-Considering the potential and importance of biodiversity of the Caatinga biome, studies on endemic species are relevant to conservation of its natural resources. The objectives of this work was to evaluate seed viability and physical methods for overcoming seed dormancy in juazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro Mart.) and assess the influence of different types of soil on the initial growth of juazeiro plants. The experiments were conducted in three stages. In the first stage, the viability of seeds from different lots was evaluated using the tetrazolium test. The second stage was conducted in a plant nursery, evaluating the application of physical processes (scarification with sandpaper and hammer) in overcoming seed dormancy, and the initial growth of the plants. In the third step, the chlorophyll a and b contents, gas exchange and dry matter accumulation were evaluated in young juazeiro plants in three types of soil (Oxisol, Entisol and Vertisol). The results indicate that the viability of juazeiro seeds is greatly influenced by differences between the progenitor plants and by storage conditions, which enable a longevity of two years when stored at 22°C and 16% of relative humidity. The scarification methods with sandpaper and hammer are not efficient to reduce the time and uniform seed germination. The juazeiro plants have high growth potential in different edaphic environments, adapting well to soils of different textures and chemical compositions.Keywords: Juazeiro. Emergence. Gas exchange. Chlorophyll index. Soil. SUPERAÇÃO DE DORMÊNCIA EM SEMENTES E CRESCIMENTO INICIAL DEZiziphus joazeiro Mart. EM DIFERENTES SOLOS RESUMO -Considerando as potencialidades e importância da biodiversidade do bioma Caatinga, estudos sobre espécies endêmicas são relevantes para conservação de seus recursos naturais. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a viabilidade e a superação de dormência de sementes de juazeiro (Ziziphus joazeiro Mart.) e seu o crescimento inicial em diferentes tipos de solo. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em três etapas. Na primeira, avaliou-se a viabilidade de diferentes lotes de sementes, utilizando o teste de tetrazólio. A segunda etapa foi conduzida em viveiro, avaliando-se as aplicações de processos físicos, escarificação com lixa e com martelo, para superação da dormência das sementes e determinação do crescimento inicial das plantas. Na última etapa foram avaliados os índices de clorofila a e b, as trocas gasosas e o acúmulo de matéria seca em plantas jovens de juazeiro em três tipos de solo (Latossolo, Neossolo e Vertissolo). A partir dos resultados obtidos pode-se afirmar que a viabilidade das sementes de juazeiro é bastante influenciada pelas diferenças existentes entre plantas matrizes e pelas condições de armazenamento, apresentando longevidade de dois anos, quando armazenadas a 22 o C e 16% de umidade relativa. Os métodos de escarificação com lixa e martelo não são eficientes para reduzir o tempo e uniformizar a geminação das sementes. As plantas de juazeiro apresentam elevado potencial p...

This study proposes a fuzzy logic model capable of predicting the ocular temperature (OT) of beef cattle by means of infrared thermography. The goal of this study is to establish a methodology for making decisions related to animal welfare. The experiment was carried out at a commercial beef production farm, located in the south of Minas Gerais state, where twenty-eight Brahman cattle (Bos Taurus Indicus) raised in extensive production systems were evaluated. Thermal images of the entire head of the animal were collected in order to measure the ocular temperature (OT). Concurrently, the variables air dry bulb temperature (DBT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded. The fuzzy logic model was developed using the Mandani inference method, based on the input variables DBT and RH and the output variable OT, and using the experimental data as reference. The proposed fuzzy logic system allows the estimation of the ocular temperature of beef cattle with an error of 1.71% and a coefficient of determination R² of 0.8749. These values validate the proposed fuzzy logic system for helping to make decisions for better animal welfare.

Considering the challenges faced by poultry farming, this study aimed to develop a neurofuzzy model to predict eyeball and crest temperatures of egg-laying hens based on environmental conditions (dry bulb temperature and relative humidity). To develop the models and simulations, Matlab's Fuzzy Toolbox® (Anfisedit) was used. Different configurations were used for each of the several neuro-fuzzy models developed. Eyeball temperature (ET) and chicken crest temperature (CCT) were simulated from the developed neuro-fuzzy models, and the obtained results were validated with the variables collected experimentally with the aid of recorder sensors and an infrared thermographic camera. The proposed neuro-fuzzy models allow the accurate estimation of ET and CCT of two lineages of egg-laying hens raised in conventional aviaries, thus helping in decision-making for better animal welfare.

A B S T R A C TIncreases in room temperature may significantly influence the germination process of several plant species. It can directly interfere directly with physiological, biochemical and other activities, thus altering the maximum seed capacity to activate seedling emergence, as well as the morphological Plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature on germination of three varieties of corn. It was used three different maize varieties: BRS Assum black, BRS011, and BRS033 Asa Branca. The treatments consisted of three controlled temperature: 20°C and 40°C and 30°C. The variables analyzed were percentage of germination; germination speed index; mean germination time; germination frequency; height change and stem; stem diameter; number of leaves; chlorophyll a, b, overall; fresh and dry stem, leaf and root. The Tukey test was applied at 5%, in the variables when significant. The 30°C temperature range is ideal for germination and early development of corn seedlings. The varieties studied do not differ significantly for dry mass production, except the roots, as well as the biometric variables. There are no differences between varieties in the production of chlorophyll. The temperature of 30 proved that influences the increased production of chlorophyll A and total; stem and leaves dry weight as well as the biometric variables. Keywords: Emergence, seedling, variables, production. R E S U M OAumentos na temperatura ambiente podem influenciar de forma significativa o processo de germinação de diversas espécies vegetais. Podem interferir diretamente em atividades fisiológicas, bioquímicas entre outras, alterando desta forma a máxima capacidade das sementes em ativar a emergência das plântulas, bem como a formação morfológica das plantas. O objetivo desse estudo foi simular em câmaras de crescimento o efeito de diferentes temperaturas na germinação de três cultivares de milho: BRS Assum preto, BRS011 e BRS033 Asa Branca. O experimento foi implantado a partir da utilização dos tratamentos formados por três temperaturas controladas: 20º, 30º e 40ºC. As variáveis analisadas foram percentuais de germinação; índice de velocidade de germinação; tempo médio de

Although precooling by forced air is widely used to remove field heat from fresh table grapes, there is no knowledge about its use and efficiency. Factors influencing the process include temperature and relative air humidity, amount and initial temperature of the fruits, air velocity, and packaging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooling effect and efficiency of forced air cooling on table grapes in two types of packages. The experimental method used randomized blocks, in a 2 × 3 factorials, corresponding to two package types (polystyrene and cardboard) and three heights on the pallet - lower, middle, and upper - with four replicates. The temperature gradient in the direction of the airflow was evaluated. There was heterogeneity in cooling, both vertically and horizontally, on the pallets with a central heat zone for both the directions. None of the packages was suitable for fast cooling as both types of packages showed a cooling time of 15.5 h; moreover, relative humidity values were far below the ideal value for table grapes.