The present study was conducted with the objective of analyzing the covariance structure and repeatability estimates of the variables related to guava productivity, such as fruit weight (FW), fruit number (FN) and fruit production (FP) of three harvests, in 95 genotypes of a segregating population. The study also aims to choose the most appropriate covariance structure of the observations within the same individual by means of AIC (Akaike's Information Criterion) and SBC (Schwarz's Bayesian Criterion) criteria. A covariance structure between repeated measures could be incorporated into the statistical model, with the self-regression and compound symmetry forms being the most adequate. The values of repeatability coefficients obtained for FW (0.25), FN (0.14), and FP (0.29) were considered low, indicating that the three harvests were not sufficient to select the best individuals with greater accuracy for the study population. For the variables PF and FP, estimates of accuracy around 0.50 could be obtained from five measurements, while for the variable FN more harvests would be necessary. These values indicate that in guava-segregating populations, evaluations in the first harvests are not enough to select more stable genotypes for the variables considered in this study.

RESUMO O presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de analisar estrutura de covariância e estimativas de repetibilidade das variáveis relacionadas à produtividade da goiabeira como massa dos frutos (MF), número de frutos (NF) e produção de frutos (PROD) de três safras, em 95 genótipos de uma população segregante. E por meio dos critérios de AIC (Akaike’s Information Criterion) e SBC (Schwarz’s Bayesian Criterion) escolher a estrutura de covariância mais adequada das observações dentro de um mesmo indivíduo. Foi possível incorporar ao modelo estatístico, uma estrutura de covariância entre medidas repetidas, sendo as formas autorregressiva e simetria composta as mais adequadas. Os valores dos coeficientes de repetibilidade obtidos para PF (0,25), NF (0,14) e PROD (0,29) foram considerados baixos, indicando que para a população em estudo as três safras realizadas não foram suficientes para selecionar os melhores indivíduos com maior acurácia. Para as variáveis PF e PROD, a partir de cinco medições seria possível a obtenção de estimativas de acurácias em torno de 0,50. Enquanto que para a variável NF, observou-se que mais safras seriam necessárias. Estes valores indicam que em populações segregantes de goiabeira, avaliações nas primeiras safras, não são suficientes para seleção de genótipos mais estáveis para as variáveis consideradas neste estudo. | ABSTRACT The present study was conducted with the objective of analyzing the covariance structure and repeatability estimates of the variables related to guava productivity, such as fruit weight (FW), fruit number (FN) and fruit production (FP) of three harvests, in 95 genotypes of a segregating population. The study also aims to choose the most appropriate covariance structure of the observations within the same individual by means of AIC (Akaike's Information Criterion) and SBC (Schwarz's Bayesian Criterion) criteria. A covariance structure between repeated measures could be incorporated into the statistical model, with the self-regression and compound symmetry forms being the most adequate. The values of repeatability coefficients obtained for FW (0.25), FN (0.14), and FP (0.29) were considered low, indicating that the three harvests were not sufficient to select the best individuals with greater accuracy for the study population. For the variables PF and FP, estimates of accuracy around 0.50 could be obtained from five measurements, while for the variable FN more harvests would be necessary. These values indicate that in guava-segregating populations, evaluations in the first harvests are not enough to select more stable genotypes for the variables considered in this study.

The effects of biochar and nitrogen application on yields of upland rice and cowpea and on soil fertility were determined in a greenhouse in Macaíba, RN, Brazil. The trial consisted of the succession of two crops in a completely randomized design and a factorial scheme, with four replicates. Initially, four doses of biochar and four doses of nitrogen were tested for cultivation of rice. Subsequently, four doses of biochar and two doses of nitrogen were tested in half of the pots maintained for planting cowpea. Soil was sampled after rice harvest for half of the pots and at end of the trial for the remaining pots. We evaluated the following parameters: mass of hundred grains of rice, dry shoot mass, panicle number, number of filled spikelets and of empty spikelets, and grain production. Determinations for cowpea were: pod number per pot, grain number per pod, and grain production per pot. Measured soil parameters were: pH, contents of organic carbon, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable sodium percentage. Biochar addition did not influence yield components of upland rice and cowpea, but resulted in increased soil N retention, which influenced rice dry shoot mass, spikelets sterility, panicle number, and grain mass. Biochar also promoted increased soil pH, potassium content, and exchangeable sodium percentage and decreased calcium and magnesium concentrations.

ABSTRACT The effects of biochar and nitrogen application on yields of upland rice and cowpea and on soil fertility were determined in a greenhouse in Macaíba, RN, Brazil. The trial consisted of the succession of two crops in a completely randomized design and a factorial scheme, with four replicates. Initially, four doses of biochar and four doses of nitrogen were tested for cultivation of rice. Subsequently, four doses of biochar and two doses of nitrogen were tested in half of the pots maintained for planting cowpea. Soil was sampled after rice harvest for half of the pots and at end of the trial for the remaining pots. We evaluated the following parameters: mass of hundred grains of rice, dry shoot mass, panicle number, number of filled spikelets and of empty spikelets, and grain production. Determinations for cowpea were: pod number per pot, grain number per pod, and grain production per pot. Measured soil parameters were: pH, contents of organic carbon, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable sodium percentage. Biochar addition did not influence yield components of upland rice and cowpea, but resulted in increased soil N retention, which influenced rice dry shoot mass, spikelets sterility, panicle number, and grain mass. Biochar also promoted increased soil pH, potassium content, and exchangeable sodium percentage and decreased calcium and magnesium concentrations. | RESUMO Os efeitos da aplicação de carvão vegetal e nitrogênio sobre a produtividade de arroz de terras altas e feijão-caupi e a fertilidade do solo foram determinados em ambiente protegido em Macaíba, RN, Brasil. O experimento constou de dois cultivos sucessivos em delineamento experimental completamente casualizado em arranjo fatorial, com quatro repetições. Inicialmente, foram testadas quatro doses de carvão vegetal e quatro de nitrogênio para a cultura do arroz. A seguir, foi cultivado feijão-caupi em metade dos vasos (quatro doses de carvão e duas de nitrogênio). O solo foi amostrado após a colheita do arroz, em metade dos vasos, e ao final do experimento, nos vasos restantes. Do arroz foram determinados, massa de cem grãos e, por vaso, massa seca da parte aérea, número de panículas, número de grãos cheios e grãos vazios e produção de grãos. Do feijão-caupi foram determinados: número de vagens por vaso, número de grãos por vagem e produção de grãos por vaso. No solo foram determinados: pH, teores de carbono orgânico, P, K, Ca, Mg e Na, capacidade de troca de cátions e percentagem de sódio trocável. As doses de carvão vegetal não influenciaram nas características de produção do arroz e feijão-caupi, mas favoreceram a retenção de nitrogênio no solo, que se refletiu sobre massa seca da parte aérea do arroz, esterilidade das espiguetas, número de panículas e massa dos grãos. Além disso, promoveram aumento no pH, teor de potássio e percentagem de sódio trocável do solo, com diminuição no teor de cálcio e magnésio.

This study aimed to define areas suitable, and the irrigation water requirement for, cultivation of Tanzania guineagrass in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Tanzania guineagrass yield was estimated by a mathematical model, which considers the crop actual evapotranspiration, resulting from the crop climatological water balance. The water requirement throughout the year was estimated for soils with a water holding capacity of 20 (shallow soils), 40 (sandy soils), 60 (soils with medium texture) and 100 mm (clay soils). The relative frequency of occurrence of monthly productions greater than 2,750 kg DM ha-1 month-1 was obtained for different areas in Ceará, representative of most of the state's economic mesoregions. Tanzania guineagrass annual yields in the state of Ceará were between 20,000-30,000 kg DM ha-1 year-1. During the rainy season, the productive potential varies with the economic mesoregion, which presents different climatic conditions. The state of Ceará is only suitable for the rainfed production of Tanzania guineagrass for 4 months each year, predominantly from February to May, while weather conditions do not favor the development of this grass in the remaining months.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to define areas suitable, and the irrigation water requirement for, cultivation of Tanzania guineagrass in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Tanzania guineagrass yield was estimated by a mathematical model, which considers the crop actual evapotranspiration, resulting from the crop climatological water balance. The water requirement throughout the year was estimated for soils with a water holding capacity of 20 (shallow soils), 40 (sandy soils), 60 (soils with medium texture) and 100 mm (clay soils). The relative frequency of occurrence of monthly productions greater than 2,750 kg DM ha-1 month-1 was obtained for different areas in Ceará, representative of most of the state's economic mesoregions. Tanzania guineagrass annual yields in the state of Ceará were between 20,000-30,000 kg DM ha-1 year-1. During the rainy season, the productive potential varies with the economic mesoregion, which presents different climatic conditions. The state of Ceará is only suitable for the rainfed production of Tanzania guineagrass for 4 months each year, predominantly from February to May, while weather conditions do not favor the development of this grass in the remaining months. | RESUMO O objetivo desse trabalho foi delimitar áreas aptas e o requerimento hídrico de irrigação para cultivo do capim Tanzânia no estado do Ceará. A produtividade do capim Tanzânia foi obtida a partir de um modelo matemático que assume os valores da evapotranspiração real, resultante do balanço hídrico climatológico da cultura. A necessidade hídrica para reposição de água ao longo do ano para solos com capacidade de água disponível de 20 (solos rasos), 40 (solos arenosos), 60 (solos de textura média) e 100 mm (solos argilosos). A partir da TAMS obteve-se a frequência relativa de ocorrência de produtividade mensal em diferentes municípios Cearense. Os valores de produtividade do capim Tanzânia no estado do Ceará predominaram entre 20.000 e 30.000 kg MS ha-1 ano-1. Durante os meses chuvosos o potencial produtivo varia em função da mesorregião econômica, as quais apresentam condições climáticas distintas. Portanto, o estado do Ceará possui aptidão para produção do capim Tanzânia, sob regime de sequeiro, durante apenas quatro meses, predominantemente, de fevereiro a maio, sendo que as condições climáticas não favorecem o desenvolvimento do capim nos demais meses.

The objective of this research was to evaluate combinations of cultivars of coriander and arugula in two croppings with cultivars of carrot in a strip-intercropping system. The study was conducted from November 2014 to March 2015. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a 2 x 2 x 2 + 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments consisted of the combination of two cultivars of coriander (Verdão and Português) with two cultivars of carrot (Brasília and Esplanada) and two cultivars of arugula (Cultivada and Folha Larga) in a strip-intercropping system plus two additional treatments, where the first represents the cultivars in monocropping and the second the cultivation types (monocropping and intercropping). The characteristics evaluated in the coriander and arugula were green mass yield and shoot dry mass. The following were evaluated in carrot: shoot dry mass, dry mass of roots, total and commercial productivity, and classified productivity of roots. In the intercropping system, the agronomic indices of land equivalent ratio, productive efficiency index, and score of the canonical variable were evaluated. The economic efficiency indicators determined were gross and net income, rate of return, profit margin, monetary advantage, and modified monetary advantage. There was no significant interaction among the cultivars of coriander, carrot, and arugula for coriander and arugula green mass yields, and for total and commercial productivities of carrot roots. The best polyculture was of that involved in the cultivars ―Português,‖ ―Esplanada,‖ and ―Cultivada‖.

RESUMO O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar combinações de cultivares de coentro e rúcula em bicultivo com cultivares de cenoura em sistema consorciado de faixas. O estudo foi desenvolvido de novembro de 2014 a março de 2015. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 + 2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de duas cultivares de coentro (Verdão e Português), com duas cultivares de cenoura (Brasília e Esplanada) e duas cultivares de rúcula (Cultivada e Folha Larga) em sistema de consórcio em faixas, mais dois tratamentos adicionais, onde o primeiro representa as cultivares em monocultivo e o segundo os tipos de cultivo (monocultivo e consórcio). As características avaliadas no coentro e na rúcula foram: rendimento de massa verde e massa seca da parte aérea. Na cenoura foram avaliados: massa seca da parte aérea, massa seca de raízes, produtividade total e comercial e produtividade classificada de raízes. No sistema de consórcio, foram avaliados os índices agronômicos: índice de uso eficiente de terra, índice de eficiência produtiva e pontuação da variável canônica. Os indicadores de eficiência econômica determinados foram: lucro bruto e líquido, taxa de retorno, margem de lucro, vantagem monetária e vantagem monetária corrigida. Não houve interação significativa entre as cultivares de coentro, cenoura e rúcula nos rendimentos de massa verde de coentro e de rúcula e nas produtividades total e comercial de raízes de cenoura. A melhor policultura foi a que envolveu a cultivar ―Português‖, ―Esplanada‖ e ―Cultivada‖. | ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate combinations of cultivars of coriander and arugula in two croppings with cultivars of carrot in a strip-intercropping system. The study was conducted from November 2014 to March 2015. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a 2 x 2 x 2 + 2 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments consisted of the combination of two cultivars of coriander (Verdão and Português) with two cultivars of carrot (Brasília and Esplanada) and two cultivars of arugula (Cultivada and Folha Larga) in a strip-intercropping system plus two additional treatments, where the first represents the cultivars in monocropping and the second the cultivation types (monocropping and intercropping). The characteristics evaluated in the coriander and arugula were green mass yield and shoot dry mass. The following were evaluated in carrot: shoot dry mass, dry mass of roots, total and commercial productivity, and classified productivity of roots. In the intercropping system, the agronomic indices of land equivalent ratio, productive efficiency index, and score of the canonical variable were evaluated. The economic efficiency indicators determined were gross and net income, rate of return, profit margin, monetary advantage, and modified monetary advantage. There was no significant interaction among the cultivars of coriander, carrot, and arugula for coriander and arugula green mass yields, and for total and commercial productivities of carrot roots. The best polyculture was of that involved in the cultivars ―Português,‖ ―Esplanada,‖ and ―Cultivada‖.

The use of biofloc technology (BFT) can improve fish production in regions with low water availability. Therefore, information on dynamics of water quality is essential for success in fish rearing. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the water quality for Nile tilapia farming in a system without water exchange, during the fingerling stage, using different sources of carbon and C:N ratios. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) ratios (10:1 and 20:1) and three carbon sources (sugar, molasses and cassava starch). The C:N ratio and carbon source affected the variables alkalinity, settleable solids (SS), turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS), showing significantly higher values at C:N ratio of 20:1 (P < 0.05). The best carbon source for microbial floc formation were the molasses and sugar, under C:N ratios of 10:1 and 20:1. The stability of the monitored water quality parameters occurred from 6 to 7 weeks of rearing. The growth performance of Nile tilapia in BFT system fertilized with different organic carbon sources was not significantly different (P < 0.05) between treatments. The use of molasses to fertilize BFT systems can reduce costs of production in regions where this product is available.

RESUMO O uso da tecnologia de biofloco (BFT) pode contribuir para a produção de peixes em regiões com reduzida água. Portanto, compreender a dinâmica da qualidade da água é essencial para o sucesso do cultivo de peixes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a qualidade da água no cultivo de tilápia do Nilo em sistema sem troca de água, durante a fase de alevinagem, utilizando diferentes fontes de carbono e relações C:N. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o arranjo fatorial 2x3, contendo duas relações carbono (C) e nitrogênio (N) (10:1 e 20:1) e três fontes de carbono (açúcar, melaço e amido de mandioca). Ambas as relações C:N e fontes de carbono influenciaram as variáveis alcalinidade, sólidos sedimentáveis (SS), turbidez e sólidos suspensos totais (SST) demonstrando valores significativamente mais elevados na relação C:N 20:1 (P < 0,05). As melhores fontes de carbono para a formação de flocos microbianos foram observados na utilização do melaço e açúcar na relação C:N de 10:1 e 20:1. A estabilidade dos parâmetros de qualidade de água monitorados ocorreu entre a 6 e 7 semanas de cultivo. O desempenho de tilapia do Nilo em sistema BFT fertilizado com diferentes fontes de carbono orgânico não foi significativamente diferente (P < 0,05) entre os tratamentos. A escolha de melaço para a fertilização do sistema BFT também pode ajudar a reduzir o custo de produção em regiões onde há disponibilidade deste produto. | ABSTRACT The use of biofloc technology (BFT) can improve fish production in regions with low water availability. Therefore, information on dynamics of water quality is essential for success in fish rearing. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the water quality for Nile tilapia farming in a system without water exchange, during the fingerling stage, using different sources of carbon and C:N ratios. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with two carbon (C) to nitrogen (N) ratios (10:1 and 20:1) and three carbon sources (sugar, molasses and cassava starch). The C:N ratio and carbon source affected the variables alkalinity, settleable solids (SS), turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS), showing significantly higher values at C:N ratio of 20:1 (P < 0.05). The best carbon source for microbial floc formation were the molasses and sugar, under C:N ratios of 10:1 and 20:1. The stability of the monitored water quality parameters occurred from 6 to 7 weeks of rearing. The growth performance of Nile tilapia in BFT system fertilized with different organic carbon sources was not significantly different (P < 0.05) between treatments. The use of molasses to fertilize BFT systems can reduce costs of production in regions where this product is available.

In flood plains, cover crops are able to alter soil properties and significantly affect rice nutrition and yield. The aims of this study were to determine soil properties, plant nutrition, and yield of tropical rice cultivated on flood plains after cover crop cultivation with conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage system (NTS) at low and high nitrogen (N) fertilization levels. The experimental design was a randomized block in a split-split-plot scheme with four replications. In the main plots were cover crops sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea and C. spectabilis), velvet bean (Mucuna aterrima), jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and a fallow field. In the subplots were the tillage systems (CT or NTS). The nitrogen fertilization levels in the sub-subplots were (10 kg N ha-1 and 45 kg N ha-1). All cover crops except Japanese radish significantly increased mineral soil nitrogen and nitrate concentrations. Sunhemp, velvet bean, and cowpea significantly increased soil ammonium content. The NTS provides higher mineral nitrogen and ammonium content than that by CT. Overall, cover crops provided higher levels of nutrients to rice plants in NTS than in CT. Cover crops provide greater yield than fallow treatments. Rice yield was higher in NTS than in CT, and greater at a higher rather than lower nitrogen fertilization level.

ABSTRACT In flood plains, cover crops are able to alter soil properties and significantly affect rice nutrition and yield. The aims of this study were to determine soil properties, plant nutrition, and yield of tropical rice cultivated on flood plains after cover crop cultivation with conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage system (NTS) at low and high nitrogen (N) fertilization levels. The experimental design was a randomized block in a split-split-plot scheme with four replications. In the main plots were cover crops [sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea and C. spectabilis), velvet bean (Mucuna aterrima), jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)] and a fallow field. In the subplots were the tillage systems (CT or NTS). The nitrogen fertilization levels in the sub-subplots were (10 kg N ha-1 and 45 kg N ha-1). All cover crops except Japanese radish significantly increased mineral soil nitrogen and nitrate concentrations. Sunhemp, velvet bean, and cowpea significantly increased soil ammonium content. The NTS provides higher mineral nitrogen and ammonium content than that by CT. Overall, cover crops provided higher levels of nutrients to rice plants in NTS than in CT. Cover crops provide greater yield than fallow treatments. Rice yield was higher in NTS than in CT, and greater at a higher rather than lower nitrogen fertilization level. | RESUMO O uso de plantas de cobertura pode alterar atributos do solo e afetar significativamente a nutrição das plantas e produtividade do arroz cultivado em planícies inundáveis. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar atributos do solo, nutrição de plantas e produtividade do arroz irrigado tropical em planícies irrigáveis por inundação após o cultivo de plantas de cobertura, no preparo convencional do solo (PC) ou sistema plantio direto (SPD) em baixa e alta adubação com N. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, no esquema de parcelas sub-subdivdidas, com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas estavam as coberturas vegetais [Crotalaria juncea, C. spectabilis, mucuna preta (Mucuna aterrina), feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformis), feijão guandu (Cajanus cajan), nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus), feijão caupi (Vigna unguiculata) e pousio], nas subparcelas o sistema de preparo do solo (PC ou SPD) e nas sub-subparcelas a adubação nitrogenada (10 e 45 kg ha-1 N). As plantas de cobertura, com exceção do nabo forrageiro, proporcionam incrementos nos teores de N total e nitrato no solo. C. juncea, C. spectabilis, mucuna preta e feijão caupi proporcionam incrementos nos teores de amônio no solo. O SPD proporciona maiores teores de N total e amônio do que o PC. No âmbito geral, as plantas de cobertura proporcionaram maiores teores de nutrientes nas plantas de arroz no SPD do que no PC. As plantas de cobertura também proporcionaram maior produtividade do arroz em relação ao tratamento pousio. O rendimento do arroz é maior em SPD do que PC, e superior com alto nível de adubação nitrogenada.