Evapotranspiração E Coeficiente De Cultura Da Alstroemeria (alstroemeria × Hybrida) Cultivada Em Estufa

The determination of water requirements of a crop throughout its cycle is critical for a proper irrigation management. The objective of this study was to determine the evapotranspiration and crop coefficient (Kc) of Alstroemeria × hybrida grown under greenhouse conditions. The crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was determined by weighing lysimeters, and the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated by the Penman-Monteith method. The Experiment was conducted under controlled conditions at the Polytechnic College of UFSM, Santa Maria, RS, and the treatment comprised five depths for water replacement associated to the pot retention capacity (WHC) (30, 45, 60, 75 and 90% of WHC). The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, with ten repetitions, one plant per pot. For the evaluation of Kc, 90% of the container capacity was consideredas limit. The crop coefficient was obtained by the relationship between the crop evapotranspiration and reference evapotranspiration. Our results demonstrated that water consumption for Alstroemeria × hybrida in the treatments with a limit of water availability varied from 47.6 mm to 207.8 mm. The average crop coefficient of Alstroemeria × hybrida grown under greenhouse conditions was 0.39 for the growth stages, 0.41 for the beginning of flowering, 0.95 for flowering, and1.50 and 0.75 for full flowering and for the end of the flowering, respectively. © 2016, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP. All rights reserved.21481782

Design and characterization of a versatile and high sensitive differential electromagnetic sensor

AbstractIn this paper it is shown the design and characterization of a differential electromagnetic sensor. In absence of the sample the output signal of the sensor is null. There will only be an output signal in the presence of a magnetic material or a conductive sample in which eddy currents are generated, producing an external magnetic field. This working principle is non invasive and improves greatly the possibilities for signal conditioning. The sensor has been tested with a copper sample and for detection of variations in the blood glucose concentration, showing high sensitivity and potentialities for other applications

Furthering knowledge of seaweed growth and development to facilitate sustainable aquaculture

Macroalgae (seaweeds) are the subject of increasing interest for their potential as a source of valuable, sustainable biomass in the food, feed, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Compared with microalgae, the pace of knowledge acquisition in seaweeds is slower despite the availability of whole-genome sequences and model organisms for the major seaweed groups. This is partly a consequence of specific hurdles related to the large size of these organisms and their slow growth. As a result, this basic scientific field is falling behind, despite the societal and economic importance of these organisms. Here, we argue that sustainable management of seaweed aquaculture requires fundamental understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms controlling macroalgal life cycles – from the production of germ cells to the growth and fertility of the adult organisms – using diverse approaches requiring a broad range of technological tools. This Viewpoint highlights several examples of basic research on macroalgal developmental biology that could enable the step-changes which are required to adequately meet the demands of the aquaculture sector. © 2017 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trus