Teses e Dissertações
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Teses e dissertações defendidas no contexto dos programas de pós graduação da Instituição.
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Resultados da Pesquisa
Item Rede de restauração agroecológica de paisagens e florestas: uma tecitura que se faz a muitas mãos(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-03-31) Alvares, Bráulio Furtado; Cardoso, Irene Maria; http://lattes.cnpq.br/0987395900991283Para reverter o cenário das emergências climáticas iniciativas como a Década de Restauração de Ecossistemas das Nações Unidas, ou no Brasil, o Pacto Pela Restauração da Mata Atlântica, têm metas ambiciosas de restauração. Entretanto, a restauração não ocorrerá de forma justa e duradoura sem a contribuição daqueles que vivem nos territórios. A pesquisa procurou responder às seguintes perguntas a partir da pesquisa participante: quais são e onde se localizam as experiências de restauração desenvolvidas a partir de inovações camponesas na Zona da Mata? Quais as características destas experiências? Quais são e como se dão os arranjos entre as instituições envolvidas na restauração ecológica e agroecologia na região? É possível identificar inovações camponesas e redes sociotécnicas capazes de desencadear novos processos de restauração agroecológica de paisagens e florestas no território? É possível ampliar a recuperação das paisagens e florestas a partir da restauração agroecológica? O primeiro capítulo, “Agroecossitemas restaurados a partir de inovações camponesas agroecológicas”, objetivou identificar, descrever e analisar experiências reconhecidas de restauração agroecológica de agroecossitemas e identificar como elas podem contribuir para o aumento da escala da restauração de paisagens e florestas. Estudou-se cinco agroecossitemas restaurados a partir de inovações camponesas agroecológicas na região Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, considerada Polo Agroecológico e de Produção Orgânica. Entrevistas semiestruturadas e caminhadas transversais permitiram identificar o contexto socioambiental das pessoas envolvidas na restauração dos agroecossitemas visitados e suas motivações para a transição agroecológica e a importância de suas participações nas atividades do movimento agroecológico. O movimento levou a transformações pessoais, sociais e ambientais que resultaram na restauração agroecológica dos agroecossistemas. A restauração agroecológica de paisagens e florestas é capaz de contribuir com as metas Globais a partir dos territórios. São várias as trilhas para a restauração agroecológica identificadas, que passam pela eliminação do uso de agrotóxicos, o manejo da biodiversidade e a adoção de práticas de conservação do solo e da água. O segundo capítulo, “Tecendo uma rede de restauração agroecológica de paisagens e florestas”, objetivou modelar e estudar o potencial de redes de instituições organizações de restauração ecológica e agroecológica em contribuir para desencadear processos duradouros de restauração de paisagens e florestas. Utilizou-se do método bola de neve para identificar e entrevistar informantes chave de 30 organizações que forneceram informações para modelar em ambiente R a rede Completa, formada por essas organizações informantes e as parceiras informadas. A análise das métricas de centralidade da rede Completa definiu as organizações mais influentes, sendo elas, o Núcleo de Educação do Campo e Agroecologia da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, o Centro de Tecnologias Alternativas da Zona da Mata, o Instituto Socioambiental de Viçosa e The Nature Conservancy Brasil. A partir dessas organizações modelou-se uma nova rede denominada Coração e a análise de suas métricas de centralidade revelou equilíbrio na distribuição de influência entre as quatro organizações centrais. Técnicas de mineração de texto foram utilizadas para o estudo dos campos e modos de atuação das organizações. A agroecologia foi o termo mais citado entre as palavras geradoras e observou-se que há um alinhamento das organizações com a proposta da restauração agroecológica. A Rede de Restauração Agroecológica de Paisagens e Florestas do Polo tem potencial para desencadear ciclos de restauração agroecológica. O apoio às redes sociotécnicas dos territórios é importante para a construção de políticas públicas que incentivem, a partir deles, a transição agroecológica no contexto da restauração agroecológica de paisagens e florestas. Palavras-chave: inovação socioecológica; inovação camponesa; rede sociotécnica; trilhas para a restauração; Polo AgroecológicoItem Comparative cytogenomics of the repeatome landscape in Capsicum L.(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-03-21) Almeida, Breno Machado de; Clarindo, Wellington Ronildo; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1573949472165597Capsicum L. (Solanaceae) comprises ~43 species, which are represented by sweet and hot peppers. Capsicum repeatome impacts its genome structure and diversity, as the nuclear 1C value and chromosome composition and organization that varies among the species. In this context, we aim to characterize and map the repeatome in Capsicum species. The first chapter presents an updated and in-depth review of the structural genome and the epigenome of Capsicum. We revisited data about 1C value, karyotype, sequencing, and cytogenomics mapping of 35S and 5S rDNA, satellite DNA (satDNA), transposable elements (TEs) and histone post-translational modification marks. These data were integrated into an ideogram for each chromosome, allowing a better understanding of the composition, structure, organization and evolution of the Capsicum karyotypes. Furthermore, we highlighted the main gaps and challenges related to 1C value measurement, genome sequencing of domesticated and wild species, comparative cytogenomics (rDNA, satDNA and TEs), and the epigenomic landscape. The second chapter was dedicated to the 1C value measurement, in silico analysis and comparative genomics of 35S and 5S rDNA, and LINEs RTE, LINEs L1, SINEs, ERVs, MULEs in Capsicum. The mean 1C value of C. annuum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, C. baccatum, C. pubescens, C. rabenii and C. flexuosum was measured, confirming the intraspecific variation from C. chinense with 1C = 3.96 ± 0.124 pg to C. flexuosum with 1C = 8.40 ± 0.251 pg. Capsicum 35S rDNA sites by 2n complement ranged from 2 (C. annuum and C. chinense) to 15 (C. baccatum), also varying the fluorescence signal intensity. In contrast, only one pair with 5S rDNA was mapped in the distal portions of the short arms of the C. annuum, C. chinense, C. frutescens, and C. baccatum chromosomes. The investigated TEs (LINEs RTE, LINEs L1, SINEs, ERVs, MULEs) proportions also oscillated among the Capsicum genomes: 1.26% in C. annuum, 1.0% in C. chinense and 0.99% in C. baccatum. SINEs, ERVs and MULEs were grouped into three distinct clusters, while LINEs RTE and LINEs L1 formed a single cluster, as revealed by MDS projection. In general, TEs exhibited scattered signals along the chromosomes. Moreover, hybridization signals were observed in the centromere and pericentromere, as well as in interstitial and distal chromosome regions. This study reinforces the value of Capsicum as a model for exploring repetitive DNA in cytogenomic and evolutionary contexts. Our data not only illuminates genome organization through integrated molecular, cytogenetic, and bioinformatic approaches but also serves as a key resource for in silico cytogenomics and comparative repeatome research in plants, particularly in the genus Capsicum. Keywords: Peppers; Molecular Cytogenetics ; FISH; Genomics; Repeatome ; Mobile Elements.Item Toxicity assessment of pesticides and biopesticides on wild and managed bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea), and richness evaluation in mediterranean and tropical agroecosystems(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-02-21) Catania, Roberto; Siqueira, Maria Augusta Lima; http://lattes.cnpq.br/8921922664198131Bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) are the main pollinator insects for wild and cultivated plants, being of crucial environmental and economic importance. Their global decline, driven by anthropogenic factors, including the use of synthetic pesticides, is an alarming concern. Biopesticides can be a viable alternative for the protection of cultivated plants due to their high selectivity and short environmental persistence. Despite their natural origin, biopesticides can cause lethal and sublethal effects on non-target organisms. During this PhD project, we studied the toxicity of synthetic pesticides and biopesticides on wild and managed bees, using different products marketed in Mediterranean and tropical areas, and some nanoformulations of essential oils (EOs) tested on pests but not yet commercialized. Lethal and sublethal effects caused by pesticides commonly used in Italian and Brazilian agroecosystems, including greenhouses, were evaluated, with particular attention to some biopesticides of botanical origin, such as EOs. Synthetic and botanical pesticides caused lethal and sublethal effects on social (honeybees, bumblebees, Neotropical stingless bees), and solitary bees. Specifically, EOs caused lethal effects after topical and oral exposure to Apis mellifera, Bombus terrestris, Osmia bicornis, and Melipona mondury. Changes in feeding behavior and locomotor alterations caused by exposure to EOs were observed on the stingless bee M. mondury. Commonly used pesticides and biopesticides caused reduced survival of ground-nesting wild bees of Andrena and Eucera species, and altered the locomotor behavior of managed bees. Synthetic insecticides used to protect greenhouse tomato plants reduced the survival and caused changes in feeding behavior, and midgut alterations in B. terrestris. These results may be important for the appropriate use of pesticides and biopesticides in integrated pest and pollinator management, providing crucial data for the conservation of pollinating insects. In addition, populations of wild bees were studied in two tree crops in Southern Italy, one Mediterranean (almond) and one tropical (mango), comparing species richness and abundance between integrated and organic management. Keywords: ecotoxicology; social bees; solitary bees; lethal effects; sublethal effects; essential oils; management; almond; mango exposure; integrated pest and pollinator.Item Developing novel natural and synthetic tools for a more sustainable management of Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-02-20) Francesco, Leonardo Semençato; Oliveira, Eugênio Eduardo de; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4889276299285924Chemical control is the primary strategy for managing Euschistus heros in soybean production. However, excessive use of synthetic insecticides raises concerns about resistance development and impacts on non-target organisms, such as natural enemies and pollinators. This study evaluated essential oils and biorational molecules as sustainable alternatives. The essential oils of Minthostachys verticillata (peperina) and Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium) were tested alongside the synthetic butenolide K16 for their toxicity against third instar nymphs of E. heros and selectivity toward Telenomus podisi and Apis mellifera. In order to determine their insecticidal potential, lethal concentrations (LC) were estimated for each treatment. For P. graveolens essential oil, the LC50 was 1,784 µL/L (?2= 4.1627, P = 0.2444), and the LC80 reached 5,368 µL/L. For M. verticillata essential oil, the LC50 was 2,483 µL/L (?2= 1.9762, P = 0.3723), and the LC80 was 5,365 µL/L. In addition, to parasitoid T. podisi, P. graveolens EO caused 0.83% mortality at LC10, 32.36% at LC50, and 83.86% at LC80. M. verticillata EO, resulted in 0.83%, 21.4%, and 75.18% mortality at the same concentrations, respectively selectivity only up to LC50. For the pollinator A. mellifera, LC80 mortality in the first five hours was 60.24% for P. graveolens and 31.39% for M. verticillata, with no mortality in the control group. The synthetic butenolide K16 showed strong insecticidal activity in a dose-dependent manner. The LC20 was 181.47 µg/L, LC50 was 423.48 µg/L, and LC20 reached 988.23 µg/L. K16 demonstrated selective toxicity, with Telenomus podisi showing no significant mortality at LC20 (P = 0.0014) but reaching 100% mortality at LC80 (P = 1), indicating loss of selectivity at higher concentrations. In Apis mellifera, mortality increased from 6.67% at LC20 to 28.33% at LC80, highlighting potential risks to pollinators. These results suggest that essential oils and butenolide-based molecules are potential alternatives to conventional insecticides. However, optimizing their application is crucial to minimize risks to beneficial organisms. Future research should focus on improving formulations, reducing environmental persistence, and evaluating field-scale efficacy to enhance sustainable pest management. Keywords: sustainable pest control; non-target organisms; selective toxicity; soybean insect management.Item Drivers of ecosystem functioning in secondary tropical forests: the roles of carbon stocks, endemic species, and anthropogenic disturbance(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-12-05) Silva, Nathália; Meira Neto, João Augusto Alves; http://lattes.cnpq.br/1814298753509846Understanding the mechanisms that structure biodiversity and determine carbon stocks in tropical forests is central in the face of global change, fragmentation, and intensified anthropogenic disturbances. In this thesis, we investigate the functional, phylogenetic, environmental, and anthropogenic determinants of carbon stocks and the functional diversity of endemic and threatened species in secondary forest fragments of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered biomes on the planet. We used data from 23 fragments, where tree communities were sampled with information on functional traits, phylogenetic structure, and biomass, integrated with environmental variables and disturbance history. In Chapter 1, we evaluate how the mechanisms of niche complementarity and mass ratio regulate aboveground carbon stocks (AGC) and how abiotic factors and anthropogenic disturbances modulate these processes. We hypothesize that (1) the mass ratio mechanism will exert a greater influence on AGC; (2) aboveground carbon stocks will be positively related to environmental factors widely associated with increased productivity and biomass accumulation in tropical forests, such as higher temperature, water availability, and soil fertility; and (3) the influence of ecological mechanisms on carbon stocks will depend on levels of anthropogenic disturbance. In areas with low disturbance, we expect that niche complementarity will play a predominant role, since reduced anthropogenic pressure and greater ecological niche availability can support the coexistence of diverse functional strategies that promote biomass accumulation. Conversely, in highly disturbed areas, the mass ratio mechanism may exert a stronger influence on carbon stocks, as disturbance can select for more resilient or tolerant functional strategies. In Chapter 2, we expand the analysis to explore multiple carbon compartments (AGC, root biomass carbon – RC, and soil organic carbon – SOC), aiming to understand how functional diversity, trait dominance, phylogenetic diversity, and environmental and anthropogenic gradients interact to shape these stocks. We hypothesize that aboveground carbon stocks will be primarily influenced by water availability, soil fertility and functional structure of plants, with communities dominated by species with conservative traits storing more biomass and carbon aboveground. In addition, we expect phylogenetic diversity to have a positive effect on AGC through complementarity and niche partitioning. For root carbon, in addition to sharing similarities with environmental conditions favorable for AGC, since it also represents live biomass, we expect stronger associations with acquisitive functional strategies of plants, since fine roots need to cope with resource fluctuations in the soil. For soil organic carbon, we predict stronger associations with climatic seasonality and edaphic factors, since litter decomposition is constrained during dry periods and organic matter stabilization is favored, and it also appears to be reinforced by resource-conserving strategies that promote stabilization and generate more recalcitrant litter inputs. Finally, in Chapter 3, we explore the role of endemic and threatened species in the functional diversity of secondary tropical forests, evaluating their distribution in functional space and the potential consequences of their loss. We hypothesize that these groups occupy restricted subsets of functional space with more conservative strategies, and that their exclusion would reduce functional richness and dispersion, increasing the regularity of trait distribution. Together, the three chapters provide evidence that maintaining diversity and functional structure is fundamental to sustaining carbon stocks and ecosystem functions in Atlantic Forest remnants, highlighting the importance of conservation strategies that integrate biodiversity, key groups, the influence of anthropogenic degradation, and multiple carbon compartments. Keywords: ecosystem functioning; biodiversity conservation; trait-based ecologyItem Epibiotic relationships in marine hydrozoans (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa): influence of environmental factors and substrate type on the biology and diversity of hydroids(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-10-28) Araújo, Alessandra Lopes de; Cunha, Amanda Ferreira e; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4923391744037798Epibiosis is a very common spatial relationship among marine benthic invertebrates, in which one organism, the epibiont, lives on the surface of another living organism, the basibiont. Epibiosis can be epiphytic, when the epibiont associates with a plant substrate, or epizoic, when it occurs on an animal substrate. This relationship is not necessarily positive or negative and may even be neutral, depending on the context. Epibiotic relationships are frequently observed in marine hydroids (Hydrozoa, Cnidaria), which correspond to the sessile polyp stage of hydrozoans. Hydroids are capable of colonizing a wide variety of plant and animal substrates. Thus, this study aims to evaluate whether the frequency of generalist and specialist epibiotic interactions of marine hydroids is influenced by environmental factors (e.g., latitude and depth), and whether substrate type is related to life-cycle type (e.g., presence of fixed gonophores, medusa, or medusoid stages) and colony morphology, specifically branching patterns (erect branched, erect unbranched, stolonal, or solitary polyps). Regarding patterns of generalism and specialism along environmental gradients (latitude and depth), networks from the Arctic, Northern Temperate, and Tropical regions, as well as sublittoral zone 1 (2–100 m), showed significant modularity, suggesting a more specialist tendency than other regions. With respect to substrate type, life cycle, and colony morphology, hydroids with fixed gonophores showed greater associations with algae and other hydroids, whereas hydroids with a medusa stage were more frequent on hard corals and other hydroids. Erect branched colonies were more frequent on algae and other hydroids, while stolonal colonies were more commonly observed on hard corals and other hydroids. These results mainly indicate that generalism or specialism in hydroids and their respective substrates can vary according to environmental context and that substrates, although not determining factors of the life cycle, may be associated with reproductive strategies and colony morphology. Investigating the attributes involved in the diversity of marine hydroids is of great importance, particularly for understanding the processes that drive the evolution of hydrozoans. Keywords: epibiosis; Hydrozoa; hydroids; substrates; life cycle; morphology; network approach; generalism; specialismItem Aplicação tecnológica e biológica de alimentos de fontes vegetais subutilizadas(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-12-12) Brito, Renata Moraes; Pires, Ana Clarissa dos Santos; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5316877919786874A produção sustentável de espécies vegetais convencionais e a valorização de culturas subutilizadas contribuem para a sustentabilidade dos sistemas alimentares e a conservação da biodiversidade. Alimentos vegetais alternativos destacam-se pelo conteúdo de compostos bioativos em espécies convencionais, como manjericão e castanha de caju, e em culturas subutilizadas, como folhas de moringa e amêndoa de baru. Assim, este trabalho, dividido em dois artigos científicos, teve como objetivo caracterizar e avaliar o potencial de aplicação da castanha de caju, do manjericão, da amêndoa de baru e das folhas de moringa, por meio do desenvolvimento de um molho pesto alternativo e da avaliação dos efeitos biológicos de blends formulados com suas farinhas. No primeiro artigo, foi desenvolvido e avaliado o potencial tecnológico e sensorial de quatro formulações de molho pesto: manjericão com castanha de caju (B/CN), manjericão com amêndoa de baru (B/BA) e duas versões com substituição de 50% do manjericão por folha de moringa, combinadas com castanha de caju (BM/CN) ou amêndoa de baru (BM/BA). A análise de cor revelou que o BM/CN tinha um tom verde mais pronunciado. Tanto o BM/CN quanto o BM/BA apresentaram níveis de compostos fenólicos totais e capacidade antioxidante semelhantes à amostra B/CN, enquanto o BM/BA continha a maior concentração de tanino condensado (113,28 mg equivalente a catequina/100 g). Os principais compostos voláteis identificados, 1,8-cineol e linalol, foram consistentes em todas as formulações, garantindo o aroma característico de manjericão. A avaliação sensorial indicou que todas as formulações, incluindo aquelas com folhas de moringa e amêndoas de baru, foram classificadas como "boa aceitação", sem diferença na aceitabilidade em relação ao pesto tradicional (p > 0,05). Também não houve diferenças na percepção do aroma de manjericão, sabor de nozes e oleosidade (p > 0,05). Portanto, as formulações de pesto mostraram que folhas de moringa e amêndoas de baru podem ser incorporadas sem comprometer aceitação, aroma ou funcionalidade. No segundo artigo, investigou-se a qualidade proteica e os efeitos metabólicos de dietas experimentais formuladas com blends de farinhas contendo castanha de caju parcialmente desengordurado (C), amêndoa de baru parcialmente desengordurado (B), folhas de manjericão (M) e folhas de moringa (MO), utilizando ratos machos Wistar como modelo animal experimental. As farinhas apresentaram elevado teor proteico, superior a 30%, exceto da farinha de manjericão (20,63%). Dentre os blends testados, as formulações C/M e B/M/MO destacaram-se pela maior qualidade proteica, evidenciada pelos índices de PER (Protein Efficiency Ratio) e NPR (Net Protein Ratio). Os valores de PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) variaram de 60,34% a 68,88%, sendo a leucina o aminoácido limitante em todas as formulações. Os animais dos grupos B/M e B/M/MO apresentaram menores níveis de glicemia, colesterol total e LDL (lipoproteína de baixa densidade). Observou- se manutenção do estado redox, com modulação das enzimas antioxidantes, sem elevação de MDA ou proteína carbonilada nos grupos C/M, C/M/MO e B/M. A análise histológica do fígado indicou ausência de esteatose no grupo B/M e presença discreta no grupo B/M/MO. Dessa forma, os blends de farinhas forneceram proteínas de boa qualidade e modularam parâmetros metabólicos e oxidativos, especialmente os contendo baru, que melhoraram glicemia, perfil lipídico e integridade hepática. Concluiu-se que, esses alimentos regionais e subutilizados apresentam potencial para inovação tecnológica e benefícios biológicos, reforçando seu papel em estratégias alimentares mais saudáveis e sustentáveis. Palavras-chave: compostos bioativos; molho pesto; Moringa oleifera; Dipteryx alataItem Sojas transgênicas com duas e três toxinas Bt: resistência prévia e efeitos transgeracionais como condicionantes do manejo de Spodoptera frugiperda(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-06-13) Moraes, João Gabriel Tardin de; Pereira, Eliseu José Guedes; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2250860245839004Sistemas intensivos de cultivo de soja, milho e algodão na América do Sul têm alterado o status de praga de Spodoptera spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) em soja sob adoção em larga escala de certas cultivares transgênicas produzindo toxinas de Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Nesse cenário, S. frugiperda destaca-se pela sua tolerância e resistência a Bt e é preciso compreender o impacto da composição de toxinas Bt produzidas nos tecidos da planta, dos estágios de desenvolvimento do inseto e da planta e dos potenciais efeitos (trans)geracionais resultantes da interação desses fatores. Assim, este trabalho objetivou determinar: i) o impacto de sojas Bt com 0, 1, 2, ou 3 toxinas Bt sobre a comunidade de artrópodes do cultivo; ii) o efeito letal das sojas durante os estágios de crescimento das plantas contra S. frugiperda de diversos genótipos e ínstares larvais; e iii) os efeitos subletais, geracionais e transgeracionais decorrentes da exposição dos insetos às toxinas Bt das sojas. Os resultados de dois anos de cultivo indicaram que as sojas Bt afetaram seletivamente os lepidópteros, mas não se detectou efeito delas na densidade populacional de inimigos naturais de pragas ou em artrópodes detritívoros. Nos tecidos foliares das plantas, a cultivar com Cry1Ac + Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2 foi a mais eficaz contra as lagartas neonatas, incluindo aquelas de populações resistentes a Bt Cry1 e Cry2, reduzindo o tempo médio de sobrevivência em até 74% e causando mortalidade >80% em 7 dias. As cultivares com Cry1Ac ou com Cry1Ac + Cry1F mostraram eficácia relativamente menor contra as lagartas. Observou-se queda significativa no índice de desempenho biótico na geração F1 das populações suscetível e resistente a Cry1 expostas às cultivares Bt na geração parental, indicando a presença de efeitos transgeracionais. A taxa intrínseca de crescimento populacional, estimada dos dados de desenvolvimento e fertilidade, apresentou valores negativos para essas populações, evidenciando efeitos subletais duradouros e transgeracionais. Esses resultados indicam que as sojas transgênicas Bt podem causar efeitos subletais que passam à geração seguinte e a soja com 3 toxinas Bt tem potencial para bom controle de S. frugiperda nos cultivos. Contudo, eles devem ser acompanhados e a adoção de programas de manejo integrado de pragas pode ser necessário para preservar a eficácia de controle de toxinas de Bt ativas contra as lagartas e o potencial produtivo nas culturas de soja, milho e algodão. Palavras-chave: lagarta-do-cartucho; Bacillus thuringiensis; toxinas Cry1 e Cry2; artropodofauna; efeitos letais; subletais.Item Green guardians of regenerative coffee: lacewing larvae as entomovectors, entomopathogenic fungi, and essential oil team up against coffee berry borer(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-04-28) Ferreira, Douglas da Silva; Venzon, Madelaine; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6558522786522599Regenerative coffee farming has gained prominence by promoting sustainable agricultural practices that restore ecosystems and improve farmers’ livelihoods. The use of sustainable alternatives to replace chemical pesticides has become a constant pursuit in agriculture, aiming to reduce environmental and health impacts. Coffee cultivation has increasingly adopted these sustainable practices; however, it still faces major challenges in controlling one of its main pests, the coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei Ferrari, 1867). Products based on entomopathogenic fungi, such as Beauveria bassiana (Bals.-Criv.) Vuill., 1912, are used for this purpose. Nevertheless, their variable efficacy, potential impacts on non-target beneficial insects, and combined use with other biological control agents raise concerns about possible incompatibilities. This thesis therefore explored the interactions between B. bassiana and other promising biological control agents. In the first chapter, we demonstrated the non-pathogenicity of a commercial B. bassiana-based product (Granada®) against two species of green lacewings that are predators of the coffee berry borer: Chrysoperla externa Hagen, 1861 and Ceraeochrysa cubana Hagen, 1861. Results showed mortality rates below 5% for the natural enemies, compared to 95% for the coffee berry borer. Despite the low mortality in lacewing larvae, we aimed to investigate potential sublethal effects on them. With that in mind, the second chapter assessed potential sublethal effects on predation, foraging, reproduction, and life cycle of these two lacewing species. Results showed, surprisingly, low potential for sublethal effects, with only two notable findings: a change in the average foraging angle of C. cubana larvae, and reduced survival in adult males of C. externa. However, based on the experiments conducted, we did not find sufficient evidence to confirm sublethal effects in these two lacewing species. Building on these results, we progressed to investigate the possible role of lacewing larvae as spore carriers of B. bassiana, aiming to reach the coffee borer’s hidden refuges. This was the focus of the third chapter, where we obtained promising results using first-instar larvae of both lacewing species as potential entomovectors for controlling the coffee berry borer under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. However, further field investigation and formulation improvements are necessary to enhance spore adhesion to the larval body. Still aiming to evaluate the compatibility of biocontrol inputs, the fourth chapter investigated the antifungal and hormetic potential of essential oil from Varronia curassavica (erva-baleeira) on B. bassiana. Results showed an inductive effect at low concentrations (0.2%) and an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations (above 0.8%). This confirmed a hormetic effect at lower doses—meaning that exposure to small amounts of a toxic substance or stressor can stimulate beneficial responses in organisms—and an antifungal effect at higher doses. Thus, further studies should consider incorporating the essential oil into B. bassiana formulations to enhance fungal activity, as well as exploring its antifungal potential for plant disease management. In conclusion, this thesis addressed important knowledge gaps in the integrated pest management of coffee crops, aligned with the principles of regenerative coffee farming. Keywords: chrysopidae; biological control; insect vectors; Beauveria bassiana; erva-baleeira.Item Decision-making control systems of Anthonomus grandis grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in cotton fields using machine learning and digital tools(Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 2025-07-31) Oliveira, Andréa Aparecida Santos; Picanço, Marcelo Coutinho; http://lattes.cnpq.br/3763421583509972The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis grandis Boh.) is one of the main pests of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), infesting the reproductive structures of the plant and causing significant losses, which can compromise up to 100% of production. Digital and machine learning systems are modern tools capable of performing tasks that would normally be performed by human intelligence and exhibiting high precision while doing that together with the incorporation of all the required variables for a decision-making system. Despite the importance of cotton crops and A. grandis grandis, currently there are no records of studies that had been carried out on the use of digital tools and machine learning for decision-making in the control of the boll weevil. Thus, this work aimed to determine a model for predicting the seasonal variation of A. grandis grandis populations in cotton crops using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and to develop a digital system for determining control levels for A. grandis grandis according to insecticide application technology, cotton lint price and crop yield. Although there are several ways to control the boll weevil, the most efficient is through the use of synthetic pesticides. The tools determined in this work are promising for optimizing the use of these pesticides, determining the appropriate time for pest control. Keywords: ANNs; digital systems; boll weevil; Gossypium hyrsutum.