Bioscience Journal

Sterility information on reciprocating endodontic instruments is often unclear on the packaging. This can make clinicians uncertain about the safe use of these instruments without prior sterilization. This study evaluated the sterility of different reciprocating file systems directly from their original packaging. Six instruments from five commercially available reciprocating systems (Reciproc® Blue, WaveOne® Gold, W File, X1 Blue MK Life, and AllPrime R Blue) were tested. Each file was aseptically removed from its packaging inside a laminar flow chamber and immediately placed into sterile glass vials containing 5 mL of Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) medium. A 0.25 mL aliquot from each vial was collected after 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation and plated onto Petri dishes. Then, they were incubated for an additional 72 hours. To ensure methodological reliability, two instruments (one Reciproc® Blue and one AllPrime R Blue) were deliberately contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and served as positive controls. The presence of colony-forming units (CFUs) was assessed at 24-hour intervals throughout the experimental period. No bacterial growth was detected in any of the test groups at any time point, while CFUs consistently appeared in the positive controls. Considering the limitations of this study, reciprocating endodontic files, in their original manufacturer-sealed packaging and without prior clinical use, seem free of microbial contamination and are safe for immediate clinical application.

Studies on plant root system architecture may yield valuable data for genetic improvement programs for developing cultivars that acquire water and nutrients more efficiently. This study used morphological descriptors to characterize the root system and evaluate genetic diversity among 30 melon accessions. A completely randomized experiment was conducted with 30 treatments and 5 replications. The plot consisted of one seedling. After seed germination, five seedlings were fixed in a dried growth medium for 12 days. Then, they were scanned and measured for primary root length and primary root neck diameter. Root hairs were visually evaluated. Finally, basal root angles were measured. The accessions diverged genetically regarding the root system morphological characteristics. The primary root neck diameter contributed the most to the dissimilarity between the accessions (43.06%). The A-50 accession stood out for the highest mean for morphological characteristics. It may represent a reference in genetic improvement programs to develop cultivars that acquire water and nutrients more efficiently.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and selectivity of pyroxasulfone and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at garlic cv. Ito pre-emergence. The experiment was conducted in two commercial areas in Curitibanos/SC during 2021 and 2022, using a randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of the pre-emergence application of: pyroxasulfone at rates of 75, 100, and 125 g ha-1; pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at rates of 60 + 40, 90 + 60, and 120 + 80 g ha-1; oxyfluorfen + flumioxazin (180 + 25 g ha-1); pendimethalin + flumioxazin (1820 or 1600 + 25 g ha-1); and pendimethalin alone (1820 or 1600 g ha-1). In addition, we included an untreated and a weed-free control. This study evaluated weed density, dry mass, phytotoxicity, and bulb yields. In 2021, no weeds were reported in the cultivation area, thus only herbicide selectivity for garlic was evaluated, with all the treatments being selective without reducing the yield of garlic. In 2022, ryegrass and wild radish were predominant weeds in the crop, but the treatments caused a greater reduction in the number of ryegrass plants compared to wild radish. The plots with a higher number of wild radish plants showed a greater accumulation of dry mass due to their rapid development and large size. The most effective herbicides against these species were pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin at doses 60 + 40 and 120 + 80 g ha-1, and oxyfluorfen + flumioxazin, while also giving a high total and commercial yield. Therefore, pyroxasulfone and pyroxasulfone + flumioxazin are selective treatments at garlic cv. Ito pre-emergence.

Signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) is a common troublesome weed in peanut areas, and its control is essential. This study evaluated the efficacy of herbicides associated with harvested sugarcane residues in controlling U. decumbens. Herbicides were applied with or without sugarcane straw during U. decumbens pre-emergence (imazapic, imazethapyr + flumioxazin, diclosulam, s-metolachlor, clomazone, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + diuron, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin) and post-emergence (imazapic, imazethapyr, bentazon + imazamox, quizalofop-p-ethyl, clethodim, haloxyfop-p-methyl, fluazifop-p-butyl, propaquizafop, and glyphosate). Sugarcane residues reduced plant emergence (68%) and emergence speed (77%). Except for imazapic, every pre-emergent herbicide application without sugarcane straw promoted control levels higher than 90%. The highest U. decumbens control levels (over 95%) occurred mainly with clomazone, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin, regardless of the straw factor. Glyphosate and haloxyfop herbicides promoted the highest U. decumbens control levels, primarily reducing growth characteristics, followed by propaquizafop, quizalofop-p-ethyl, and fluazifop-p-butyl. The study concluded that sugarcane straw reduced U. decumbens emergence. Clomazone, pyroxasulfone, and trifluralin herbicides applied during pre-emergence promoted the highest U. decumbens control levels, regardless of the presence or absence of sugarcane straw. All pre-emergence herbicide applications without sugarcane straw controlled U. decumbens satisfactorily, except for imazapic. Glyphosate and haloxyfop-p-methyl herbicides applied post-emergence provided the highest U. decumbens control levels, followed by propaquizafop, quizalofop-p-ethyl, and fluazifop-p-butyl, regardless of the presence of sugarcane straw.

Adding adjuvants to crop protection sprays is common practice; however interactions among formulations must be better understood to prevent reducing efficacy, especially for those containing microorganisms for biological control. This study aimed to assess physicochemical interactions, droplet formation, and viability of the fungus Cordyceps fumosorosea mixed with an adjuvant. The experiments followed a completely randomized design with four replications and six treatments. The treatments included the fungus associated with five adjuvants: polyether/silicone copolymer (1 - PSC), alkyl phosphate ester (2 - PAE), soybean oil methyl ester (3 - SME), orange peel oil (4 - OPO), lecithin/propionic acid mixture (5 - LPA), and a control (only fungus) (6). The LPA adjuvant was physically compatible with the fungus, unlike others that showed phase separation. All adjuvants reduced the contact angle and surface tension compared to the control, with treatments PSC and LPA presenting the lowest values, respectively. All adjuvants reduced droplet size compared to the control. Treatment LPA produced the smallest droplet size, the highest risk of drift, and the most droplet uniformity. The highest viscosity values originated from solutions in treatment LPA, followed by PAE. Formulations with the LPA adjuvant plus the bioinsecticide yielded the lowest pH and the highest electrical conductivity values, followed by OPO. Even with the low pH, the LPA treatment did not affect the viability of the entomopathogenic fungus. It is evident that the adjuvants affected the physicochemical characteristics of the solutions, and treatment LPA yielded the best results for physicochemical compatibility, as it did not reduce the viability of the entomopathogenic fungus.