Sugarcane (Saccharum X officinarum): A Reference Study for the Regulation of Genetically Modified Cultivars in Brazil

Global interest in sugarcane has increased significantly in recent years due to its economic impact on sustainable energy production. Sugarcane breeding and better agronomic practices have contributed to a huge increase in sugarcane yield in the last 30 years. Additional increases in sugarcane yield are expected to result from the use of biotechnology tools in the near future. Genetically modified (GM) sugarcane that incorporates genes to increase resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses could play a major role in achieving this goal. However, to bring GM sugarcane to the market, it is necessary to follow a regulatory process that will evaluate the environmental and health impacts of this crop. The regulatory review process is usually accomplished through a comparison of the biology and composition of the GM cultivar and a non-GM counterpart. This review intends to provide information on non-GM sugarcane biology, genetics, breeding, agronomic management, processing, products and byproducts, as well as the current technologies used to develop GM sugarcane, with the aim of assisting regulators in the decision-making process regarding the commercial release of GM sugarcane cultivars

Occurrence and distribution of triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in municipalities of the Northeastern region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Grupo de Extensão e Pesquisa em Saúde Coletiva Jequi. Diamantina, MG, Brazil.Prefeitura de Diamantina. Superintendência Regional de Saúde de Diamantina. Diamantina, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Grupo de Extensão e Pesquisa em Saúde Coletiva Jequi. Diamantina, MG, Brazil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou. Laboratório de Triatomíneos e Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.INTRODUCTION: Triatomines are targeted for the control of Chagas disease in endemic areas of Brazil. METHODS: Data regarding triatomines captured during 2001-2008 in 34 municipalities in the Northeast of Minas Gerais were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 11,187 triatomines from eight species were captured, mostly in henhouses and bedrooms. Trypanosomes were found in 203 samples. Main species were Triatoma sordida, Panstrongylus megistus, and Triatoma vitticeps. The number of P. megistus adults was positively correlated with temperature and precipitation, whereas the number of nymphs followed the inverse pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence of triatomines in domiciles indicates the need for sustained entomological surveillance

Desenvolvimento e produtividade do tomateiro sob diferentes freqüências de irrigação em estufa Tomato development and yield under different irrigation frequencies in greenhouse

O crescimento de plantas em substrato em cultivo protegido requer conhecimento técnico apropriado para uso racional e eficientede água e de nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de seis freqüências de irrigação no desenvolvimento e na produção do tomateiro cultivado em ambiente protegido. O experimento foi conduzido em Campinas, de novembro de 2003 a abril de 2004. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em seis freqüências de irrigação: cinco, quatro, três, duas, uma vez por dia e irrigação em dias alternados. A irrigação foi aplicada por gotejamento. O substrato utilizado foi o composto de fibra de coco. As freqüências de irrigação de uma, três, quatro e cinco vezes por dia resultaram nas maiores produções de frutos comerciáveis de tomateiro. O maior número e peso médio dos frutos foram obtidos nos tratamentos com freqüência de irrigação de uma, duas, três, quatro e cinco vezes por dia. As freqüências de irrigação de uma vez por dia e em dias alternados proporcionaram maior número de frutos não comerciáveis (fundo preto).<br>Plant cultivation in substrate under greenhouse conditions needs technical knowledge to promote water and nutrient use efficiency. In this work were evaluated the tomato development and yield under different irrigation frequencies cultivated in greenhouse. The experiment was carried out in Campinas, São Paulo State, Brazil, from November, 2003 to April, 2004. The experimental design consisted of six treatments in randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments consisted of the irrigation frequencies: five, four, three, two and one times a day and irrigation on alternating days. The irrigation was applied by drip irrigation system. The substrate consisted of coconut fiber. The one, three, four and five times a day irrigation frequency provided better total marketable tomato yield. The greater number of fruits and average weight of fruit were obtained under the one, two, three, four and five times a day irrigation frequencies. The irrigation frequency once a day and alternating days provided greater number of no marketable fruits