The objective this work was to study the drying of integers grains of pumpkin, grains without tegument and grain flour of pumpkin in an oven with forced air circulation at temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C and adjust the mathematical models of the Diffusion Approximation, Two Term Exponential, Hen- derson and Pabis, Logarithmic and Page, to the experimental values. The fit of the mathematical models to data from the drying kinetics was performed using analysis of nonlinear regression, through Quasi-Newton method, using the software Statistica 5.0. As a criterion for adjustment of the models the coefficient of determination and mean-square deviation were used. It was observed that processing influenced the time of drying, where the samples of grain flour of pumpkin demanded a shortest time to reach equilibrium. For samples of integers grains of pumpkin and grains without tegument, the model that best fitted the experimental data was of the Dif- fusion Approximation at all temperatures studied; for samples of grain flour, the logarithmic model was the best fit to drying curve.

The Caatinga is a vegetation that occurs exclusively in Brazil, typically in the Northeastern region and studies on the floristic composition and phytosociological are prerequisites for understanding the behavior, distribution and structure of the vegetation. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a phytosociological survey of an area approximately 191 hectares of Caatinga, located within of the Unity Conservation area Grota do Angico Natural Monument, Sergipe state, Brazil. To conduct this study, we used the method of fixed area and the process of systematic sampling, where all individuals included in the 30 plots that showed CAP (circumference at breast height) greater than 6 cm were measured. In total of the survey, we identified 24 species in 20 genres and 12 families. The families with the higher number of species were Fabaceae, Euphorbiaceae e Anacardicaceae. Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) L. P. Queiroz, Jatropha mollissima (Pohl.) Baill., Bauhinia cheilantha, Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan. and Mimosa tenuiflora were the most representative species for the phytosociological indices (density, cover, frequency and important value index). The basal area at the study site was 6,95 m2 ha-1 and the volume 28,42 m3 ha-1.

Our objective was to evaluate the chemical composit ion and in vitro digestibility of dry matter of hydrolyzed sugar cane in different storage times . We conducted the trial in the Forage Sector at UN IFENAS, campus of Alfenas (MG) in 2010. The data were analy zed as completely randomized design in factorial sc heme 2 (sugar cane without lime and hydrolyzed with 1.0% of lime, basis of fresh matter) x 6 (six times of storage: 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours), with three replicate s. The sugar cane stored without lime showed lower dry mat- ter (DM), crude protein, neutral detergent fiber an d acid detergent fiber contents compared to hydroly zed sugar cane. However, the hydrolyzed sugar cane showed hig her contents of organic matter (OM) and total diges tible nutrients. We reported higher in vitro digestibility of DM and OM when the sugar cane was not hydrolyzed. This can be explaining by better chemical compositi on of sugar cane without lime. The storage of sugar cane without lime shows results more interesting because the chemical composition and digestibility is bett er than hydrolyzed sugar cane. So, we not recommended using lime on the sugar cane. Moreover, the sugar cane w ith- out lime can be stored until 96 hours after cut.

Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp] have great social and economic importance for the Para State. It grows well in areas with low precipitation and two crop cycles can be obtained annually. This study aimed to assess the effect of the residual fertilization from a previous culture (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) and crop systems on cowpea yield and macronutrient concentration on leaves of three cowpea cultivars (BRS- Milênio, BRS-Urubuquara e BRS-Guariba). The study was conducted at the UFRA. The treatments were two crop systems (minimum tillage and conventional), four levels of potassium (50, 100, 200 e 300 kg de KCl ha-1 applied to a previous sorghum culture) and the three cowpea cultivars. Treatments were organized as a three (4 x 2 x 3) factor experiment on a randomized complete block design. The soil was a yellow latosol. In each ex- periment plot five plants were selected to determine shoot dry matter and foliar nutrient concentration. Grain yield was determined after harvesting all plants on the experiment plot. The residual KCl fertilization affected foliar nutrient content, but did not affect shoot dry mass or yield of grain. Yield was higher in the minimum tillage system. Highest yield (1590 kg ha-1) was recorded int the cv. ‘Guariba’ when 100 kg of KCl ha-1 had been used in the previous crop. The highest content of leaf N and K was found in cowpea under minimum till- age system. The amount of P and Mg were higher in the conventional system whereas the amount of Ca did not change.

The mama-cadela (Brosimum gaudichaudii Trécul) is a species of the Brazilian cerrado consid- ered a priority for conservation and management of plant genetic resources. The roots of B. gaudichaudii are used to obtain psoralen and bergapten to produce medicine against vitiligo. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seed size and levels of shading in the early development of seedlings of B. gaudichaudii. It was used a completely randomized experimental design in factorial scheme 3 x 3, three seed sizes (small, medium and large) and three shade conditions (0%, 30% and 60%), with four replications of 25 seeds. These characteristics were percentage of emergence and survival, height, basal diameter, height/diameter and number of leaves of seedlings until 120 days after sowing. The highest percentage emergence occurred in 60% shading and large seeds (70%). These seeds originate seedlings with higher height (20.4 cm) and smaller basal diameter (1.4 cm), while small seeds at the same level of shading formed smaller height (8 cm) and basal diameter (2 4 cm) of seedlings. The number of leaves was higher in cultivated plants in full sun and was not influenced by the size of the seed. The height/diameter was lower for seedlings grown in full sun. The highest quality of seedlings of B. gaudichaudii is obtained with large seeds provided no shading.

Rio Grande do Norte state despite having favorable conditions for growing garlic, currently depends on imports of this product to meet its domestic demand. Evaluation of cultivars from of other regions of Brazil was determined in order to verify the agronomic performance under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Mossoró. region The study consisted of an experiment conducted in the city of Mossoro from June to November/ 2011. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications and eleven treatments, cultivars Amarante, Branco Mossoró, Caturra, Chinês Real, Chinês São Joaquim, Cateto Roxo, Gravatá, Gigante do Núcleo, Gigante Lavinia , Gigante Roxo and Hozan. Cultivars Branco Mossoró, Caturra, Cateto Roxo and Gravatá had a greater percentage of plants with bulb and larger diameter bulb, indicating adaptability conditions of Mossoró. Most total yield bulbs) was recorded by cultivar Branco Mossoró presented 65.22% and 11.53% distributed in bulb diameter grades 3 (32 to 37 mm) and 4 (37 to 42 mm), respectively.

The aim of this work was to study the physiological responses of three contrasting cultivars of sugar cane subject to water stress and rewatering, The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, where the cultivars SP83-2847, SP80-1842 and SP81-3250 were grown in pots. The first assessment was done after 85 days of planting, then two treatments were implemented, i.e. without water stress (-D) and with water stress (+D) by withholding water for 15 days and rewatering imposed for 12 days after the stress period. Cultivars SP81-3250 and SP80-1842 showed a higher decline in the Fv/Fm ratio, leaf relative water content (RWC), leaf water potential (Ψw), SPAD index and photosynthetic pigments due to water deficit. Drought caused less damage in the physiology of the variety SP83-2847, and it still showed rapid recovery during rewatering, including for the stomatal conductance (gs), so this variety had better adaptation under this condition. The traits Fv/Fm, Ψw, RWC, SPAD index and photosynthetic pigments present as potential physiological indicators in order to select tolerant sugar cane cultivars to water deficit. The trait gs is more effective in differentiating the tolerant cultivars during rewatering.

The supply adequate of lime and phosphorus fertiliz er for cowpea beans can contribute for the increased of the productivity and the nutritional v alue of the grains. Therefore the effect of the pho sphate fer- tilization and the base saturation was evaluated on the growth and the productivity of the cowpea bean s of a Typic Hapludox. The experimental delineation was bl ock randomized, with eight replicates in factorial project 4 x 2, corresponding to the combination of four of phosphorus (P) levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 kg ha -1 of P 2 O 5 ) and two base saturations (50 and 60%). It was used to c ultivate BR3-Tracuateua, sown to provide 80,000 pla nts/ha. In period of flowering were collected two samples r epresentative in each plot for the determination of the dry mass aerial part. The dry mass aerial part producti on had a significant effect for interaction between the base saturation and phosphorus rate, the maximum product ion was reached in saturation of 50%, corresponding to the dose of 45 kg ha -1 . The components of output and weight of dry mass o f pods and grains also had signifi- cant effects on the interaction P x base saturation , and the highest production occurred in the base s aturation of 60% with the initial dose (25 kg ha -1 of P 2 O 5 ) of phosphorus. The maximum production estimated o f grains that corresponding to 90% was hit with the doses of 11.3 and 10.2 kg ha -1 P 2 O 5 , with base saturation of 60%.

In the search for more sustainable energy sources, it has been invested in renewable energy sources like the biodiesel. However, for certification sustainable it is necessary that the energy generated by the biofuel is greater than the energy required for the entire production process. In this context, nitrogen fertilization has been a challenge because are large energy expenditures to obtain it, then, the use of alternative sources of nitrogen in agriculture may enable the environmentally friendly biodiesel. Thus, the objective this study was to evaluate the influence of the use of treated domestic sewage in the production of sunflower. The statistical design used was randomized blocks in split plots with four replications. In the plots, we evaluated the effect of two types of irrigation water; plots were distributed five irrigation, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 of the evaporation of class “A” PAN. In subsubplots, we evaluated the effect of four doses of nitrogen fertilization 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg ha-1. The more positive energy balance of 1:1,30 and 1:1,36 was obtained with irrigation of 222.48 mm and nitrogen levels of 50 and 25 kg ha-1, irrigated with well water and sewage, respectively.

The evaluation of profitability of ‘Ponkan’ mandarin subjected to chemical thinning may constitute important information that allows the farmer to evaluate the feasibility of adopting the practice of management in his orchard. Thus, this study was developed with the aim to evaluate the profitability of the practice of chemical thinning in ‘Ponkan’ mandarin trees (Citrus reticulata Blanco). The work was carried out in 2009, 2010 and 2011 in an unirrigated orchard of ‘Ponkan’ mandarin, in the city of Perdões, the southern region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Before the treatments, in October 2008, 80 plants we selected with abundant flowering on the entire canopy, so that all the mandarin trees could have production significant quantities of fruit. In half of the plants was not performed the chemical thinning and the other half was applied 600 mg L-1 of Ethephon, after the period of physiological fruit drop, in January 2009, January 2010 and January 2011, when these were at stage 25 to 30 mm in transverse diameter. At harvest, in June 2009, June 2010 and June 2011 were evaluated the production per plant (boxes of 22 kg) and estimated the productivity of plants subjected to the chemical thinning and plants that were not subjected to this practice. The profitability analysis was performed in a simplified manner considering the production costs of the orchard already deployed with the production stable. The practice of chemical thinning promoted superiority of 176% on the average profitability of 'Ponkan' mandarin trees.