The process of protein enrichment of cactus pear (Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck) by solid state fermentation with the use of Aspergillus niger and Rhyzopus sp. was studied for improving the nutritional value of this cactus species for use as animal feed. The experiments were conducted in the Agroindustrial Waste Laboratory of State University of Southwest Bahia (Brazil). To this end, we have evaluated the effects of biotransformation on the levels of protein, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, as well as the potential degradability. Bioconversion was carried out using cactus pear as the only substrate, without supplementation with nitrogen, mineral and vitamin sources. The fermentation with Aspergillus niger promoted a 78% increase in/of protein content and reductions of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin of 40%, 36%, and 28%, respectively. Degradability, in turn, was observed to have increased by 66 % after 240 h. On the other hand, the fermentation with Rhyzopus sp. was less efficient, with a 69% increase in protein content, and reductions in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of 30%, 28%, and 18%. In turn, degradability was seen to have increased by 51%. The fermentation of cactus pear by Aspergillus niger and Rhyzopus sp. exhibited the protein enrichment and increased protein degradability of this Cactaceae. Moreover, this is the most ever efficient micro-organism used in bioconversion. Based on the results, bioconversion of cactus is an excellent alternative to ruminant feeding in arid or semi-arid land.

The study aimed to model the drying curves of cowpea beans (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) in different temperatures determine the coefficient of effective diffusion and the activation energy. For this, we used seeds of beans-cowpea cultivar BRS Guariba, harvested manually, with a water content of 21% (wet basis), dried until the water content 11% (wet basis). Drying was performed in the experimental dryer under controlled temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 °C ± 1 °C, and relative humidity of the air drying between 14 and 59%. 12 models of non-linear regression were tested and for selection the best model was considered to: the significance of the regression coefficient t test, the magnitude of the adjusted coefficient of determination (R²), the average relative error (P) and the estimated average error (SE). It was observed that the drying time for of the beans-cowpea seeds was 10,4 ; 5,6 ; and 2,1 h to the temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 °C, respectively; among the number tested, the mathematical model the Midilli was the best fit to experimental data. The coefficient of diffusion increases with temperature, with values between 5,047 x 10-11 to 12,011 x 10-11 m² s -1 for the temperature range from 30 to 50 °C. The relationship between the coefficient of diffusion effective and the drying temperature can be described by Arrhenius equation, which presents activation energy of 35,04 kJ mol-1 for spreading the liquid in the drying process of the of beans-cowpea seeds.

The modeling for agriculture is a mathematical tool that allows us to weigh the effects of factors, environmental or management on crop productivity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of mathematical models, in the estimation of the productivity of maize over the need for nitrogen fertilization. Estimates of nitrogen fertilization were performed to obtain the potential productivity and depleted grain yield and silage corn genotypes. The Model 1 was based on estimates obtained in the literature and Model 2 on estimates generated by the proposed alternative model, calibrated with data observed in the experiment. To evaluate the performance of the models we used statistical indicators, such as Pearson correlation coefficient, Willmott agreement index, the performance index of Camargo, percentage deviation and medium square error. Recommendations of nitrogen generated by the models for the potential productivity and depleted much grain as silage were higher compared with the recommendations of the culture ways. The AG30A91 genotype had a higher leaf area index, reflecting higher estimates of potential productivity and depleted grain and silage. The model 2 can be used to estimate the yield of grain and silage and the need for simulation of nitrogen for grain production, however, requires adjustments to estimate nitrogen needs for the production of silage. Both models are efficient in simulating the crop cycle.

The millet is a forage with high yield potential, mainly due to its high tolerance to water deficit and adaptation to soils of low fertility. Even being adapted to soils of low fertility, it is responsive to nitrogen fertilization. The objective was to evaluate the growth and nutritional efficiency of millet forage cultivars, due to nitrogen (N). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a typical Yellow Oxisol Dystrophic. The experimental design was a completely randomized design, arranged in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme with six repetitions. The factors were the control treatment (without fertilization with N) and three doses of N (75, 150 and 225 kg ha-1 ) in the form of urea and ammonium sulfate and two cultivars of pearl millet (BN2 and ADR500). The harvest was performed 80 days after the emergency. The higher production of dry matter of aerial part was obtained with the estimated dose of 179 kg ha-1 of N. The cultivar ADR500 showed the highest height and greater efficiency of translocation, while the BN2 showed higher N content of the aerial part and roots. The greater efficiency of use and translocation of N were achieved with doses estimated for 109 and 133 ha-1 of N for the cultivars ADR500 and BN2, respectively.

F. graminearum is the main causal agent of Head blight in cereals in Argentina. This is a disease that develops during the host floral state. When the reproductive structures in the host are invaded, grains may be shriveled and reduced in weight, causing a decrease in yield. Physiological diagnostic techniques on seeds detect the damages produced by this fungus could be used to take decisions related to the quality of seed lots. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible physiological damage caused by F. graminearum isolates in soybean seeds and wheat caryopsis. Seeds and caryopsis were obtained from plants exposed to fungal infection and were evaluated under two situations: artificial inoculations under greenhouse conditions and natural infection from fields of Santa Fe Province (33°43’22’’S; 62°14’46’’W). Seed weight, topographical tetrazolium test, standard germination test, electrical conductivity test and X-ray test were performed in soybean seeds and wheat caryopsis from each treatment. Differential behaviors of F. graminearum strains in susceptible soybean and wheat cultivars under greenhouse conditions revealed specific interactions among soybean and wheat genotypes with this fungus. F. graminearum infection in susceptible cultivars under greenhouse conditions produced a significant decrease in the physiological quality of soybean seed and wheat caryopsis. These behaviors were not detected under field conditions in the evaluated locations. All seed quality tests used in this experiment were useful to show differences in infection in soybean and wheat independently of F. graminearum infectio

El presente experimento fue verificar las respuestas a la aplicación de micronutrientes por la aplicación de tratamiento de semillas y regulador del crecimiento vegetal. El diseño experimental fue de bloques al azar con nueve tratamientos y cuatro repeticiones. Los tratamientos fueron: 1) Testigo: semillas sólido (TS) con 3 % de P2O5, 2 % K2O, 0,17 % Cu, 2,8 % Mn y 6,2 % Zn a una dosis de 100 g ha-1 ; 2) TS a una dosis de 150 g ha-1 ; 3) TS a una dosis de 200 g ha-1 ; 4) semillas líquido (TL) con 2 % de P2O5, 1,5 % de K2O, 0,07 % de Cu, 1,2 % de Mn y 2,7 % de Zn a una dosis de 400 mL ha-1 ; 5) TL, dosis de 500 ml ha-1 , TL a una dosis de 600 mL ha-1 ; 6) regulador del crecimiento vegetal que tiene citoquinina + indol-butilo + ácido giberélico, posee clase toxicológica II, 0,09 g L-1 citoquinina 0,05 g de alcohol L-1 indol-butilo y 0,05 g L-1 de ácido giberélico, en una dosis de 500 mL ha-1 ; 7) un formulado NPK (08-28-16) 300 kg ha-1 . El tratamiento de semillas, ya sea en forma sólida o líquida, promueve un aumento en la acumulación de materia seca en la parte aérea y raíces, así como en el número de granos y en el rendimiento de granos de maíz, siendo la dosis de 600 mL ha-1 de la que promueve las mejores productividades.

This study was conducted to evaluate seed cotton yield, fiber yield, and fiber quality traits of cotton cultivars grown under different irrigation levels in Brazil. The experiment was conducted over two years in the region of Apodi – RN, with sprinkler irrigation. Treatments comprised of 4 irrigation levels i.e., 130, 100, 70 and 40 % of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and 4 cotton cultivars i.e., FiberMax 993, BRS 286, BRS 336 and BRS 335. The experimental design was factorial with randomized complete block design and four replicates. Yield, lint percent and fiber quality traits determined were evaluated. Different responses were observed for cultivars at various irrigation levels. Cultivars grown under limited irrigation exhibited a decline in the seed cotton yield, lint percent, and fiber quality. Cultivars with the highest yield and lint percent were FiberMax 993 and BRS 286. Within irrigation level of 40 % ETc, the medium fiber cultivars produced short fibers whereas the long fiber cultivar, BRS 336, produced medium fiber length. Overall, the different levels of water deficits did not significantly affect fiber quality of the four cultivars tested as all fiber quality traits re- mained acceptable for the domestic textile industry.

Proper planning of experiments in the culture of castor bean is one of the ways to maximize the research information. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum plot size and number of replications and the influence of spacing between plants in experiments involving castor bean crops. The experiment with the hybrid Sara was conducted at the Federal University of Santa Maria in 2010 with a spacing of 1.2 m be- tween rows and between plants of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 m. Each plant was evaluated taking into account: the number of racemes, fruit weight, the average length of the racemes, and fruit number, with the plant identification by the order number of the row and the number of plants within the row. The optimum plot size is eight plants for all spacings and all variables. However, the area of optimum plot size inside the spacing depends on the area occupied by the basic unit. Thus, the plot area is 3.84, 5.76 and 7.68 m 2 for each spacing of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 m, respectively. Twelve replications in randomized block design, are sufficient to identify, as significant at 5% probability, differences between treatment means of 27%.

ABSTRACT: Most banana plantations are still made using traditional clones per type horn and rhizomes. Other propagation methods such as micropropagation have been developed and perfected to raise the rate of multiplication in a short time and improve the health status of the seedlings. However, contamination by bacteria and fungi is one of the biggest problems of this technique. The aim was to evaluate the in vitro disinfestation using active chlorine concentrations of banana explants 'Farta Velhaco'. The experimental design used was completely randomized consisting of five treatments and five repetition, each replicate represented by five explants in different concentrations of active chlorine for twenty minutes: T1 - without active chlorine, T2 - 0.5% active chlorine, T3 - 1.0% of active chlorine, T4 - 1.5% active chlorine and T5 - 2% active chlorine. The percentages of contamination by bacteria and fungi as well as the percentage of oxidation of the explants were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression analysis. The results showed that the highest efficiency among the tested treatments was the immersion of explants in 1% of active chlorine that caused a reduction in 95% and 90% respectively for bacteria and fungi and 60% of explants oxidation. It was concluded that this concentration can be used to control contamination for micropropagation of banana 'Farta Velhaco'. | RESUMO: A maioria dos plantios de bananeira são realizados utilizando mudas tradicionais do tipo chifre e rizomas. Outros métodos de propagação, como a micropropagação, vêm sendo desenvolvidos e aperfeiçoados com fim a elevar a taxa de multiplicação em curto espaço de tempo e melhorar a qualidade fitossanitária das mudas. Contudo, a contaminação por bactérias e fungos é um dos maiores problemas dessa técnica. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a desinfestação in vitro utilizando concentrações de cloro ativo em explantes de bananeira 'Farta Velhaco'. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado constituído de cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições, sendo cada uma destas representada por cinco explantes em diferentes concentrações de cloro ativo durante vinte minutos, quais sejam: T1 - testemunha sem cloro ativo; T2 - 0,5% de cloro ativo; T3 - 1,0% de cloro ativo; T4 - 1,5% de cloro ativo; e T5 - 2% de cloro ativo. Foram avaliadas as porcentagens de contaminação por bactérias e fungos, como também a porcentagem de oxidação dos explantes. Os dados foram submetidos às análises de variância e de regressão. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a maior eficiência dentre os tratamentos testados foi o de imersão dos explantes em 1% de cloro ativo, o qual proporcionou redução em 95% e 90%, respectivamente, para bactérias e fungos e 60% dos explantes oxidados. Concluiu-se que essa concentração pode ser utilizada para o controle de contaminações para micropropagação de bananeira ´Farta Velhaco'.

RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o crescimento vegetativo e a produtividade da bananeira cv. "Nanicão" cultivada sobre coberturas de solo com leguminosas herbáceas perenes no semiárido. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, em esquema de parcelas subsubdivididas no tempo, sendo nas parcelas o fator "A" constituído por três manejos de cobertura do solo, pelas leguminosas cudzu tropical ( Calopogonium mucunoides ), calopogônio ( Pueraria phaseoloides ) e solo descoberto (solo capinado), fator "B" nas subparcelas e plantas de bananeiras em três idades morfofisiológicas (diferentes ciclos e tamanhos), e o fator "C" datas das coletas nas subparcelas. O cultivo de bananeira em solo sob cobertura viva com calopogônio e cudzu tropical na região do semiárido promoveu aumento no número e peso do fruto, pencas e cachos. | ABSTRACT: This work aimed to evaluate the growth and yield of banana cv. "Nanicão", in intercropping with live coverage crops in the semi-arid region. The experiment was analysed as a randomized complete block with four replications. The experiment used a split-plot design, and some variables were sub-subdivided over time. In the plots, factor "A", made of three management strategies of soil cover - the leguminous, calopo and tropical kudzu, and bare soil (hoed soil); Factor "B", on the sub-plots, banana plants in three morphophysiological ages (different cycles and sizes) and factor "C", dates of collections in the sub-plots. The cultivation of banana cv. Nanicão in soil under live coverage with calopo and tropical kudzu in the semi-arid region promotes an increase in the number of fruits, fruit weight and bunches.