To contribute to knowledge about plants of nutritional importance the work aims to study the motion of absorption of nutrients in lettuce in hydroponic system. Set up an experiment in Fazenda Canto Verde, Mossoró, RN, in the design in randomized blocks with four replicates and treatments were made by the six times of sampling: 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 days after transplanting (DAT). We evaluated the production of fresh and dry weight of shoot, focus and content of macronutrients accumulated over time. The cultivar received 5.12 kg m-2 yield. In terms of concentration of nutrients in the shoot, the nutrients N, P and K showed levels consistent with the literature cited, and the potassium in the nutrient most obviously during the cycle, giving behavior in the concentration over the cycle, so cube. The content of nutrients (mg plant-1) had high value for potassium (641.7 mg plant-1), below normal for phosphorus (31.9 mg plant-1) and according to the literature for nitrogen (295.4 mg plant-1).

The objective of the present work was to characterize melon plant accessions collected in the Brazilian Northeast. They were appraised 42 accessions and four you cultivate commercial, in the years of 2006 and 2007, in twoexperiments in randomized blocks with two replications. 24 traits were used, being 1 of the seed, 11 of fruits, 7 inflorescência, 4 of the leaf and 2 of the plant. The accesses belonged to the botanical group Cantalupensis, Momordica, Conomon and not defined group. Great variation was observed among the accessions for all the traits, especially in the fruit descritores. Variation was verified among and within of the studied botanical groups, mainly in the group Cantalupensis. In a general way, the accesses were fruitful, productive, with long fruits of intermediate size the big ones, with low pulp firmness and lower content of soluble solids. The characterization of the accessions with relationship to the fruit traits can aid the improvement programs. Some accessions can be used to increased the fruitful and the productivity of the melon through crossings with elite cultivars.

The Calotropis procera has been an alternative feed for the ruminants in the brasilian semiarid region, presenting fast establishment and constant availability of fitomassa, until 3.0 t of DM/cut, in the dry season. On the aspect biochemical studies have detected various active substances as cardiac glycosides, non enzymatic proteins and enzimatics proteins, that can cause toxicity in animals when inserted in their diet. In nutritional terms, this species provides important nutrients with emphasis on protein, average value of 20%, and in vitro digestibility above 70%. It researches they showed that the intake of C. procera by goats and sheep in the form in nature can cause deaths, however, to make the process of hay and silage the toxicological effects are reduced. The utilization of C. procera is promissing, needing studies for maximize of the productivity; biochemical evaluation for identification of active substances, their mechanisms and local action in the animal, as well as testing to obtain the safe levels for inclusion in various forms of supply (in natura, hay and silage).

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilization, applied in covering, on the yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum ssp., variety SP- 716949) under irrigation. The experiment was conducted in an area of the Miriri`s distillery, in the Capim district, PB. The treatments were constituted by four levels of covering fertilization: AC1- 85 kg ha-1 ( 44 kg de N plus 41 kg de K2O), AC2 - 167 kg ha-1 (86 kg de N plus 81 kg de K2O), AC3 - 305 kg ha-1 (157 kg de N plus 148 kg de K2O), AC4 - 458 kg ha-1 (236 kg de N plus 222 kg de K2O), arranged in an experimental design of randomized blocks, with three replications. The analyzed variables were: productivity of stems, percentage of ºBrix, Pol and PCC, yield of sugar and alcohol. Among of studied variables, just the productivity of stems was affected significantly (p < 0.05) by the fertilization. The regression analyses revealed that the largest productivity of the stems (108.21 t ha-1), the maximum percentage of PCC and ºBrix (14.35 e 20.40%) and the maximum yield of alcohol (9948 L ha-1) were obtained with the level of covering fertilization of 458 kg ha-1 (236 kg de N plus 222 kg of K2O).

The experiment was carried out at a greenhouse of Plant Science Department of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró-RN, with the objective of determing the best treatment with scarlet starglory to with soil on rocket performance cv. Cultivated. A completely randomized desing with six treatments and four replications. The treatments consist of: T1 (scarlet starglory in coverage 35 days) T2 (scarlet starglory in coverage 28 days); T3 (scarlet starglory in coverage 21 days); T4 (scarlet starglory in coverage 14 days); T5 (scarlet starglory in coverage 7 days); T6 - Control (no fertilized soil). The evaluated traits were: plant height, number of leaves per pot, dry mass and yield of grains. The different times of jitirana significantly in coverage plant height, number of leaves per pot, dry mass and yield. The time of 35 days was what provided the greatest increases in plant height, leaf number, yield of green mass and dry.

The occurrence of the Utetheisa ornatrix (L., 1758) is registered for the first time attacking Crotalaria spp. in Rio Largo country (12°40' S, 39°06' W, 127 m de altitude), Alagoas State, Brazil.

With the objective to determine the influence of the dehydration and of the size and/or weight on germination percentage and the vigor of jussara palm seeds (Euterpe edulis Mart.), 10 individuals' ripe fruits, picked in the Experimental Station of Ubatuba (IAC) they were classified by size in 5 sieves of circular sieve: 26/64¿ (10,31mm), 28/64" (11,11mm), 30/64" (11,90mm), 32/64" (12,69mm) and 34/64" (13,49mm). It was determined, the medium weight of the classified seeds. The quality of the seeds was evaluated through the following parameters: water content of the seeds; germination and vigor (first germination counting). It was evaluated the drying speed of different seed sizes for 48 hours, in dry chamber. The sizes of 28/64", 30/64" and 32/64" represented 98,7% of the total weight of the harvested seeds and showed similar drying speed, percentage of germination and vigor. With the increase of the drying period, the smaller seeds (28/64") had their germination less affected them the intermediate (30/64") and bigger sized seeds (32/64").

This work was carried out to evaluate the use of a hydrogel polymer in melon crop under different irrigation depths, with the objective of improve water retention, and efficiency of water and nutrient utilization by plants. One trial consisted of two treatments with four replications: a treatment with irrigation depth corresponding to 75% of gross depth and 27g of the soil conditioner per plant; the control with irrigation depth equal to the gross depth and without conditioner. The following characteristics were evaluated: root length, yield and quality of melon fruits. Root growth was bigger in the plants where soil conditioner was used. Use of soil conditioner provided an increase on melon yield and number of fruits per linear meter. Mean fruit weight and total soluble solids were not influenced by soil conditioner application and irrigation depth reduction.

The controlled deterioration test has frequently been used to evaluate the vigor of several species and could be an alternative for evaluation of the vigor in jilo seeds. The objective of the present work was to study the controlled deterioration to evaluate the physiological quality of jilo seeds. Five seed lots, cv. Verde Claro Comprido, were submitted to tests of germination, germination first count, seedling emergence and deterioration (19%, 21% and 24% water content, at 45ºC and 24 and 48 hour periods). The 24% water/24h at 45ºC combination, for the controlled deterioration test, was efficient to detect vigor differences among jilo seed lots.

Jatropha curcas crop is raising attention as an alternative crop for oil and biodiesel production. Despite the mineral fertilization is an important factor for increasing Jatropha curcas yield, few research has been made on this issue, mainly on the use de zinc and copper. In order to evaluate the effects of these elements on Jatropha curcas plant growth two experiments were carried out in a greenhouse, in Campina Grande, Paraiba State, Brazil, from July to December 2007. The substrate for the pot plants was a 5 mm-sieved surface soil (Neossolo Quartzarênico). The experimental design was a completely randomized with three replications. The treatments of first and second experiment were composed of five levels of Zn (0; 2; 4; 6 and 8 mg dm-3) and five levels of Cu (0; 1; 2; 3; and 4 mg dm-3) which were applied at the time of planting. One plant of Jatropha curcas was grown per pot after thinning and was irrigated whenever necessary. Data on plant height, number and length of leaves and stem diameter were measured at 40; 60; 80; 100 and 160 days after planting. Under conditions that the experiments were carried out the Zn and Cu levels used did not affect the Jatropha curcas plants growth.