The objective was to evaluate the effect of the omission of macronutrient and micronutrient boron in dry matter production, the characterization of the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and mineral composition in plants of ipeca, an experiment was conducted in greenhouse conditions by the technique the missing element and visual diagnosis. A randomized block experimental design with four repetitions and the treatments were: complete and omissions of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and B. The analytical results demonstrated that the production of dry matter was affected in all of the treatments with omission of nutrients and that the ipeca plants presented characteristic symptoms of nutritional deficiencies due to the omissions of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and B and the concentrations of the macronutrients and of the micronutrient boron in the different parts of the ipeca plant varied when a certain nutrient was omitted in the solution.

The objective of this study to evaluate the nutritional value of cactus pear grown under different planting spacings and doses of cattle manure applied to soil. The experiment was implemented in an Oxisol in Guanambi, Bahia. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 12 treatments arranged in a factorial 3 x 4, four doses of cattle manure (0, 30, 60 and 90 Mg ha-1 yr-1) and three planting space, two in single rows (1,0 x 0,5 and 2,0 x 0,25 m) and a double row in (3,0 x 1,0 x 0,25 m) and three repetitions. In the planting spaces used, the same population density of 20,000 plants ha-1 was maintained. The nutritional value of cladodes was evaluated at 600 days after planting. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and subsequently comparisons were made between the means of different spacings by the Tukey Test and regression analysis for the different doses of manure and, when significant, interactions were unfolded. The manure of cattle increasingly influ- enced the content of crude protein, total nitrogen, protein and rapid intermediate degradation. There was a de- crease in hemicellulose levels, total carbohydrates, neutral and acid detergent insoluble nitrogen as a function of total nitrogen and indigestible protein. Thus, the increase in doses of manure applied to soil improves the quality of the nutritive value of forage palm and planting spaces barely influence the quality of cactus pear.

This work aimed to evaluate the repellent and deterrent effect of the application of concentra- tions of neem and chinaberry oil on bean leaves on the leaf beetles Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) and Cero- toma arcuata (Olivier). The concentrations of neem oil tested were 0.625, 1.25, 2.50, 5.00, 10.00 and 20,00 mL, corresponding respectively to 1, 2, 4, 8, 17 and 33 ppm of azadirachtin A and the concentrations of china- berry oil used were the same used to neem oil, corresponding, however, to 1.875, 3.75, 7.50, 15.00, 30.00 and 60.00 mg mL-1 of chinaberry extract, respectively. For the free-choice tests, glass containers were used as are- nas, whereas for the no-choice tests Petri dishes were used, where in both one insect per treatment was released in the center. Attractiveness was evaluated in predetermined time periods, in addition to the leaf consumption, at the end of the experiment. Neem oil is repellent to D. speciosa and C. arcuata, with more efficient results at the 5.00, 10.00 and 20.00 mL concentrations. All concentrations of neem oil reduce leaf consumption of both insects, except in the no-choice test with D. speciosa, in which only the 10.00 and 20.00 mL concentrations are deterrent. Chinaberry oil provides high repellent activity on both leaf beetle species, and the 10.00 and 20.00 mL concentrations stood out. The 10.00 and 20.00 mL concentrations of chinaberry oil are deterrent to D. spe- ciosa and C. arcuata.

Considering the potential of castor beans as an alternative for the production of renewable en- ergy and the lack of information regarding management techniques for its cultivation, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of irrigation water salinity (ECw) associated with nitrogen fertilization rates (DN) on growth, water consumption and efficiency of water use by castor bean cv. BRS Energia. The experiment was conducted in lysimeters under field conditions, atCCTA/UFCG, adopting a randomized block designin 5x5factorial scheme with three replications. Treatments consisted of five levels of ECw (0.4, 1.4, 2.4, 3.4 and 4.4 dS m-1) associated with five doses of nitrogen (50, 75, 100;125 and 150 mg kg-1). The increase in water salinity from 0.4 dS m-1 caused linear decrease in the absolute growth rate(TCAap), total leaf area(AF)at 35 days after sowing (DAS), the water consumption and water use efficiency (EUA) for castor bean cv. BRS Energia. Increasing levels of water salinity promoted increase in relative growth rate (TCRap). Nitrogen rate of 114 mg kg-1 increased TCRap and 150 mg kg-1of N promoted greater EUA. Increasing levels of nitrogen at- tenuated at 120 DAS, the effect of electrical conductivity up to salinity level of 2.4 dS m-1 on the leaf area pro- moting higher specific leaf area. There was a significant interaction between ECw and nitrogen levels on elec- trical conductivity and pH of drainage water. Keywords: Ricinus communis L. Quality of water. Mineral nutrition.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the g rowth of cowpea under the effect of herbicides fomesafen and bentazon + imazamox. The experiment w as conducted in a randomized block design, using th e split-plot scheme. In the plots were evaluated thre e weeds management systems (culture kept weeded by hoe- ing, with application of fomesafen (250 g ha -1 and the mixture of herbicides bentazon + imazamox (1.200 + 56 g ha -1 )) and in the subplots, 10 evaluation periods: 05, 12, 19, 26, 33, 40, 47, 54, 61 and 68 days after em er- gence (DAE). In each evaluation were collected rand omly in two of the four rows of the floor area of t he plots, three plants of cowpea to determine the following c haracteristics: leaf area, dry mass of leaves, stem , pods and total per plant, leaf area index, leaf area ratio, as well as the rates of absolute and relative growt h and of net assimilation. At harvest, we evaluated the number o f plants (stand), number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100-grain weight and grain yield. The fome safen caused severe intoxication in cowpea, delayin g flow- ering and harvest in seven days, while reducing pro ductivity. The mixture of the herbicides bentazon + ima- zamox did not affect the characteristics related to the growth of cowpea plants as well as the product ion compo- nents.

Fueron conducidos dos experimentos individuales en el municipio de Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Se empleó dos cultivares de melón, ‘Olimpic express’ (del tipo Cantaloupo) e ‘Iracema’ (del tipo Amarillo), para evaluar el crecimiento y la acumulación de macronutrientes, bajo el diseño de bloques al azar con siete tratamientos (épocas de muestreo) y tres repeticiones. Los muestreos de plantas fueron realizados a los 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 y 56 días después del trasplante (DDT). El crecimiento fue lento hasta 28 DDT en ambos cultivares evaluados, intensificándose en el periodo siguiente, alcanzando a los 56 DDT, 246.4g planta-1, en ‘Olimpic express’,y 266.9 g planta-1, en ‘Iracema’, siendo la materia seca (MS) de los frutos correspondientes a 60% y 64% de la MS total, respectivamente. Mayores acumulaciones de N, P y K fueron obtenidos en los frutos, mientras de Ca, Mg y S en las hojas. Al final del ciclo, en ‘Olimpic express’, cuya productividad fue de 32 t ha-1, fueron acumulados 173.4, 110.1, 101.1, 26.9, 15.6 y 13.5 kg ha-1 de K, Ca, N, Mg, S y P, respectivamente, y en ‘Iracema’, cuya productividad fue de 38 t ha-1, fueron acumulados 136.0, 93.9, 84.1, 22.6, 15.4 y 9.5 kg ha-1 de K, N, Ca, Mg, S y P, respectivamente. En relación al total acumulado, las exportaciones de N, P, K, Ca, Mg y S en los frutos fueron de 61, 73, 66, 9, 35 y 39% (‘Olimpic express’)y 58, 70, 55, 6, 33 y 41% (‘Iracema’). Con una menor producción de frutos y una mayor acumulación de nutrientes, ‘Olimpic express’ ha demostrado ser menos eficiente en el uso de nutrientes que ‘Iracema’.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soil management systems in no - tillage system (NTS) and crop rotations and on soil chemical properties. The experiment was conducted for six con- secutive years, during which were made 12 crops (summer and winter). The experimental design was com- pletely randomized in a split plot scheme. Treatments included four soil management (plots): P 1 = NTS fol- lowed annually for a plowing in the winter; P2 = NTS followed biennially for a plowing in the winter; P3 = NTS followed every three years for a plowing and P4 = continuous NTS. Subplots were crop rotation with crops in the summer and winter: R 1 = millet - common bean - millet - common bean - rice - common bean - millet - common bean - millet - common bean - rice - common bean; R 2 = Soybean - common bean - soybean - wheat - rice - soybean - common bean - soybean - wheat - rice - common bean; R 3 = corn - common bean - corn - tomato - rice - common bean - corn - common bean - corn - tomato - rice - common bean; R 4 = millet - soybean - common bean - rice - common bean - millet - soybean - common bean - rice - common bean; R 5 = millet - common bean - corn - common bean - rice - common bean - millet - common bean - corn - common bean - rice - common bean; R 6 = Soybean - common bean - corn – common bean - rice - soybean - corn - common bean - rice - common bean. Each rotation cycle of three years crop season was repeated twice. Systems of soil management and crop rotations significantly affected soil chemical properties. The chemical attributes Ca, Mg, organic matter, P, K, Mn and Zn concentrated in the top- soil regardless of the crop rotation used in the managements of less soil disturbance. The pH values were simi- lar during the 12 seasons in six years. The crop rotations used in different soil managements under NTS provid- ed the improvement of soil fertility with values of organic matter, P, K, Cu, Mn and Zn contents equal to or higher than the initial values.

This study was developed with the purpose of evaluating the protein fractionation and in vitro di- gestibility of the dry matter (IVDMD) of millet genotypes for grazing, managed at different heights and sub- jected to several cuts. The experiment had a randomized complete block design, with repeated measures over time, four replications in a 3x3 factorial arrangement, with three cultivars of millet (ADR 500, LAB 1542 and LAB 1838) and three average cutting heights (60; 80 and 100 cm). Evaluations were undertaken through cuts in the same plots during four months. Results showed that millet genotypes were similar as for the values of pro- tein fractionation and IVDMD. The forage quality is affected by the management of cutting height, thereby it is not recommended to manage millet genotypes at 100 cm height for providing lower fraction A, B1, B2 and digestibility and higher fraction B3 and C of the forage.

Browning discoloration after cutting is detrimental for the quality of a number of fruits and vegetables, such as banana, apple, pear, potato, and some roots such as cassava, yam, and others. Browning and softening compromise banana after cut shelf-life in a few hours under cold storage. Therefore, anti-browning compounds have been applied to slices before packing. Some commonly used substances are calcium chloride, ascorbic acid, cysteine and citric acid, in immersed inchemical mixtures. Recent studies have demonstrated the possibility of preserving fresh-cut banana immersed in sweetened fruit juice for relatively longer periods, favoring commercialization. This type of conservation, although widely used in Brazil for fruit salads, consists of a more complex system in a physiological basis, requiring adjustment of the solution parameters, such as sugar concentration, pH and acidity, considering the viability and freshness of the plant tissue. In this short review, we discuss some experimental data and present a new method for preserving fresh-cut banana. Reduction of enzymatic activity, either in temporary dipping treatment or permanent immersion of banana slices is regarded as a key factor for maintaining its quality during cold storage.

In semiarid regions the irrigation is essential for obtaining high yields and fruit quality of pine- apple. The objective of this work was to evaluate the vegetative characteristics, fruit and slips production and fruit quality of pineapple, under different drip irrigation depth. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with five treatments replacement of class A evaporation pan (PAN), with 4 replications. The vege- tative growth, flowering, production and fruit quality and slips production were evaluated. The plants of pine- apple that have received regarding the irrigation at 30, 50, 70, 100 and 150% of PAN do not differ for the char- acteristics of productivity, fruit weight with and without crown diameter and fruit length, skin color, total solu- ble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA), TSS / TTA and pH of the pulp. The pineapple 'Perola' has greater vegetative growth in irrigation depth applied between 67,1 and 79,1% of PAN. The natural flowering cumulative total is greater in depth corresponding to 70% of PAN. The slips production per plant and slips pro- ductivity is greater in depth corresponding to 85% of PAN.