The diversity between the ruminants' digits makes it necessary to study the anatomical features in all these animals. For this purpose, the left forelimb and hind limb of Brazilian male bovine breeds (Curraleira, n=15; Pantaneira, n=15; Nellore, n=15) and water buffaloes (n=12) were used. Dorsopalmar/plantar radiographies were obtained. Then they were photographed, digitalized and analyzing by computer program ImageJ software. The lengths of the condyles (LC), first (P1), second (P2), third phalanges (P3), and the overall length (OL) of the digits, on the forefeet (FF) and hind feet (HF) were determined. The LC, P1, P2, P3 and OL of the digits were similar in the Curraleira and Pantaneira breeds in the FF and HF. In Nellore, the lengths of all bone measurements were greater than the bone lengths of the Curraleira and Pantaneira. No differences for LC and P1 lengths between Nellore and Buffaloes were observed. The buffaloes showed the lengths of the P2, P3 and OL greater than the bone measurements of all bovine breeds. No statistical differences between lateral and medial digits, of the FF and HF, were seen in bovines and buffaloes. Nevertheless, it was interesting to observe that the lateral digits appeared some millimeters greater, in Curraleira (FF=2.4 mm, HF=0.8 mm), Pantaneira (FF=0.7 mm, HF=1.1 mm), Nellore (FF=0.7 mm, HF=1.6 mm) and buffaloes (FF=0.2 mm, HF=0.9 MM). The lateral forefoot condyles were longer than medial forefoot condyles in all animals. A higher correlation between the length of P3 and the body weight in the hind foot of buffaloes was seen. Canonical analysis demonstrated similarity between the bovine digits and proved that buffalo digits were longer than in all bovines. The lengths of the digital bones are different among Curraleira, Pantaneira and Nellore breeds, and Buffaloes.

Cassava root rot causes significant production losses. Difficulties of management, along with the lack of chemical fungicides officially registered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), require alternative control methods. This study investigated the in vitro antagonistic activity of Trichoderma harzianum as well as a biological fertilizer MICROGEO® on Fusarium solani. The phytophatogenic strains of F. solani, called F1 and F2 were isolated from rotted cassava tubers and T. harzianum, strain ESALQ 1306, from a biological fungicide. Continuous liquid composting of bovine ruminal content, water and MICROGEO® produced the biological fertilizer. Dual culture method was used at the bioassay with T. harzianum. Sterilized (St) and unsterilized (USt) biological fertilizer were tested in different concentrations (% v/v) diluted in the culture media. Colony diameters were measured daily in order to establish the mycelial growth velocity index, inhibition percentage, aside from the sporulation rate and spore germination percentage. The mycelial growth of F. solani isolates was interrupted after hyphae encounter with T. harzianum, due to the occurrence of mycoparasitism, but without influence on the sporulation rate. Sterilized biological fertilizer induced no biocontrol, whereas the unsterilized product (concentration 2.5%) inhibited approximately 64% and 85% of the mycelial growth of isolates F1 and F2, respectively. Moreover, spore germination declined with increasing concentration. In conclusion, T. harzianum and the unsterilized biofertilizer showed in vitro antagonistic activity on F. solani.

Huanglongbing (HLB) é a doença mais grave para a citricultura. Plantas pouco afetadas por patógenos podem ser explicados pelas interações entre populações microbianas e plantas. A reestruturação de comunidades pode ser feita pelo uso de biofertilizantes, com potencial de suprimir doenças por meio do estímulo de microrganismos benéficos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as comunidades epifíticas de citros associadas ao HLB em áreas com e sem aplicação de biofertilizante. Amostras de folhas foram coletadas aleatoriamente de árvores sintomáticas, assintomáticas e saudáveis. Fungos totais, fixadores de nitrogênio e bactérias totais foram avaliados pela contagem de unidades formadoras de colônia (UFC) em meio de cultura. Os dados foram tratados em esquema fatorial 2x3, submetidos à análise de variância e as médias foram comparadas por teste de Tukey (p<0,05). O número de bactérias totais foi expressivamente maior na área com aplicação de biofertilizante, seja em plantas sadias, assintomáticas ou sintomáticas. A aplicação de biofertilizante é capaz de aumentar a comunidade bacteriana epifítica em citros.

Beans are one of the most important foods for the majority of the world's population, and Brazil is the third largest producer. This production can be affected by pests and diseases, such as gray stem rot, caused by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, which is difficult to control due to the low efficiency of chemical products. One of the viable alternatives is the use of microorganisms and/or secondary metabolites to control the pathogen and promote plant growth. The objective of this work was to test the antagonistic action of the filtrate of cave bacteria against M. phaseolina and promote the growth of common bean. To determine the period of infection of the phytopathogen, a severity test was carried out, and subsequently the filtrate of cave bacteria, identified as IS22, was applied at different times of inoculation of the phytopathogen in the bean plant BRS Esteio. Plant height, fresh and dry weight of shoots, root length, fresh and dry weight of roots were evaluated. The fungus did not manifest symptoms in the plant, but in relation to the growth promotion of the common bean, the filtrate provided a significant increase in the analyzed variables from the V3 stage. It is concluded that the tested filtrate is a promising biostimulant for the market.