The microbiota associated with coffee plants may play a critical role in the final expression of coffee quality. However, the microbial diversity in coffee cherries is still poorly characterized. Here, we investigated the endophytic diversity in cherries of Coffea arabica by using culture-independent approaches to identify the associated microbes, ultimately to better understand their ecology and potential role in determining coffee quality. Group-specific 16S rRNA and 26S rRNA genes polymerase chain reaction – denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and clone library sequencing showed that the endophytic community is composed of members of the 3 domains of life. Bacterial sequences showing high similarity with cultured and uncultured bacteria belonged to the Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Firmicutes phyla. Phylogenetic analyses of cloned sequences from Firmicutes revealed that most sequences fell into 3 major genera: Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Paenibacillus. Archaeal sequences revealed the presence of operational taxonomic units belonging to Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota phyla. Sequences from endophytic yeast were not recovered, but various distinct sequences showing high identity with filamentous fungi were found. There was no obvious correlation between the microbial composition and cultivar or geographic location of the coffee plant. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating internal tissue colonization of plant fruits by members of the Archaea domain. The finding of archaeal small-subunit rRNA in coffee cherries, although not sufficient to indicate their role as active endophytes, certainly expands our perspectives toward considering members of this domain as potential endophytic microbes.

Filter cake has been one of the most widely used waste products as a source of organic matter in the production of biofertilizers. However, sanitized sewage sludge is a recommended alternative for agricultural use because of environmental issues. Studies that examine the use of this particular class of fertilizer are needed. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of sewage sludge and filter cake as sources of organic matter in the composition of pelletized biofertilizers for soybean production. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 2 x 4 + 2 factorial, which includes two sources of organic matter (sanitized sewage sludge and filter cake) and four levels of nitrogen (50, 75, 100, and 125%) relative to the recommended dose of phosphorus pentoxide compared with the mineral fertilizer. The use of organomineral fertilizer with the formulation of 75% sewage sludge showed greater growth for aerial plant parts. Biofertilizers formulated with sewage sludge and filter cake can replace mineral fertilizer and increase soybean growth. Quantitative changes in peroxidase, catalase and urease activity, as well as lipid peroxidation, were observed following the use of biofertilizers.

Coffee (Coffea arábica L.) is a fundamental agricultural commodity in the Brazilian economy, demanding a high amount of nutrients for good vegetative development and productivity. The tested hypothesis was that the use of the organomineral fertilizer promotes coffee production and development due to the greater availability of N, P, and K in the soil. The objective of this study was: (i) to monitor the use efficiency of the organomineral fertilizer rates; (ii) to determine the coffee production and development with the organomineral application. A study was developed with applications of four organomineral rates (75%, 100%, 125%, and 150% of the recommended P2O5 rate), three forms of parceling (one, two, and three applications of the organomineral fertilizer), and one control (100% mineral). Yield, soil, leaves, and plant development were monitored. Results showed that organomineral presented a win-win scenario with adequate disposal of residues and sources of nutrients in agriculture promoting the coffee yield from 49.5 (mineral fertilizers) to 53.5 sc ha-1 (100% of P2O5 in organomineral). The plant height, the diameter of the stem, and the canopy presented a quadratic response to organomineral rates with optimal rates fitted at 127; 140; and 140 %, respectively, but there was no direct effect on yield. The split organomineral applications promoted the contents of P and K in the soil, mainly when associated with higher organomineral rates. The K efficiency use was increased with organomineral application indicating the K was used with more efficiency. Key words: Fertilization; vegetative development; fertilizers; nutrients.

The term sustainability is important for the comprehension of how Environmental Education and practices of Permaculture can be used as tools of education. Permaculture is characterized as a system for planning and creation, in a harmonic manner, of productive, sustainable and ecologic environments. The goal of this paper is to evaluate permaculture’s practices efficiency as a tool of environmental education and mechanism of integration between the human being and the environment. The project was developed in a school of municipal education system located in the rural part of Ituiutaba, State of Minas Gerais, involving 40 people directly. Students and staff participated taking to school plants that are part of their everyday life, in other words, that have cultural value for their community. The integration between students, staff and the remaining residents was noticed mainly when everyone got involved in developing the vegetable garden, showing the aggregating potential through joint actions that such activities allow. The unity and estimation of one’s own living place bring the feeling of belonging and the improvement of ambiance, important aspects for the improvement of people’s, that live far from urban centers, life quality.