 330E, Dual Gold 960EC e Isoproturon 500EW, além do extrato vegetal de Parthenium hysterophorus. O tratamento com capina foi mantido como controle positivo, enquanto o tratamento sem capina foi incluído como controle negativo. O experimento teve delineamento em blocos completamente casualizados com três repetições. Os parâmetros da investigação foram densidade de plantas daninhas, biomassa fresca de plantas daninhas, crescimento de grão-de-bico e rendimento biológico e de sementes. Os dados revelaram que a dose total de Stomp 330E foi superior em termos de supressão de plantas daninhas, com apenas 84, 69 e 55 plantas daninhas m-2, em comparação com o tratamento sem capina nos períodos de 2010-11, 2011-12 e 2012-13, respectivamente. Da mesma forma, também foram registrados maior altura das plantas e maior rendimento de sementes com o Stomp 330E (dose total) durante toda a duração do estudo - um resultado estatisticamente semelhante ao da capina de plantas daninhas. No entanto, durante o segundo e o terceiro ano do experimento, foi observada redução na produção total de grão-de-bico, proporcional à menor precipitação média. Assim como o Stomp 330E, o extrato de P. histerophorus também suprimiu as plantas daninhas, aumentando a altura das plantas e o rendimento biológico e de sementes do grão-de-bico. Além disso, os resultados obtidos pelo extrato de P. hysterophorus foram estatisticamente semelhantes aos de todos os outros tratamentos testados. Com base nos resultados desta pesquisa, observou-se que a aplicação dos herbicidas e a capina apresentaram resultados superiores em todos os parâmetros testados; no entanto, ambas as abordagens são pouco sensatas: a capina é trabalhosa, ao passo que os herbicidas podem causar poluição ambiental. Por isso, o potencial herbicida de P. hysterophorus precisa ser incentivado para se alcançar um manejo sustentável de plantas daninhas e um alto rendimento de forma ecologicamente correta.

ABSTRACT: Three-year field studies were undertaken at Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan from 2010-11 to 2012-2013 with the aim of assessing the efficacy of different management techniques on weed growth and yield of chickpea under rain-fed conditions on residual moisture of a previous rice crop. Treatments of the experiment consisted of recommended full and half doses of three herbicides, i.e., Stomp 330E, Dual Gold 960EC and Isoproturon 500EW and the plant extract of Parthenium hysterophorus. Hand weeding treatment was kept as positive control whereas weedy check was included as negative control treatment. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Block (CRB) design replicated thrice. Parameters of the investigation were weed density, fresh weed biomass, chickpea growth, biological yield and seed yield. The data revealed that the full dose of Stomp 330E proved superior in terms of weed suppression by giving only 84, 69 and 55 weeds m-2 as compared to weedy check for the years 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13, respectively. Likewise, the highest plant height and seed yield were also recorded for Stomp 330E (full dose) during the entire study, which was statistically at par with hand weeding. However, there was a reduction in overall chickpea yield during the second and third years of experimentation resulting from lower average rainfall. The extract of P. hysterophorus followed Stomp 330E in weed suppression, enhancing plant height as well as biological yield and seed yield. Moreover, the result also shows statistically similar results of the extract of P. hysterophorus for all other tested treatments. Based on the findings of the present research, it was found that herbicides and hand weeding showed superior results in terms of all tested parameters. However, both approaches are non-judicious: hand weeding is laborious while herbicides may cause environmental pollution, hence the herbicidal potential of P. hysterophorus needs to be encouraged in order to achieve sustainable weed management and high yield in an eco-friendly manner.

RESUMO: A losna-branca (Parthenium hysterophorus) é considerada uma planta invasora no mundo inteiro e está ameaçando a biodiversidade do Paquistão. Para estudar o potencial alelopático da espécie, foram realizados estudos em laboratório e vasos durante os meses de julho-agosto e outubro-novembro de 2010 no Laboratório de Pesquisa sobre Plantas Daninhas, Departamento de Plantas Daninhas, University of Agriculture Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Os experimentos foram conduzidos para investigar o efeito alelopático da losna-branca nas culturas de Triticum aestivum, Cicer arietinum e Brassica campestris e de plantas daninhas, incluindo Avena fatua, Asphodelus tenuifolius e Lolium rigidum. As folhas frescas de P. hysterophorus foram secas à sombra e trituradas. A quantidade desejada de pó foi embebida durante 16 horas na quantidade desejada de água para produzir a solução-estoque da concentração máxima (75 g L-1). Cinco sementes de cada espécie foram colocadas em placas de Petri e em vasos, e os extratos foram aplicados quando necessário. Um grupo controle (0 g L-1) também foi incluído para fins de comparação. Ambos os experimentos foram definidos como fatoriais, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DCI) com quatro repetições e duas corridas experimentais cada. Como não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas entre as corridas experimentais, os dados foram agrupados antes de serem submetidos a ANOVA e separação de médias. As diferenças entre as espécies testadas e as doses de extratos de P. hysterophorus foram estatisticamente significativas (P?0,05) para todos os traços investigados. Já para a interação entre espécie x concentração de P. hysterophorus, as diferenças foram significativas (P?0,05) apenas para altura da planta no experimento em vaso. Os resultados mostraram que, com o aumento da concentração de P. hysterophorus, todos os parâmetros estudados nas seis espécies testadas tiveram redução significativa. Assim, o presente estudo sugere que P. hysterophorus afeta o agroecossistema e precisa ser manejada corretamente. Além disso, o efeito alelopático dessa espécie nas plantas daninhas é um resultado promissor para o manejo sustentável delas.

ABSTRACT: Parthenium hysterophorus being a declared invasive weed worldwide is threatening the biodiversity of Pakistan. To study its allelopathic potential, laboratory and pots based studies were undertaken during July-August and October-November, 2010 in Weed Research Laboratory, Department of Weed Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. The experiments were conducted to investigate the allelopathic effect of parthenium on crops Triticum aestivum, Cicer arietinum and Brassica campestris, and weeds including Avena fatua, Asphodelus tenuifolius and Lolium rigidum The fresh leaves of P.hysterophorus were dried in shade and grinded. The desired quantity of powder was soaked for 16 hr. in the desired quantity of water to make the stock solution of the maximum concentration viz. 75 g L-1. Five seeds of each species were placed in Petri dishes and in pots, extracts were applied when needed. Control (0 g L-1) was also included for comparison. Both experiments were laid out as Factorial in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications and two runs each. Since the statistical differences between the runs were non-significant the data were pooled before subjecting it to ANOVA and mean separation. The differences among the test species and the rates of parthenium extracts were different statistically (P?0.05) for all the traits examined, while for the species x parthenium concentration interaction, the differences were only significant (P?0.05) for plant height in the pot experiment. The results showed that with the increasing concentration of P. hysterophorus, all the parameters studied in the six test species were significantly decreased. Hence, the present study suggests that P. hysterophorus affects the agro-ecosystem and needs to be properly managed, moreover, its allelopathy on weeds is an encouraging finding for the weed managers for the sustainable management of weeds.

RESUMO A cultura do milho (Zea mays) está enfrentando muitos problemas com diferentes pragas em toda a Ásia, incluindo o Paquistão. A infestação de plantas daninhas é uma das pragas graves que muito diminuiu a produtividade de grãos nessa cultura. Na província de Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, no Paquistão, a tendência para o cultivo de milho híbrido está chamando a atenção dos agricultores, devido à sua maior produtividade. Assim, na presente pesquisa foram testados os herbicidas (Stomp diretiva 330 CE, Dual Gold diretiva 960 CE e 2,4-D, éster) em híbridos de milho (P-3025, P-32T78 e P-3203). O experimento foi realizado em delineamento RCB (Randomized Complete Block), por meio de parcelas subdivididas, em que híbridos de milho foram mantidos nos lotes principais, enquanto os herbicidas foram designados em sublotes. Cada tratamento foi repetido três vezes no New Developmental Farm (NDF), da Faculdade de Agricultura de Peshawar, Paquistão. Os resultados revelaram que tanto os híbridos quanto os herbicidas aumentaram significativamente a altura da planta e seu rendimento biológico, assim como a produção de grãos. No entanto, a menor densidade de plantas daninhas (142,50 m-2) foi observada nas parcelas tratadas com Dual Gold 960 CE. Da mesma forma, a altura da planta (247.188 cm) e seu rendimento de grãos (2.253 t ha-1) foram máximos nas parcelas tratadas com milho híbrido P-3025 e Dual Gold. A partir deste experimento, conclui-se que o Dual Gold 960 CE é declarado o melhor herbicida para a supressão de plantas daninhas na cultura de milho, ao passo que o milho híbrido P-3025 foi o melhor híbrido, tendo seu rendimento máximo na área estudada.

ABSTRACT Maize crop (Zea mays) is facing lots of problems from different pests throughout Asia, including Pakistan. Weed infestation is one of the serious pests that remarkably decrease the grain yield in maize. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, the trend of maize hybrid cultivation is gaining the attention of the farmers due to its higher production. Therefore, in this research we tested herbicides (Stomp 330 E, Dual gold 960 EC, 2,4-D, ester) in maize hybrids (P-3025, P-32T78, P-3203). The experiment was done in RCB design with split plots arrangement, where maize hybrids were kept in main plots, while herbicides were assigned to the subplots. Each treatment was repeated three times at the New Developmental Farm (NDF), at the Peshawar University of Agriculture, Pakistan. Results revealed that both hybrids and herbicides significantly increased plant height, biological yield and grain yield. However, the lowest weed density (142.50 m-2) was observed in Dual Gold 960 EC treated plots. Similarly, plant height (247.188 cm) and grain yield (2.253 ton ha-1) was maximum in maize hybrid P-3025 and Dual gold treated plots. From the instant experiment, it is concluded that the Dual gold 960 EC herbicide is declared as the best herbicide for weed suppression in maize, while maize hybrid P-3025 was the best hybrid giving maximum yield in the study.