H. F. Filizola

Bio: H. F. Filizola is an academic researcher from Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária. The author has contributed to research in topics: Duripan & Stomatal conductance. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 23 publications receiving 252 citations. Previous affiliations of H. F. Filizola include Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo.

Monitoramento e avaliação do risco de contaminação por pesticidas em água superficial e subterrânea na região de Guaíra

Abstract: O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os niveis de ocorrencia de pesticidas em agua, tendo em vista preservar a agua de contaminacao por esses produtos na regiao de Guaira, SP. A hipotese foi que o uso intensivo de pesticidas nessa regiao propiciaria a contaminacao das aguas superficiais e subterrâneas por seus residuos. Para a caracterizacao das propriedades, das caracteristicas e da dinâmica da agua do solo, foi selecionada a Fazenda Macauba por possuir relevo e solos caracteristicos da regiao. Aproximadamente 80% da area da fazenda e constituida por Latossolo Vermelho distroferrico tipico (LVdf), profundo. As areas cultivadas apresentam um horizonte superficial (Ap) completamente desprovido de sua estrutura natural e, abaixo deste, um horizonte compactado, ambos frutos das praticas agricolas. Durante dois anos e meio realizou-se o monitoramento do Ribeirao do Jardim que abastece a cidade de Guaira, bem como de um de seus afluentes e da agua subterrânea proveniente do Aquifero Guarani, a procura de pesticidas. A agua superficial foi coletada de 21em 21 dias e a subterrânea, no inicio e no final do periodo monitorado (dois anos e meio). Os produtos monitorados, trifluralina, endosulfan, lambda cialotrina, dicofol (4,4 diclorobenzofenona), captan, metil paration, clorotalonil e clorpirifos, foram selecionados a partir de um levantamento dos pesticidas utilizados em quatro areas agricolas localizadas na bacia do Ribeirao do Jardim e em razao da efetividade de um metodo de analise de residuos multiplos para sua quantificacao. Os resultados analiticos indicaram que nao houve contaminacao da agua subterrânea, mas que ocasionalmente houve contaminacao direta das aguas de superficie. A nao-contaminacao da agua subterrânea deve-se principalmente as caracteristicas dos Latossolos, como sua grande espessura, sua textura argilosa e sua grande capacidade de armazenamento de agua.

Manual de procedimentos de coleta de amostras em áreas agrícolas para análise da qualidade ambiental: solo, água e sedimentos.

Abstract: A importância e as formas de amostragem em estudos ambientais; A amostragem de solos; Amostragem de solos para analise de metais pesados; Amostragem de solos para analise de nitratos; Amostragem de solos para analise de agrotoxicos; Amostragem de solos para analises biologicas; Amostragem de agua para analises biologicas; Amostragem de agua para analise de nitrato e de metais pesados; Amostragem de agua para analise de agrotoxicos; Amostragem de sedimentos para analise de metais pesados; Amostragem de sedimentos para analise de agrotoxicos; Amostragem de sedimentos do fundo de lagos, represas e viveiros de aquicultura para analises fisico-quimicas; Amostragem de sedimentos para analises biologicas

The vegetative growth assists to reproductive responses of Arabic coffee trees in a long-term FACE experiment

Abstract: In simulation studies of Arabic coffee plants under the future CO2 conditions, no data about flowering, yield fractions or beverage sensorial have been reported. It was hypothesized that elevated CO2 (e[CO2]) would improve the leaf-gas exchange responses, assisting in improvement of coffee reproduction. The aim was to estimate leaf-gas exchange dynamics, flowering, fruiting intensity and quality in Coffea arabica grown in long-term FACE experiment under rainfed conditions. Leaf-gas exchanges were followed for five years during vegetative and reproductive stages; flowering was observed at second order axis scale for 4 years; berry production, its fractions and beverage sensorial were estimated at plot scale in the 4th production year under FACE. Young coffee plants did not modify leaf-gas exchange responses under e[CO2] in observed periods, while the adult ones increased leaf-photosynthesis in all observed stages. Stomatal conductance and water use efficiency were higher under e[CO2] than actual [CO2] in some stages of flowering, berry expansion and ripping, benefited from higher water content over the soil profile in advanced years of FACE. Elevated CO2 mitigated the effects of anomalous drought and high temperatures in rainy season, reducing the abnormal reproductive structures rate. Under e[CO2], the intense leaf-photosynthesis did not improve the yield or sensorial beverage quality in 4th production year, but a fraction of green berries, indicating flowering delay or prolongated ripening. The e[CO2] supported species survival during short intensive drought through high carbon investments in reproduction, while long/anomalous droughts reduced the fraction of flower abnormalities, indicating carbon investments in individual plant survival.

Pesticides in Brazilian freshwaters: a critical review.

Abstract: The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture can lead to water contamination and cause adverse effects on non-target organisms. Brazil has been the world's top pesticide market consumer since 2008, with 381 approved pesticides for crop use. This study provides a comprehensive literature review on the occurrence of pesticide residues in Brazilian freshwaters. We searched for information in official agency records and peer-reviewed scientific literature. Risk quotients were calculated to assess the potential risk posed to aquatic life by the individual pesticides based on their levels of water contamination. Studies about the occurrence of pesticides in freshwaters in Brazil are scarce and concentrated in few sampling sites in 5 of the 27 states. Herbicides (21) accounted for the majority of the substances investigated, followed by fungicides (11), insecticides (10) and plant growth regulators (1). Insecticides are the class of major concern. Brazil would benefit from the implementation of a nationwide pesticide freshwater monitoring program to support preventive, remediation and enforcement actions.

The physiological responses of cacao to the environment and the implications for climate change resilience. A review

Abstract: Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tropical perennial crop which is of great economic importance to the confectionary industry and to the economies of many countries of the humid tropics where it is grown. Some recent studies have suggested that climate change could severely impact cacao production in West Africa. It is essential to incorporate our understanding of the physiology and genetic variation within cacao germplasm when discussing the implications of climate change on cacao productivity and developing strategies for climate resilience in cacao production. Here, we review the current research on the physiological responses of cacao to various climate factors. Our main findings are as follows: (1) water limitation causes significant yield reduction in cacao, but genotypic variation in sensitivity is evident; (2) in the field, cacao experiences higher temperatures than is often reported in the literature; (3) the complexity of the cacao/shade tree interaction can lead to contradictory results; (4) elevated CO2 may alleviate some negative effects of climate change; (5) implementation of mitigation strategies can help reduce environmental stress; and (6) significant gaps in the research need addressing to accelerate the development of climate resilience. Harnessing the significant genetic variation apparent within cacao germplasm is essential to develop modern varieties capable of high yields in non-optimal conditions. Mitigation strategies will also be essential, but to use shading to best effect shade tree selection is crucial to avoid resource competition. Cacao is often described as being sensitive to climate change, but genetic variation, adaptive responses, appropriate mitigation strategies and interactive climate effects should all be considered when predicting the future of cacao production. Incorporating these physiological responses to various environmental conditions and developing a deeper understanding of the processes underlying these responses will help to accelerate the development of a more resource use efficient tree ensuring sustainable production into the future.

Why could the coffee crop endure climate change and global warming to a greater extent than previously estimated

Abstract: Coffee, one of the most heavily globally traded agricultural commodities, has been categorized as a highly sensitive plant species to progressive climatic change. Here, we summarize recent insights on the coffee plant’s physiological performance at elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration [CO2]. We specifically (i) provide new data of crop yields obtained under free-air CO2 enrichment conditions, (ii) discuss predictions on the future of the coffee crop as based on rising temperature and (iii) emphasize the role of [CO2] as a key player for mitigating harmful effects of supra-optimal temperatures on coffee physiology and bean quality. We conclude that the effects of global warming on the climatic suitability of coffee may be lower than previously assumed. We highlight perspectives and priorities for further research to improve our understanding on how the coffee plant will respond to present and progressive climate change.

Aquatic environments polluted with antibiotics and heavy metals: a human health hazard

Abstract: Aquatic environments often receive wastewater containing pollutants such as antibiotics and heavy metals from hospital sewage, as well as contaminants from soil. The presence of these pollutants can increase the rate of exchange of resistant genes between environmental and pathogenic bacteria, which can make the treatment of various types of bacterial infections in humans and animals difficult, in addition to causing environmental problems such as ecological risk. In this study, two tetracycline-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (EW32 and EW33), isolated from aquatic environments close to industries and a hospital in southeastern Brazil, were investigated regarding the possible association between tetracycline and heavy metal resistance. The isolate EW32 presented a conjugative plasmid with coresistance to tetracycline and copper, reinforcing the concern that antibiotic resistance by acquisition of plasmids can be induced by the selective pressure of heavy metals in the environment.