Attacks by exotic insect pests are frequent problems in eucalyptus plantations. These insectsinclude the gall wasp (Leptocybe invasa) and bronze bug (Thaumastocoris peregrinus), whichwere detected in 2008, and the eucalyptus snout beetle (Gonipterus platensis). Classicbiological control and tree resistance have been the main tactics used by researchers to reducedamage from these pests. The objectives of this project include research on bioecology andmass breeding of these pests and their natural

Status: Completed     Start date: Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2017

Leaf-cutter ants (Atta spp. and Acromyrmex spp.) use fresh vegetation to cultivate the fungusthey eat, and consequently can have an economic impact on the agroforestry system as theymay cut and utilize various species that humans cultivate. In forestry, leaf-cutter ants are themost significant pest in pine and eucalyptus plantations because of the damage they cause andtheir broad range. Forest companies have created teams specifically to address this problem,principally through granulated ant ba

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019

The bronze bug (Thaumastocoris peregrinus) is a sap-sucking insect that was introduced inBrazil in 2008, and causes significant losses in eucalyptus plantations. This pest can bebiologically controlled by releasing the parasitoid Cleruchoides noackae, which is native toAustralia and was introduced in Brazil in 2012. Although this parasitoid is being established inmany places, bronze bug outbreaks continue to be variable and severe. This project is intendedto minimize this situation by boosting t

Status: Completed     Start date: Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019

Since 2013, yellowing of the needles (chlorosis) and decline of adult trees have been seen inplantations of Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) plantations in different parts of the Santa CatarinaPlateau. In addition to chlorosis, mortality has also been observed in the plantations to a lesserdegree, due to attack by the fungus Armillaria sp. Few data are available on the incidence andseverity of this disease, as well as its distribution in adult pine plantations. For this reason,further research is nee

Status: Completed     Start date: Wed May 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019

Nanomaterials have been proven effective for slow, controlled release of biocides andfertilizers. This project is intended to develop two products and expand their production scaleand field testing. One is a chemical ant control using nanoparticles of silica, neem oil, andorange pulp to attract leaf-cutter ants, which are one of the main pests affecting plantedforests. The other product is a slow/controlled release nitrogen fertilizer using nanoparticles ofsilica, calcium alginate, and nanofibri

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019

Psyllids are small sap sucking insects with generally very narrow host plant ranges. Some of them are pests that cause major economic losses in agriculture, on ornamental plants and in forestry. They damage the plants by directly removing large quantities of sap or by the transmitting diseases. The chemical control of red gum lerp psyllids in eucalypt plantations in Brazil, for instance, costs millions of reais per year due to intensive use of insecticides. Another example is the transmission of

Status: Completed     Start date: Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2013

Agricultural systems basically depend on ecological processes and services provided by ecosystems. These ecological processes and services, called ecosystem services or environmental services, relate to the conditions and processes through which ecosystems sustain human life by supplying provisions (food, timber, fiber and fuel production), regulation (of water, of climate, protection against droughts, flooding, storms, spread of diseases and soil degradation, waste purification), support (hydro

Status: Completed     Start date: Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2012

The effects of climate change can negatively affect productivity in agricultural and forest crops,and lead to a loss of biological diversity in tropical forests. On the other hand, forests areknown to be important in removing and storing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) in the soil and biomass,consume methane (CH 4 ), and have low emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2 O). Forests help regulatethe climate, provide ecosystem services, and are also related to the commitments contained inthe Paris Agreement, an int

Status: Completed     Start date: Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 GMT-03:00 2019