Browsing by Author "Pinto, Rui"
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- The composition and structure of bacterial and fungal communities in kiwifruit are influenced by photoselective netsPublication . Fernandes, Paulo; Cano-Díaz, Concha; Pinto, Rui; Mourão, Isabel; Brito, Luís Miguel; Moura, LuísaPhotoselective nets in agriculture are typically designed to modify the light spectrum, intensity, and microclimate around crops, influencing plant growth, productivity, and quality. However, knowledge regarding their impact on the microbiota of plants and fruits remains limited. This study assessed the impact of pearl, grey, and yellow photoselective nets on the microbial communities present on kiwifruit surfaces using amplicon high- throughput sequencing of ITS and 16S metagenomic DNA. Kiwifruit pathogens associated with postharvest rot, such as Alternaria, Didymella, and Cladosporium, were significantly more prevalent on kiwis grown without nets. Additionally, different net types influenced microbial diversity, richness, and network structure. Pearl nets promoted bacterial richness and fungal diversity, while yellow nets enhanced overall diversity and resilience in both microbial communities. Grey nets resulted in evenness in fungal communities but led to less robust bacterial networks. Kiwifruit yield increased under photoselective nets compared to outside. At harvest, fruit dry matter, f irmness, pH, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity were similar across treatments. However, fruits under yellow and grey nets showed significantly lower firmness compared to other treatments. Understanding these effects may contribute to optimizing fruit production and shelf-life management.
- Composting waste from the white wine industryPublication . Pinto, Rui; Correia, Cláudia; Mourão, Isabel; Moura, Luísa; Brito, Luís MiguelThe wine industry generates a large amount of waste, and composting is an alternative for recycling these residues with agronomic and environmental advantages. With this aim, grape marc and grape stalks were composted in static and turned piles, with three and six turns, to investigate the effects of pile conditions during composting in order to improve final compost quality. Thermophilic temperatures were attained soon after pile construction, and the highest maximum temperatures were achieved in the turned piles (70.5–71.8 C). However, pile moisture content decreased below the recommended values after day 42 in these piles. The extremely high temperatures and low moisture content in the turned piles hampered organic matter mineralization rates and the amount of potentially mineralizable organic matter (OM0) (391–407 g kg-1), whereas the structure of the static pile provided adequate porosity to increase organic matter decomposition and OM0 (568 g kg1). This study shows that composting grape marc with stalks, for a period of 140 days, resulted in stabilized and matured compost (NH4 +-N/NO3 –-N < 0.5) with good chemical characteristics for applications as soil organic amendment, without the need for rewetting or turning the piles, thus reducing the agronomic and environmental cost of the composting process.
- Efeito do revolvimento no processo de compostagem de bagaço de uva com engaçoPublication . Brito, Luís Miguel; Pinto, Rui; Correia, Cláudia; Mourão, Isabel; Moura, LuísaA indústria vitivinícola gera uma grande quantidade de resíduos, e a compostagem é uma alternativa para a reciclagem destes resíduos com vantagens agronómicas e ambientais. Com este objetivo, o bagaço e o engaço de uva da casta Alvarinho, recolhidos antes da fermentação, foram compostados em pilhas estáticas e em pilhas revolvidas com três e seis revolvimentos, para investigar os efeitos das condições das pilhas durante a compostagem, a fim de melhorar a qualidade do compostado final. As temperaturas termófilas foram atingidas logo após a construção da pilha, e as temperaturas máximas mais elevadas foram atingidas nas pilhas com revolvimento (70,5-71,8 °C). No entanto, o teor de humidade destas pilhas desceu abaixo dos valores recomendados após 42 dias de compostagem. As temperaturas extremamente elevadas e o reduzido teor de humidade nas pilhas revolvidas, em comparação com a pilha estática, prejudicaram as taxas de mineralização da matéria orgânica e a quantidade de matéria orgânica potencialmente mineralizável (OM0) (391-407 g kg-1), enquanto a estrutura da pilha estática proporcionou uma porosidade adequada para aumentar a decomposição da matéria orgânica e a OM0 (568 g kg-1). Este estudo mostra que a compostagem de bagaço de uva com engaço, por um período de 140 dias, sem a necessidade de humedecimento ou revolvimento das pilhas, reduzindo assim o custo agronómico e ambiental do processo de compostagem, resultou num compostado estabilizado e maturado, com boas características químicas para aplicação como corretivo orgânico do solo.
- Effect of photo-selective nets on yield, fruit quality and Psa disease progression in a ‘hayward’ kiwifruit orchardPublication . Moura, Luísa; Pinto, Rui; Rodrigues, Raúl; Brito, Luís Miguel; Rego, Rute; Valin, Maria Isabel; Mariz-Ponte, Nuno; Santos, Conceição; Mourão, IsabelThe influence of the colour of photo-selective nets on Actinidia deliciosa yield, fruit quality and progression of the bacterial kiwifruit canker (Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, Psa) need to be characterised due to increasing use of these nets, mainly to protect from hail and storms. From May 2019 onwards, pearl (Pn), yellow (Yn) and grey (Gn) nets were installed permanently in a ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit orchard in NW Portugal and uncovered plants were used as the control. Compared to outside conditions for both seasons, the blue:red ratio and the mean air temperature were higher (mean increase of 12.7% and 0.6 °C, respectively) and the photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was lower (10.8% less between budbreak and bloom) under the Pn. Crop yield, compared to the control, decreased by 40.3% under the three nets in 2020, and by 23.9% under the Yn and Gn in 2021. Yield and fruit grade under the Pn were similar to that of uncovered crops in 2021, and fruit grade was overall higher under the Pn compared to the Yn and Gn. Photo-selective nets did not affect the fruit quality parameters. Psa progression decreased under the Pn compared to the control during two months in both seasons, although this beneficial impact needs further evaluation.
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Aveiro: a de novo mutation associated with chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemiaPublication . Costa, Elísio; Cabeda, José; Vieira, Emília; Pinto, Rui; Pereira, Susana; Ferraz, Leonor; Santos, Rosário; Barbot, JoséGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common X-linked enzyme abnormality. The clinical phenotype is variable but often predictable from the molecular lesion. Class I variants (the most severe forms of the disease) cluster within exon 10, in a region that, at the protein level, is believed to be involved in dimerization. Here we describe a de novo mutation (C269Y) of a new class I variant (G6PD Aveiro) that maps to exon 8. Mutant and normal alleles were found in both hematopoietic and buccal cells, indicating the presence of mosaicism. The available model of the protein predicts that this lesion lies in proximity to the dimer interface of the molecule. A possible mechanism to explain the severity of the defect is proposed.
- Impact of Kiwifruit Waste Compost on Soil Bacteriome and Lettuce GrowthPublication . Fernandes, Paulo; Pinto, Rui; Correia, Cláudia; Mourão, Isabel; Moura, Luísa; Brito, Luís MiguelComposts produced with kiwifruit waste from the calibration process (KW), mixed with 5%, 10%, and 20% wheat straw (WS), were evaluated as crop fertilizers through a pot experiment with lettuce, arranged as a randomized block design. Highest lettuce yields were achieved with 20 and 40 t·ha−1 5%WS compost and 40 t·ha−1 10%WS compost, suggesting that the physical characteristics of the composts increased soil water holding capacity and root growth, whereas chemical characteristics such as pH, organic matter, and nutrient contents contributed to improving soil reaction and nutrient availability. The type of soil amendment used influenced the development of different bacterial consortia in the bulk soil and rhizosphere, leading to increased levels of potentially beneficial bacteria and enhanced levels of relevant functions for plant growth, such as nitrogen fixation. Composted KW as an organic amendment can be used to improve soil quality and the circular economy.
- Influencia del síndrome de Gilbert en los valores de bilirrubina sérica y presencia de litiasis vesicular en pacientes con hemólisis crónica congénitaPublication . Costa, Elísio; Pinto, Rui; Vieira, Emília; Polo, Sonia; Sarmento, Ana Margarida; Oliveira, I.; Pimenta, Rui; Santos, Rosário; Barbot, JoséCon el objetivo de evaluar si la presencia de síndrome de Gilbert aumenta el riesgo de desarrollar litiasis vesicular en niños con enfermedad hemolítica crónica, se estudiaron 44 niños con este diagnóstico. El diagnóstico de litiasis vesicular se estableció mediante ultrasonografía. Esta se efectuó anualmente de forma protocolarizada o en el contexto de una sintomatología abdominal dolorosa. En todas ellas, se registraron los valores medios de hemoglobina, reticulocitos y bilirrubina total y directa en fase crónica. Además se analizó la presencia de la inserción del dinucleótida TA en la región promotora del gen de la enzima uridina-difosfoglucuronosiltransferasa (UGT1A1) que está asociada al síndrome de Gilbert. Encontramos 10 pacientes homozigotos para la inserción dinucleótida TA*7/TA*7 (22,7 %), 12 heterozigotos para la inserción dinucleótida TA*6/TA*7 (27,3 %) y 22 pacientes homozigotos para el alelo normal TA*6/TA*6(50 %). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los valores de hemoglobina (test de Kruskal-Wallis 5 2,496; p > 0,05) ni en el recuento de reticulocitos(test de Kruskal-Wallis 5 1,696; p > 0,05) en los 3 grupos de pacientes. Esto sugiere un grado similar de hemólisis. La media de la bilirrubina total en los pacientes con el genotipo TA*7/TA*7 fue significativamente superior a la de los que presentaban el genotipo TA*6/TA*6 (test de Mann-Whitney 5 35,5; p < 0,05). Ningún paciente con el genotipo TA*6/TA*6 presentó litiasis vesicular, pero 2 de los 12 con el genotipo TA*6/TA*7 (16,6 %) y 6 de los 10 con el genotipo TA*7/TA*7 (60 %) tuvieron esta complicación. En este último grupo, 4 pacientes presentaron pancreatitis aguda como complicación de la litiasis vesicular. La asociación entre la producción de la bilirrubina aumentada debido a una enfermedad hemolítica crónica y la disminución de la conjugación hepática de ésta condiciona un incremento de bilirrubina en la bilis. En consecuencia, esto conlleva a un riesgo aumentado en la formación de litiasis vesicular. Así, en la evolución inicial de un niño con enfermedad hemolítica crónica tendrá importancia la investigación del síndrome de Gilbert.
- Lettuce response to organic and phosphate fertilizers and root mycorrhizationPublication . Brito, Luís Miguel; Sampaio, Áurea; Pinto, Rui; Mourão, Isabel; Coutinho, JoãoThe response of lettuce to production system, organic and phosphate fertilizers and root mycorrhization, was evaluated in two pot trials with factorial treatment combination of: (i) soil type (from organic and from conventional production systems) and organic fertilizer (0, 2 and 4 t ha¡1) in the first trial; and (ii) mycorrhizal inoculation (mycorrhized and nonmycorrhized plants) and Gafsa phosphate (0, 100 and 200 kg P2O5 ha¡1) in the second. Lettuce growth decreased with increasing rates of the organic fertilizer because of its very high electrical conductivity (50.1 dS m¡1) and lack of maturation. However, the fertilizer harmful effects were minimized in the soil from organic production. The application of Gafsa phosphate significantly increased lettuce yield and nutrient uptake. However, for the highest rate of phosphate, mycorrhized lettuce yield decreased compared to non-mycorrhized lettuce, suggesting that high soil available P may have harmful effects on the activity of mycorrhizal fungi.
- A pastorícia no desenvolvimento dos territórios de montanha em Portugal: uma análise multidimensional aos desafios e oportunidadesPublication . Pinto, Rui; Castro, Marina; Manso, Filipa Conceição Silva Torres; Rainha, ManuelA sustentabilidade da pastorícia extensiva, designadamente em territórios de montanha, encontra-se ameaçada devido à sua desvalorização e, consequentemente, ao acentuado decréscimo de pastores e efetivos pecuários. O abandono desta atividade contribui paraa desvitalização do tecido socioeconómico local, perda de biodiversidade e um aumento do risco de incêndios de grandes dimensões. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um diagnóstico à pastorícia extensiva em seis territórios de montanha em Portugal, identificando constrangimentos e potenciais estratégias de valorização, fazendo uso de metodologias participativas. Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de desenvolver políticas que visem uma maior valorização e reconhecimento social do pastor e estratégiasque proporcionem um aumento da rentabilidade da pastorícia, nomeadamente através do pagamento de serviços de ecossistema e da gestão de biomassa combustível.
- Valorization of kiwi waste through compostingPublication . Fernandes, Paulo; Pinto, Rui; Correia, Cláudia; Mourão, Isabel; Moura, Luísa; Brito, Luís MiguelKiwi waste from the calibration process is a major environmental problem of kiwi production due to landfill deposition. This work aims to contribute to the agronomic use of recycled kiwi waste through composting. With this objective, a composting experiment was carried out with kiwi fruit waste mixed with 5%, 10% and 20% (fresh weight) of wheat straw from bundles used to protect kiwifruit trunks from frost, as abulking agent to increase aeration, in the piles 5S, 10S and 20S, respectively. The highest temperatures for piles 5S and 10S were above 60 degrees C, whereas the temperature did not reach 40 degrees C in the pile with the highest straw content (20S) because the aeration increased heat loss in addition to increased C/N ratio of this pile. Also, the amount of organic matter mineralized decreased with increasing amount of straw because of the high C/N ratio of the straw. The highest total N (29.7 g kg(-1)) and the lowest C/N ratio (13) of the compost with 5% of straw is important from the agricultural point of view to promote N availability. In contrast, the high electrical conductivity (4.6 dS m(-1)) of this compost increases the risk of salt accumulation in the soil. Our results show that the compost with 10% straw, with high degree of maturation, absence of poor hygiene indicators as coliforms and pathogens as Salmonella sp., high organic matter content and rich in nutrients, together with the adequate compost pH and low electrical conductivity improves compost quality.