Objetivou-se, com o trabalho, quantificar o acúmulo de serapilheira, bem como os macronutrientes e o carbono orgânico na Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Submontana, localizada em Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES. A amostragem da serapilheira foi realizada em 12 parcelas (20 m x 50 m), sendo as mesmas distribuídas de forma sistemática no campo. Em cada uma das 12 parcelas, foram coletadas mensalmente 12 amostras de serapilheira acumulada, de forma aleatória, com o auxílio de um gabarito de metal de 0,25 m x 0,25 m. O estudo de acúmulo de serapilheira na floresta foi analisado segundo o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 12 tratamentos (meses do ano) e 12 repetições. O acúmulo de serapilheira mostrou-se sazonal, com maiores acúmulos, ocorrendo no final da estação seca e de menores temperaturas do ar (Dez/09, Jan/10, Set/10 e Out/10), contendo em média 5,5 Mg ha-1 de serapilheira acumulada. O Cálcio foi encontrado em maior teor e conteúdo, sendo o conteúdo médio de macronutrientes contidos na serapilheira de 293,59 kg ha-1.

Microorganisms are critical indicators of soil quality due to their essential role in maintaining ecosystem services. However, anthropogenic activities can disrupt the vital metabolic functions of these microorganisms. Considering that soil biology is often underestimated and traditional assessment methods do not capture its complexity, molecular methods can be used to assess soil health more effectively. This study aimed to identify the changes in soil microbial diversity and activity under different cocoa agroforestry systems, specially focusing on taxa and functions associated to carbon and nitrogen cycling. Soils from three different cocoa agroforestry systems, including a newly established agroforestry with green fertilization (GF), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis)–cocoa intercropping (RC), and cocoa plantations under Cabruca (cultivated under the shave of native forest) (CAB) were analyzed and compared using metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches. Samples from surrounding native forest and pasture were used in the comparison, representing natural and anthropomorphic ecosystems. Metagenomic analysis revealed a significant increase in Proteobacteria and Basidiomycota and the genes associated with dissimilatory nitrate reduction in the RC and CAB areas. The green fertilization area showed increased nitrogen cycling activity, demonstrating the success of the practice. In addition, metaproteomic analyses detected enzymes such as dehydrogenases in RC and native forest soils, indicating higher metabolic activity in these soils. These findings underscore the importance of soil management strategies to enhance soil productivity, diversity, and overall soil health. Molecular tools are useful to demonstrate how changes in agricultural practices directly influence the microbial community, affecting soil health.

Objetivou-se com o trabalho avaliar a influência do reflorestamento com essências nativas da Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, plantio de eucalipto e pastagem nos atributos químicos e físicos do solo de áreas degradadas. Foram selecionadas cinco áreas na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Aguapeí, na cidade de Garça, SP, sendo dois reflorestamentos com essências nativas, com 4 e 9 anos, um plantio de eucalipto, uma área de pastagem e um fragmento florestal utilizado como referência. O fragmento florestal apresentou a menor soma de bases e os maiores teores de P, C_org e CTC. Ele também apresentou a menor resistência à penetração, maior diâmetro e estabilidade dos agregados. Os atributos químicos e físicos do solo das áreas reflorestadas diferiram dos observados no fragmento florestal, mostrando que o período de recuperação não foi suficiente para restaurar esses atributos. Porém o reflorestamento com 9 anos melhorou significativamente nesses atributos do solo, tendendo a aproximar-se aos do fragmento florestal.

Selection of superior genotypes based on the simultaneous responses to different characteristics is a fundamental strategy in plant breeding. This study aimed to compare the efficiency of four selection index constructed using phenotypic and genotypic values in a segregating population of the cultivar Rubi Incaper 511. Eight morpho-agronomic variates and the severity of black-spot and phoma-spot were evaluated under field conditions. The classical selection index were calculated based on non-standardized phenotypic means (NSM), standardized means (SM), and genotypic values predicted by REML/BLUP (GVP), using predetermined economic weights. Additionally, the rank sum (RS) was obtained on the basis of the classification of individuals in these three selection index. For ten characteristics, the selected individuals showed a higher mean than did the original population. The best selection differential values were obtained by SM, however, the highest degree of coincidence among the selected individuals was obtained between GVP and RS (80%). The index used were efficient at selecting individuals with higher soluble solids and lower diseases severity evaluated. Therefore, for the papaya breeding programs, different selection index need to be evaluated to maximize genetic gain.

The evaluation of diversity and genetic structure allows us to verify with precision the effect of evolutionary and anthropic processes on species. The objective of this research was to evaluate the divergence and the genetic structure of two natural populations of Dalbergia nigra, using molecular markers Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR). Leaf samples were collected from two populations, located in the National Forest of Pacotuba and the Private Natural Heritage Reserve of Cafundó. Eight ISSR primers were used, which resulted in 97 bands, with 68.04% of polymorphism. Based on the joint data, the values of 0.33 for the Nei index (H*) and 0.50 for the Shannon index (I*) indicated moderate to high genetic diversity, being influenced by the presence of genetically dissimilar individuals in the National Forest of Pacotuba. Most of the genetic divergence was intrapopulational (85.96%), with moderate differentiation between populations (ΦST = 0.1404). The estimated historical gene flow between the fragments was low (Nm = 3.21) when compared with results from other tree species, and the genetic structuring analysis separated the populations into two groups, corresponding to the two populations evaluated. The results indicate a small genetic share among populations, however, populations are becoming structured. The satisfactory levels of genetic diversity benefit the use of the trees as matrixes for programs of restoration and recovery of degraded areas, connectivity of landscapes, and sustainable use of forest resources.