Selenium (Se) is considered a beneficial element for plants; however, in high concentrations, it causes negative effects on plant physiology and development. This study reports the first physiological, nutritional, and ultrastructural description of Se toxicity in cowpea growing under field conditions. Selenium was supplied as a foliar application of sodium selenite at varying concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1200, and 1600 g ha −1). An increased yield was observed with the application of 50 g ha −1 Se. Application of concentrations higher than 50 g ha −1 caused leaf toxicity. Increased lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide concentration and reduced total sugars, sucrose, and carotenoid concentration were observed at highest doses tested (1200 and 1600 g ha −1). Applications of more than 50 g ha −1 Se reduced the phloem diameter, caused chlorosis of the leaf blade with a coalescence of lesions, and caused pink salt deposits to appear. Lesions were observed mainly near the trichomes on the adaxial surface of the leaf blade. An analysis of the element distribution with microprobe Xray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF) revealed accumulation of Se, calcium (Ca), potassium (K), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) near the primary vein and in the necrotic brown areas of the leaf lesions. In contrast, Na was homogeneously distributed in the leaf tissue.

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The fuzzy logic accepts infinite intermediate logical values between false and true. In view of this principle, a system based on fuzzy rules was established to provide the best management of Catasetum fimbriatum. For the input of the developed fuzzy system, temperature and shade variables were used, and for the output, the orchid vitality. The system may help orchid experts and amateurs to manage this species. "Low" (L), "Medium" (M) and "High" (H) were used as linguistic variables. The objective of the study was to develop a system based on fuzzy rules to improve management of the Catasetum fimbriatum species, as its production presents some difficulties, and it offers high added value. RESUMOA lógica fuzzy admite infinitos valores lógicos intermediários entre o falso e o verdadeiro. Com esse princípio, foi elaborado neste trabalho um sistema baseado em regras fuzzy, que indica a melhor forma de manejar a espécie Catasetum fimbriatum. O sistema fuzzy desenvolvido teve como entradas as variáveis temperatura e sombreamento, e a saída à vitalidade das orquídeas, que poderá auxiliar os orquidófilos no manejo da espécie, e foram utilizadas as variáveis linguísticas "Baixo" (B), "Médio" (M) e "Alto" (A). O objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver um sistema baseado em regras fuzzy para auxiliar no manejo da espécie Catasetum fimbriatum, pois se trata de uma espécie de difícil cultivo e de alto valor agregado.Palavras-chave: Manejo, cultivar, habitat e sistemas Fuzzy

The fuzzy logic admits infinite intermediate logical values between false and true. With this principle, it developed in this study a system based on fuzzy rules, which indicates the body mass index of ruminant animals in order to obtain the best time to slaughter. The controller developed has as input the variables weight and height, and as output a new body mass index, called Fuzzy Body Mass Index (Fuzzy BMI), which may serve as a detection system at the time of livestock slaughtering, comparing one another by the linguistic variables "Very Low", "Low", "Average ", "High" and "Very High". For demonstrating the use application of this fuzzy system, an analysis was made with 147 Nellore beeves to determine Fuzzy BMI values for each animal and indicate the location of body mass of any herd. The performance validation of the system was based on a statistical analysis using the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.923, representing a high positive correlation, indicating that the proposed method is appropriate. Thus, this method allows the evaluation of the herd comparing each animal within the group, thus providing a quantitative method of farmer decision. It was concluded that this study established a computational method based on fuzzy logic that mimics part of human reasoning and interprets the body mass index of any bovine species and in any region of the country.