The objective of this paper was to evaluate the quality of water drained after the use of the knife-roller (an implement used to incorporate rice residues after harvest), the partial global warming potential (pGWP) and straw decomposition as a result of postharvest field management of irrigated rice. The experiments were conducted during the 2018 and 2019 offseason and the treatments consisted of several water drainage periods (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days) after a field pass with a knife-roller. In addition, a nonflooded harvest treatment without straw management was included. Analysis of drainage water three days after a pass with the kniferoller showed a reduction in total soluble solids by 94% compared to zero days. Nitrogen and soluble phosphorus were not influenced by the treatments. However, potassium levels increased as the drainage period increased, which is related to the period between harvest and drainage. As the electrical conductivity is influenced by the concentration of ions, it showed the same response curve as the potassium levels and, for pH, there were small oscillations influenced by the temperature. The total CH4 emission and the pGWP were higher when the water depth remained for a longer period. However, the N2O emissions were higher in the absence of soil submersion. Water should be drained three days after a pass with the knife-roller in order to reduce potassium loss and suspended solids as well as pGWP. The use of the knife-roller accelerated the process of straw decomposition in relation to the unmanaged straw treatment.

The present study assessed soil preparation in terms of the advantages it provides in lowering the physical obstacles and their influence on soybean cultivation, with reference to its establishment, development and yield, apart from quantification of the energy demand for tractor performance. The experiments were performed in the field adopting the randomized block design with a two-factor scheme (6x2). Factor A included a variety of soil preparations performed during the off-season of the soybean crop. Sowing was accomplished using the same fertilizer deposition mechanism only, and the areas having no soil preparation done were sown using various other fertilizer deposition mechanisms from the seeder, namely: (A1) sowing without soil preparation (SSPS)+double disc in the seeder (DD); (A2) SSPS+turbo disc (DT); (A3) SSPS+furrowing rod (HS); (A4) plow harrow+DD; (A5) scarified+DD and (A6) subsoiled+DD. Soil preparations before sowing were done on days 52 and 98 days, respectively, during the first and second harvests. Factor B included two soybean cultivars, namely: (B1) Nidera 6601 and (B2) Brasmax Valente. No interaction was observed between the factors investigated. While the scarification+DD showed the need for higher fuel consumption, the results were increased productivity. For the seeder-linked mechanisms, the HS gives more extensive root development of the plants and grain yield. On the contrary, while DD and DT show the combination of the highest operational capacity and lower fuel usage, this is related to lower grain yield.

Several studies investigate the use of bioactive compounds, especially those derived from the olive leaf, highlighted by its richness in these components. The extraction of these compounds generally uses conventional techniques, but there is a search for more economical and sustainable alternatives. The olive leaf is recognized for its high antioxidant capacity; however, factors such as temperature, pH, light and oxygen can compromise the bioactive extracts. Microencapsulation appears as a solution, offering conservation and controlled release of compounds. This technique, notable for its easy handling, economic viability and ability to delay degradation, is fundamental to preserving the effectiveness of the extracts. The article aimed to review research on the extraction of bioactive compounds from olive leaves using innovative technologies, in addition to elucidating important aspects on the use of spray-drying microencapsulation technology for the protection and controlled release of these compounds.

This study investigated the cecal distribution of lipophilic pigments (carotenoids and chlorophylls) from Scenedesmus obliquus and their effects on the activity of the intestinal microbiota in rats. Oleoresins containing different concentrations of microalgal pigments (from 0 to 600 µg·kg⁻¹bw·d⁻¹), previously characterized by chromatographic and spectrometric analyses, were administered for four weeks. At the end of the intervention, cecal content samples were collected and analyzed for their pigment composition, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and probiotic microbiota. Nine pigments were identified in the cecal samples, with all-trans-zeaxanthin and pheophytin being the most abundant in all groups. Furthermore, 15-cis-lutein, all-trans-β-cryptoxanthin, and 9-cis-β-carotene—found exclusively in microalgal oleoresin—were detected only in animals receiving doses above 300 µg·kg⁻¹bw.day⁻¹, indicating a link with the SCFA modulation. These supplementations significantly increased the levels of acetate (300 and 450 µg·kg⁻¹bw·d⁻¹ −13% and 14%), butyrate (300 µg kg⁻¹bw·d⁻¹ −19%), and propionate (600 µg·kg⁻¹bw·d⁻¹ −16%). Notably, 300 µg·kg⁻¹bw·d⁻¹ significantly increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus populations. Overall, the pigment supplementation positively influenced the gut microbiota composition and SCFA production in a dose-dependent manner, particularly at 300 µg·kg⁻¹bw·d⁻¹. These results support the potential application of microalgal pigments as functional food ingredients or supplements with gut health benefits.

O arroz é um dos alimentos mais importantes para a nutrição humana. O estudo de diferentes manejos da irrigação e de cultivares é de grande importância devido servir de alternativa para aumento de produtividade e qualidade de grãos sem aumento de área plantada e do consumo de água. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os componentes de rendimento e qualidade de grãos de cultivares de arroz submetidas aos manejos de irrigação permanente e irrigação intermitente. O experimento foi conduzido na área experimental de várzea do Departamento de Fitotecnia na Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial (2x4), referente ao manejo da água e cultivares de arroz, com quatro repetições. O manejo da água foi através de irrigação permanente e irrigação intermitente e quatro cultivares de arroz. Foram avaliados: número de grãos por panícula, esterilidade de espiguetas, massa de mil grãos, panículas por m2, rendimento de beneficiamento, grãos inteiros, área gessada, grãos gessados e grãos barriga branca. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade, com o programa SISVAR. Há diferença para os componentes de rendimentos e na qualidade de grãos em função das cultivares utilizadas. O manejo da irrigação influenciou nos componentes de rendimento e qualidade de grãos apenas no número de grãos por panícula e no rendimento de beneficiamento na safra 2016/2017 e nas variáveis massa de mil grãos e porcentagem de grãos inteiro na safra 2017/2018.