Soil microorganisms play an important role on plant development and the homogenization of soil microbiomes is harmful to agri-environments. It is essential that agricultural practices are carried out by taking soil microbiome preservation in consideration. Agroforestry systems are one of the most environmentally friendly agrosystems and its plant diversity directly influences the soil microbiome diversity. In this study, we tested the efficacy of the microbial consortium (MC) obtained from compost and the cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis (Ap) compared with the application of the vermicompost tea (VT) and bokashi (Bk) in arugula, lettuce, beetroot, and carrot in two seasons in a recently implemented agroforestry system. We aimed to verify if MC and Ap could be new promising sustainable alternatives in vegetables production. The strategy can be broken down into three stages: (1) Green manure management: planting, cutting, griding, and incorporation in the soil, (2) agroforestry system implementation, and (3) treatment application in a completely randomized blocks design. The vegetables yield was measured. Nutritional traits and the plant root system were evaluated for arugula and lettuce. Greater plant yield, nutritional values, and plant root development were observed in the MC-treated plants; Ap and Bk had, in general, similar results. Our data show that both MC and Ap have potential to become a sustainable product for agricultural production.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a capacidade da inoculação com consórcio microbiano de promover o crescimento de rúcula, cenoura e rabanete. As sementes das hortaliças foram semeadas diretamente no canteiro e banhadas com inoculante microbiano ou com água destilada (controle). Amostras inoculadas tiveram um aumento no comprimento da raiz e da parte aérea, na largura e no número de folhas e na massa total fresca. Os resultados demostraram que o uso de inoculantes melhora o crescimento de rúcula, cenoura e rabanete, sendo uma alternativa sustentável na produção de hortaliças.

RESUMO A compostagem da fração orgânica dos resíduos sólidos urbanos é um dos tratamentos entendidos como adequado no Brasil, mas cuja adoção é insignificante. A busca por soluções que viabilizem o uso do processo como agente de reintegração da matéria orgânica no ciclo produtivo é o norteador deste trabalho, que teve como objetivo realizar uma avaliação exploratória das consequências, para o processo de compostagem e seus produtos, da adição de inoculante com microrganismos aclimatados. O experimento foi realizado com o uso de resíduos orgânicos e folhas que foram compostados em dois reatores com aeração ativa, sem revolvimento e um deles recebeu o acréscimo de inoculante aclimatado na região do estudo. Foram avaliadas as características físico-químicas e microbianas dos resíduos, monitorados os parâmetros pH e temperatura durante a compostagem e avaliada a qualidade dos materiais resultantes. Os resultados evidenciaram que o uso de inoculante aclimatado garantiu maior eficiência na transformação química do material orgânico, favoreceu a germinação e o crescimento de sementes com o uso de chorume diluído e produziu composto com maiores aptidões para o condicionamento de solos. A partir do monitoramento em tempo real da temperatura, também foi possível constatar que a aeração em batelada pode exercer influência negativa sobre a comunidade microbiana durante o processo de compostagem. A continuidade dos estudos de compostagem com o uso de inoculantes aclimatados é recomendada, uma vez que pode contribuir positivamente para a agregação de macronutriente e comunidade microbiana nas áreas de aplicação do composto e do chorume.

Bacterial nanocellulose derived from kombucha exhibits remarkable physicochemical properties, but its high hydrophilicity limits its application in water-resistant materials. This study investigated the surface modification of nanocellulose using amorphous carbon and silicon-based thin films via low-pressure plasma treatment to induce hydrophobicity. Samples were exposed to plasma for 30, 60, and 90 minutes and analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy, macroscopic observations, and wettability tests. The results showed progressive surface darkening, the appearance of iridescent regions and attenuation of the O–H (∼3300 cm−1) and C–H (∼2900 cm−1) bands, indicating removal of polar groups, dehydration and partial degradation of the cellulose matrix. The emergence of a (∼1720 cm−1) C=O band and changes in the (1050–1000 cm-1) range suggest surface oxidation and silicon deposition from degraded sealing silicone. Statistical analysis revealed a correlation between plasma exposure time and chemical modifications, albeit without formal statistical significance. It is concluded that plasma treatment is an effective, accessible, and sustainable strategy to functionalize nanocellulose surfaces, imparting hydrophobic properties and enhancing its potential for use in advanced technological applications.

Soil microorganisms plays an important role on plant development and the homogenization of soil microbiome is agri-environmental harmful. It is essential that agricultural practices are carried out taking soil microbiome preservation in consideration. Agroforestry systems are one of the most environmentally friendly agrosystems and its plant diversity influence directly the soil microbiome diversity. In addition, many technologies have been developed and used by applying inoculants in agriculture. However, most of the inoculants are developed with only one or a little number of microbial species to supply a specific plant nutritional demand. In this study we tested the efficacy of the microbial consortium (MC) obtained from compost and the cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis (AP) comparing with the application of the vermicompost tea (VT) and bokashi (BK) in arugula, lettuce, beetroot, and carrot in an agroforestry system in two seasons. Soil changes on chemical properties and β-glucosidase and arylsulfatase were measured over time. The vegetables yield was measured and for arugula and lettuce the nutritional traits and plant root system were also evaluated. Greater plant yield, nutritional values, and plant root development was observed in the CM treated plants, AP and BK had similar results. Our results show that both CM and AP have potential to become a sustainable product for agricultural production