Geovergue Rodrigues de Medeiros’s research while affiliated with Instituto Nacional do Semiárido and other places

Esta obra é fruto de um esforço colaborativo que reuniu professores, estudantes e pesquisadores cujo envolvimento enriqueceu significativamente as discussões neste espaço formativo. Além disso, resulta de iniciativas interinstitucionais e ações voltadas ao incentivo à pesquisa, congregando especialistas de diversas áreas do conhecimento, vinculados a Instituições de Educação Superior, públicas e privadas, em âmbito nacional e internacional. Seu principal objetivo é fortalecer a integração entre instituições, tanto no Brasil quanto no exterior, por meio de redes de pesquisa comprometidas com a formação continuada de profissionais da educação. Para isso, busca-se a produção e a ampla disseminação do conhecimento em distintas áreas do saber. Expressamos nossa profunda gratidão aos autores pelo empenho, comprometimento e dedicação na concepção e finalização desta obra. Esperamos que ela se consolide como um recurso didático-pedagógico valioso, atendendo às necessidades de estudantes, docentes de todos os níveis de ensino e demais interessados na temática.

Different types of supplied roughage may cause losses in the chemical composition and digestibility of gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium [Jacq.] Kunth ex Walp.) depending on their making and fed-out management. This study has summarized data from scientific studies on gliricidia and compared its nutritional value in various fed forms using a systematic review approach and principal component analysis (PCA). A robust survey of scientific papers was realized on web indexes of periodicals and databases from 1990 to 2023. Data from 100 scientific researches has been compiled and analyzed. In 40% of the trials, the gliricidia nutritional value was determined as fresh leaves, while 30% was in the form of ‘leaves + thin stems’. Gliricidia was evaluated as silage in 11% of the opportunities, followed by 10% as leaf meal and 9% as hay. Non-fiber carbohydrates, crude protein (CP), and organic matter digestibility (OM) had negative correlations with neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin. Only NDF, ADF, and CP contents could explain 71% of the total data variation (PC1 and PC2). There was no discrimination among fed forms, so they showed similar nutrient compositions. Eventual nutrient losses reported in the scientific researches owing to ensilage, haymaking, and leaf meal-making processes do not mischaracterize the gliricidia nutritional value. The assorted manners of roughage making, and fed-out management traditionally performed by farmers can conserve the excellent nutritional quality of gliricidia.

Ensiling maniçoba (Manihot pseudoglaziovii) is essential to preserve the nutrients of this forage plant. However, the plant moisture content may generate undesirable fermentations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different cornmeal inclusion levels (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) on the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of maniçoba silage, in addition to identifying the variables most affected by cornmeal. The concentrations of dry matter (DM), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and propionic acid increased with cornmeal inclusion levels (P < 0.05). Crude protein (CP), lignin, and butyric acid contents, as well as pH, were reduced by the additive (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis resulted in two main groups. Group I was formed by variables positively affected by cornmeal inclusion, namely DM, hemicellulose, NFC, and TDN. Group II contained variables that were negatively affected by cornmeal, namely CP, lignin, mineral matter, and butyric acid. Regardless of the addition of cornmeal, maniçoba silage displays an adequate chemical composition and a good fermentation profile for ruminant feeding. Dry matter and total digestible nutrients are the chemical variables most influenced by cornmeal inclusion, whereas pH and butyric acid are the fermentative parameters most affected by the moisture-absorbent additive. Including moderate levels of cornmeal in maniçoba silage is recommended to achieve the best fermentation profile and the highest concentration of digestible nutrients without mischaracterizing it as a roughage feed.

Resumo A ensilagem da maniçoba (Manihot pseudoglaziovii) é importante para preservar os nutrientes dessa planta forrageira. Todavia, o teor de umidade da planta pode gerar fermentações indesejáveis. Objetivou-se avaliar efeito de níveis de fubá de milho (0, 10, 20 e 30%) sobre a composição bromatológica e parâmetros fermentativos da silagem de maniçoba, além de identificar as variáveis mais afetada pelo aditivo. As concentrações de matéria seca (MS), carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e ácido propiônico aumentaram em função dos níveis de fubá de milho (P<0,05). Os teores de proteína bruta (PB), lignina e ácido butírico, além do pH, foram reduzidos pelo aditivo (P<0,05). Dois grupos foram formados na análise de componentes principais. O grupo I foi formado por variáveis afetadas positivamente pela inclusão do fubá de milho: MS, hemicelulose, CNF e NDT. O grupo II foi formado por variáveis que tiveram seus valores reduzidos pela inclusão do aditivo: PB, lignina, matéria mineral e ácido butírico. A silagem de maniçoba, com ou sem fubá de milho, apresenta bom perfil fermentativo e composição bromatológica adequada para a alimentação de ruminantes. Os teores de MS e NDT são as variáveis da composição químico-bromatológica mais influenciadas pela inclusão do fubá de milho, enquanto pH e ácido butírico são as variáveis do perfil fermentativo mais afeadas pelo aditivo absorvente. Sugere-se a inclusão de níveis moderados de fubá na silagem de maniçoba para obter melhor perfil de fermentação e a maior concentração de nutrientes digestíveis, sem descaracterizar o alimento como volumoso.

This study aimed to assess the impact of adding forage cactus as an additive to the production of corn silage without the cob on the performance of feedlot sheep and subsequent silage losses. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of three treatments: corn silage without cob; 0% = 100% corn plant without the cob; 10% = 90% corn plant without cob + 10% forage cactus; 20% = 80% corn plant without cob + 20% forage cactus. Significant effects were observed for dry matter intake (P = 0.0201), organic matter (P = 0.0152), ether extract (P = 0.0001), non-fiber carbohydrates (P = 0.0007). Notably, nutrient digestibility showed significant differences in organic matter (P = 0.0187), ether extract (P = 0.0095), neutral detergent fiber (P = 0.0005), non-fiber carbohydrates (P = 0.0001), and metabolizable energy (P = 0.0001). Performance variables, including total weight gain (P = 0.0148), average daily weight gain (P = 0.0148), feeding efficiency, and rumination efficiency of dry matter (P = 0.0113), also exhibited significant effects. Consequently, it is recommended to include 20% forage cactus in corn silage, which, based on natural matter, helps meet animals’ water needs through feed. This inclusion is especially vital in semi-arid regions and aids in reducing silage losses during post-opening silo disposal.

Zootechnical data is a big challenge in the extensive rearing system of Brazilian locally adapted breeds once smallholdings with limited resources and funds rear them. So, information on Brazil's breeding system of locally adapted breeds is still scarce; this situation is more challenging for equine breeds. The present study aimed to describe the local rearing systems and the phenotypic profile of the Nordestino horse breed in Paraíba state and contribute to breed conservation. Data from males (entire and castrated) and females from 50 municipalities in Paraíba state were used. Two hundred sixty-nine animals (111 females, 121 castrated males, and 37 entire males) from 129 breeders were analyzed. A questionnaire consisting of direct and objective questions was applied to understand the breeding system adopted. There was a predominance of the extensive breeding system (85%), which reflects the adaptation of the Nordestino Horse to the region's natural conditions. The lower frequency of use of cultivated pastures may be related to issues of economic viability since the maintenance of cultivated pastures may require additional investments compared to the use of natural pastures. Entire males had a minimum withers height (WH) of 135 cm. Of the 11 morphometric measurements, only five were considered discriminating by the stepwise analysis. The remaining Nordestino horses have morphological characteristics within the breed standard.

Characterization studies must be prioritized to allow the maintenance of the racial standard to guarantee the conservation of their genes of origin. The Nordestina breed is a small animal, not exceeding 150 cm for males and 145 cm for females, with a body weight of approximately 280 kg in both sexes. The objective of this research was to compare the conventional method and the imaging method (ImageJ® software) in the performance of morphometric measurements of horses of the Nordestina breed. The morphometric measurements performed were withers height (WH), croup height (CH), body length (BL), neck length (NL), side height (SH), pelvic girdle height (PGH), shin perimeter (SP), chest circumference (CC), face length (FL) and face width (FW). Head length (P=0.045), head width (P=0.001), and shin perimeter (P<.0001) showed a significant difference between the two methods evaluated, these measurements presented higher values when performed by image, but did not present a coefficient of variation greater than 8%. The total canonical correlation between the sets of variables X and Y were 0.99, and the first pair of canonical variables absorbed 85% of the total variation, whose Wilk's and F test (P<0.001) were significant for all canonical pairs, which indicates a strong correlation between the measurements obtained by the conventional method and by imaging. The evaluation of photographs by the ImageJ® software proved to be a viable alternative to the conventional method of taking morphometric measurements in horses of the Nordestina breed.

Objetivou-se com essa pesquisa avaliar a influência de diferentes substratos orgânicos sobre aspectos agronômicos e químico-bromatológicos de pornunça (Manihot esculenta × Manihot pseudoglaziovii) durante seu desenvolvimento via produção de mudas. Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamento e seis repetições (parcelas compostas por cinco estacas). Os tratamentos incluíram: testemunha (sem fertilização); esterco bovino; esterco caprino; e cama de frango. Foram avaliados o percentual de estacas enraizadas, número de raízes, número de brotações, diâmetro e comprimento de brotações, número de folhas, produção de matéria seca dos brotos e das raízes, além da composição químico-bromatológica de folhas e raízes. A cama de frango destacou-se e proporcionou melhores respostas ao número de folhas (6,03), comprimento (35,93 cm), largura (31,53 cm) e diâmetro dos brotos (5,12 cm), além de proteína bruta das raízes (122,8 g/kg MS). Com base nos resultados obtidos, recomenda-se a produção de mudas de pornunça com uso de esterco de frango como substrato.