-To assess the influence of genotype and diets with different energy levels on the lipid profile of sheep meat, 54 lambs were used (18 animals from each genotype: Morada Nova, Santa Inez and ½Dorper + ½Santa Inez crossbred), distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 3 × 2 factorial arragement (three genotypes and two diets).The animals were submitted to two diets, 2.5 Mcal ME/kg DM and 3.0 Mcal ME/kg DM, receiving feed and water to reach the desired average live weight of 30 kg, when they were slaughtered. Total lipids, cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acids profile of the Longissimus muscle were assessed. Diet and genotype did not influence the total lipids, cholesterol and

A pesquisa foi realizada na casa de vegetação do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco-IPA, Recife-PE, objetivando avaliar os efeitos dos níveis de fósforo (P) e potássio (K) no crescimento e composição química da palma forrageira clone IPA-20. Estudou-se quatro níveis de P (0; 200; 400 e 800 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1) e quatro níveis de K (0; 200; 400 e 800 kg de K 2 O ha-1), em um arranjo fatorial 4 x 4, num delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As observações foram realizadas em intervalos de 28 dias, iniciando-se no terceiro mês do plantio até o sexto mês. Para o peso da matéria verde total observou-se efeito significativo apenas para o fator K (P < 0,05). Para teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S na parte aérea da palma, os níveis de P testados foram significativos (P < 0,05) para todos os nutrientes com exceção do P. Para níveis de K aplicados ao solo, observou-se efeito significativo (P < 0,05) apenas para teores de Ca e S. Os valores médios apresen

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-It was evaluated qualitative characteristics of confined hair sheep submitted to diets with two energy levels.Eighteen lambs from each genotype were used: Morada Nova, Santa Inez and Dorpper × Santa Inez crossbreds. The rations with the lowest and the highest energy level were made up with 2.5 and 2.94 Mcal EM/kg DM, respectively. It was evaluated conformation and finishing carcass, in addition to leg tissue composition. The score for conformation was significantly higher for animals kept in diet with the highest energy level and for Dorpper × Santa Inês crossbreds. Animals from Santa Inez and from Dorpper × Santa Inez breeds showed score for meat color close to red class, while Morada Nova genotype was close to slightly dark red. The muscle:bone ratio for Dorpper × Santa Inez crossbred and Morada Nova animals was higher than for Santa Inez animals. The muscle:fat ratio was higher in animals kept with the lowest energy concentration diet. The rib eye area of Dorpper × Santa Inez crossbred animals was similar to Morada Nova animals and higher than Santa Inez group. Carcass compactness index and subcutaneous fat thickness and maximum cover fat thickness on the surface of the 12 th rib were higher for animals submitted to the diet with the highest energy level. Leg fat was the only tissue influenced by diet calory density, while bone tissue was affected by the genotypes, since Santa Inez breed showed the highest percentage in this tissue. The genotype and level of energy in the diet affect carcass conformation. Diets with higher energy density improve carcass compactness index and subcutaneous fat thickness.

-Cultivars of the genus Nopalea are known in Brazil for being tolerant to cochineal carmine attacks, thus making the cultivation of this genus a promising alternative for mitigating the negative effects of this insect on the production of biomass. With the objectives of characterizing morphologically spineless forage cactus varieties and identify morphological characteristics that may be the focus in spineless forage cactus breeding programs, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with 11 treatments and four replications. The variety Alagoas showed the highest values of weight, area and volume of cladodes. The varieties Negro Michoacan F7 and V7, Tamazunchale V12 showed the highest values of the cladode area index, the total volume of cladodes and total fresh mass production. The varieties Negro Michoacan V7 and F7 presented the highest water use efficiency and dry mass yield. Cladode volume showed the highest correlation coefficients with the fresh weight of cladodes. Aiming the release of varieties for biomass production, varieties Negro Michoacan F7, V7 and Tamazunchale V12 may substitute the Miúda variety. The number and cladode area index may be used as criteria for selection of superior varieties in breeding programs. Keywords:Cladodes. Correlations. Dry mass yield. Nopalea cochenillifera. CARACTERIZAÇÃO MORFOLÓGICA E PRODUTIVA DE VARIEDADES DE PALMA FORRAGEIRARESUMO -Cultivares do gênero Nopalea são conhecidos no Brasil por serem tolerantes ao ataque cochonilha carmim, tornando o cultivo desse gênero uma alternativa promissora para mitigar os efeitos negativos deste inseto sobre a produção de biomassa. Com o objetivo de caracterizar morfologicamente variedades de palma forrageira e identificar características morfológicas que podem ser o foco em programas de melhoramento genético, um experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos casualizados com 11 tratamentos e quatro repetições. A variedade Alagoas apresentou os maiores valores de peso, área e volume de cladódios. As variedades Negro Michoacan F7 e V7, Tamazunchale V12 apresentaram os maiores valores de índice de área cladó-dio, volume total de cladódios e produção total de massa fresca. As variedades Negro Michoacan V7 e F7 apresentaram maior eficiência do uso de água e produção de massa seca. O volume de cladódios apresentou o maior coeficiente de correlação com a massa fresca de cladódios. Visando a liberação de variedades para a produção de biomassa, as variedades Negros Michoacan F7, V7 e V12 Tamazunchale podem substituir a variedade Miú-da. O número e cladódios índice de área podem ser utilizados como critério para seleção de variedades superiores em programas de melhoramento.Palavras-chave: Cladódios. Correlações. Produção de massa seca. Nopalea cochenillifera.

-The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of genotype and the energy concentration in the diet on the sensorial and chemical quality of lamb meat. It was evaluated samples from 18 Morada Nova animals, 18 Santa Inez animals, and 18 Santa Inez × Dorper crossbred animals, totalizing 54 animals. The animals were kept with two diets, with energy concentrations of 10.46 and 12.56 MJ ME/kg, respectively, and slaughtered at 30 kg average weight. It was determined contents of protein, moisture, fat and ash, as well as cooking loss, water-holding capacity, shear force, and sensorial attributes of flavour, firmness and juiciness of the meat. Genotype influenced the chemical composition of lamb meat because animals of Morada Nova breed presented the highest moisture content, and Santa Inez × Dorper crossbred showed the highest protein percentage; however, there was no variation in the sensorial attributes of lamb meat of these three genotypes. The diet with the highest energy concentration provides meat with higher juiciness.

RESUMO -Este trabalho foi realizado com os objetivos de avaliar os efeitos da alimentação e do genótipo sobre as características quantitativas de carcaça de cordeiros terminados em confinamento e estimar sua margem bruta. Mcal ME/kg DM and 2.94 Mcal ME/kg DM, respectively. A randomized complete design was used, with a 3 × 2 factorial scheme.The diets influenced daily weight gain, empty body weight, body score, feed efficiency and feedlot days, whilst the genotype promoted differences in all the variables studied. The caloric density of the diets influenced the biological hot and cold carcass yields, and the latter two were influenced by genotype. The more energetic diet (2.94 Mcal EM/kgDM) resulted in higher absolute weights of neck, shoulder, rib, loin and leg, but, in relative values, lambs fed with different energetic levels did not differ for these characteristics, regardless of the energetic level of the diet. The percentage yield of the cuts was influenced by the genotypes, except for the neck. The weights of all the cuts were influenced by genotypes. The treatment with the highest energy level resulted in the largest gross margin.Key Words: carcass yield, dry matter consumption, sheep IntroduçãoA criação de ovinos deslanados no Nordeste apresenta baixos índices zootécnicos em comparação a outras regiões, fato associado ao regime pluviométrico, que é escasso e irregular na região.A prática das atividades pecuárias desenvolvidas no País tem comprovado que a obtenção de índices produtivos satisfatórios é possível com a utilização de genótipos apropriados submetidos ao manejo alimentar adequado.As raças ovinas especializadas para corte apresentam crescimento rápido e bom acabamento de carcaça, mas são R. Bras.

The aim of this work was to determine the sensory quality (flavour, odour, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability) and physicochemical characteristics of meat from Santa Inês lambs fed with diets containing guava agroindustrial by-product (GAB). Was used samples of the longissimus lumborum of 40 entire males with an average slaughter weight of 32.0 kg, after approximately 105 days in a feedlot. Animals were randomly placed into four treatments (10 replicates per treatment) and fed with different levels of GAB (0, 20, 40 and 60%). Among the attributes examined, only odour was not influenced by the GAB. Inclusion of 40% GAB in diets (in place of corn) produced meat which satisfied consumer demands in terms of fresh colour, although with less intense flavour and tenderness. Although the factors juiciness and overall acceptability did not differ among the highest levels of GAB, we recommend to use GAB addition of up to 40% to avoid compromising on animal performance and consumer sensory characteristics.