ABSTRACT The Cerrado occupies 25% of the Brazilian territory and is the second largest biome in South America, second only to the Amazon Rainforest. Hence, studies on the native species of the Cerrado are important for implementing conservation strategies. In this context, knowledge of the requirements and conditions for germination of seeds of these native species is essential. The Cerrado watermelon (Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner) is a plant that is not cultivated, but has been used in revegetation projects in the countryside of the Cerrado because its fruits are fed upon by fauna in times of food shortage. The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate methodology for the germination of the Cerrado watermelon, by identifying the best-suited substrate, the optimal temperature, and the corresponding time taken for germination. The treatments consisted of four substrates: in a paper roll, on paper, in sand, and on sand; and four temperatures: 20, 25, and 30 °C (maintained constant), and a fourth temperature treatment that alternated 20-30 °C. The effect of the substrates and temperatures on seed performance was evaluated using the germination test, speed index, and average time for germination. The experimental design was fully randomized, with treatments distributed in a 4 × 4 (substrates × temperatures) factorial scheme, with four replications. Our results show that the temperature of 20 °C had a negative influence on germination in all substrates. Further, we found that the germination of the Cerrado watermelon seeds was best in a paper roll or on sand substrate, maintained at a constant temperature of 30 °C, or when temperature was alternated 20-30 °C, and the time required for germination stabilization was 30 days. | RESUMO O Cerrado ocupa 25% do território brasileiro e é o segundo maior bioma da América do Sul, perdendo somente para a Floresta Amazônica, sendo assim, estudos com espécies nativas são de fundamental importância para implementação de estratégias de conservação, no qual o conhecimento do comportamento da germinação das sementes é fundamental neste contexto. Melancia do Cerrado (Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner) é uma frutífera não cultivada que tem sido utilizada em projetos de revegetação de ambientes campestres do Cerrado, pois seus frutos alimentam a fauna em épocas de escassez de alimentos. Objetivou-se determinar a metodologia quanto ao substrato, temperatura e tempo de contagem para o teste de germinação em melancia do Cerrado. Os tratamentos constaram de quatro substratos: rolo de papel, sobre papel, entre areia e sobre areia e quatro temperaturas: 20, 25 e 30 °C constantes e 20-30 °C alternada. O efeito dos substratos e temperaturas sobre o desempenho das sementes foi avaliado pelo teste de germinação, índice de velocidade e tempo médio de germinação. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com os tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 4 × 4 (substratos × temperaturas), com quatro repetições. A temperatura de 20 °C influenciou negativamente em todos os substratos. O teste de germinação em sementes de melancia do Cerrado pode ser realizado em rolo de papel ou sobre areia, à temperatura constante de 30 °C ou alternada de 20-30 °C, com contagem final no 30° dia.

RESUMO Com o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar a adaptabilidade e estabilidade para o rendimento de grãos de híbridos de milho cultivados em três épocas de semeadura no Município de Ceres, no bioma Cerrado em Goiás. A pesquisa foi realizada na Fazenda Experimental do IF Goiano Campus Ceres. A adubação de semeadura foi de 20 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio, 150 kg ha-1 de fósforo e 80 kg ha-1 de potássio (fórmula 04-30-16). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso. Avaliou-se dez híbridos (Truck, Fórmula, P30F53, P3646H, P30F35H, AGN 30A77H, AGN 30A37H, AG 8088PRO, DKB 390 e DKB Bi9440) em três épocas de semeadura (18/11/2011, 31/01/2012 e 20/02/2012) com três repetições. As colheitas foram realizadas em 04/04/2012, 10/06/2012 e 01/07/2012. Avaliou-se a produtividade e realizou a análise gráfica dos híbridos e épocas de semeadura para avaliar a estabilidade e adaptabilidade. Ocorreu efeito significativo para a interação híbridos x épocas de semeadura. Este resultado indica que o melhor híbrido em um ambiente não necessariamente será o melhor em outro. Pode-se inferir que o déficit hídrico e a variabilidade genética dos híbridos resultaram em comportamentos diferentes conforme se alterou a época de semeadura. Com os gráficos bidimensionais obtidos pela técnica GGE Biplot observou que o híbrido AGN 30A77H tem maior adaptabilidade ás épocas 18/11/2011 e 31/01/2012, seguido pelo híbrido Fórmula. E o híbrido P30F35H teve maior adaptabilidade a época 20/02/2012. | ABSTRACT The current study aimed to assess adaptability and stability of corn hybrids regarding grain yields when sown in three different seasons in the Brazilian cerrado. The research was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the IF Goiano, campus in Ceres - GO. Pre-sowing fertilization was made with 20 kg ha-1 of nitrogen, 150 kg ha-1 of phosphorus and 80 kg ha-1 of potassium (04-30-16 formulation). Data were analyzed in a random block experimental design. We assessed tem corn hybrids (Truck, Fórmula, P30F53, P3646H, P30F35H, AGN 30A77H, AGN 30A37H, AG 8088PRO, DKB 390 and DKB Bi9440) in three sowing seasons (Nov. 18, 2011; Jan. 31, 2012 and Feb. 20, 2012) with three replications. Harvests were held on Apr. 4, 2012; Jun. 10, 2012 and Jul. 1, 2012. Each hybrid was assessed on yielding; and a graphical analysis was made to contrast hybrids and sowing seasons regarding stability and adaptability. Results showed a significant effect of the interaction between hybrids and sowing times. Therefore, we may state that the best hybrid in an environment would not be necessarily good in another. Thereby, we can infer that drought and corn genetic variability have diverse behaviors in each season. Over the two-dimensional graphics generated by GGE Biplot method, we observed an increased adaptability of AGN 30A77H when sown on Nov. 18, 2011 and on Jan. 31, 2012, followed by Fórmula; however, for P30F35H, it was on Feb. 20, 2012.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the growth and agro-industrial productivity of sugarcane varieties subjected to different irrigation levels in the county of Penápolis - São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with a factorial arrangement of 2 × 7 (two cultivars of sugarcane: RB965902 and RB855453, at seven irrigation levels: L0 = 0%, L1 = 25%, L2 = 50%, L3 = 75%, L4 = 100, L5 = 125% e L6 = 150% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) with four replicates. The irrigation system was a subsurface drip at a flow rate of 1.4 Lh-1. The variables evaluated were tillering, culm length, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter, and industrial productivity. The maximum number of plants per linear meter was 30 for variety RB965902 at 100% ETc, and 29 for variety RB855453 at 125% of ETc. Maximum tillering occurred at 120 and 150 days after planting (DAP) for RB965902 and RB855453, respectively. The maximum LAI of BR965902 was 9.57 at 210 DAP and 9.81 at 201 DAP for the RB855453 variety. The RB855453 variety produced an average of 178.93 t ha-1 with irrigation and 164.81 t ha-1 without, while the variety RB965902 produced 164.08 t ha-1 and 154.61 t ha-1 with and without irrigation, respectively. At harvest, the total recoverable sugars (TRS) were 129.62 kg t-1 for RB965902 and 131.63 kg t-1 for RB855443. The RB855453 variety produced on average 14.19 t ha-1 more than the RB965902 variety. | RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o crescimento e a produtividade agroindustrial de variedades de cana-planta submetidas a lâminas de irrigação no município de Penápolis - SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com arranjo fatorial de 2 x 7 (duas variedades de cana-de-açúcar: RB965902 e RB855453 e sete lâminas de irrigação: L0 = 0%, L1 = 25%, L2 = 50%, L3 = 75%, L4 = 100, L5 = 125% e L6 = 150% da evapotranspiração da cultura - ETc) e quatro repetições. O sistema de irrigação foi gotejamento subsuperficial com emissores de 1,40 L h-1. As variáveis avaliadas foram: perfilhamento, altura de plantas, índice de área foliar (IAF) e produtividade agroindustrial. O número máximo de plantas por metro linear foi 30 para variedade RB965902 com 100% e 29 para a RB855453 com 125% da ETc. O perfilhamento máximo ocorreu aos 120 e 150 dias após o plantio (DAP) na RB965902 e RB855453, respectivamente. O IAF máximo da RB965902 foi 9,57 aos 210 DAP e 9,81 aos 240 DAP para a RB855453. A variedade RB855453 irrigada produziu em média 178,93 t ha-1 e 164,81 t ha-1 em sequeiro, enquanto a variedade RB965902 produziu 164,08t ha-1 e 154,61 t ha-1em cultivo irrigado e sequeiro, respectivamente. Na colheita, o total de açúcares recuperáveis (ATR) foi 129,62 kg t-1 na RB965902 e 131,63 kg t-1 na RB855443. A variedade RB855453 produziu em média 14,19 t ha-1 a mais do que a RB965902.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the production components of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) subjected to irrigation with brackish water and different leaching fractions. The experiment was conducted in a lysimeter system of the Department of Agricultural Engineering of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife campus. The treatments, consisting of two water salinity levels (ECw) (1.2 and 3.3 dS m-1) and five leaching fractions (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%), were evaluated using a completely randomized design in a 2x5 factorial arrangement with four replications. The variables evaluated were: number of pods per plant, 100-grain weight, number of grains per pod, grain and shoot dry weight, grain yield and harvest index. The soil salinity increased with increasing salinity of the water used for irrigation, and reduced with increasing leaching fraction. The salinity of the water used for irrigation influenced only the variables number of pods per plant and grain yield. The estimated leaching fractions of 9.1% and 9.6% inhibited the damage caused by salinity on the number of pods per plant and grain yield, respectively. Therefore, the production of V. unguiculata irrigated with brackish water, leaching salts from the plant root environment, is possible under the conditions evaluated. | RESUMO Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar os componentes de produção do feijão-caupi (Vigna unguiculata) submetido à irrigação com água salobra e frações de lixiviação. O estudo foi conduzido em sistema de lisimetria no Departamento de Engenharia Agrícola da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Campus Recife. Os tratamentos consistiram em dois níveis de salinidade da água (CEa - 1,2 e 3,3 dS m-1) e de cinco frações de lixiviação (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%), em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 5, com quatro repetições. As variáveis avaliadas foram: número de vagens por planta, massa de 100 grãos, número de grãos por vagem, biomassa seca de grãos e da parte aérea, produtividade de grãos e índice de colheita. A salinidade do solo aumentou com a salinidade da água de irrigação, mas foi reduzida com a fração de lixiviação. Exceto o número de vagens por planta e a produtividade de grãos, as demais variáveis não foram influenciadas pelas salinidades da água de irrigação. As frações de lixiviação estimadas de 9,1 e 9,6% inibem os danos provocados pela salinidade sobre o número de vagens por planta e produtividade de grãos, respectivamente. Nas condições estudadas, é possível se produzir feijão-caupi irrigado com água salobra sob lixiviação de sais do ambiente radicular das plantas.

ABSTRACT Mixed infections in cucurbits are frequently observed in natural conditions between viruses from the Potyvirus genus and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), which significantly decreases productivity. The objectives of the present study was to compare the host range of PRSV-W, WMV, and ZYMV isolates and evaluate the effects of mixed infections with CMV in zucchini plants (Cucurbita pepo L.). Host range studies comprising 23 plant species confirmed some similarities and biological differences among the isolates of PRSV-W, ZYMV, and WMV. RT-PCR confirmed the amplification of DNA fragments of the PRSV-W, WMV, and ZYMV coat protein gene (cp) and cytoplasm inclusion gene (ci). The virus interaction studies in zucchini Caserta plants indicated synergistic interactions, particularly among species from the Potyvirus genus, and some CMV interference with some virus combinations. | RESUMO Infecções mistas em cucurbitáceas são observadas com grande frequência em condições naturais entre os vírus do gênero Potyvirus e o Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), reduzindo significativamente a produtividade das culturas. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram comparar a gama de hospedeiras de isolados de PRSV-W, WMV e ZYMV e avaliar os efeitos de infecções mistas entre esses isolados e um isolado de CMV em abobrinha (Cucurbita pepo) cv. Caserta. Estudos de gama de plantas hospedeiras, envolvendo 23 espécies vegetais confirmaram similaridades e diferenças biológicas entre PRSV-W, ZYMV e WMV. Estudos moleculares com RT-PCR possibilitaram a amplificação de fragmentos de DNA para as regiões do gene da CP (cp) e do gene da CI (ci) de PRSV-W, WMV e ZYMV. Estudos sobre interação sinérgica entre os vírus do gênero Potyvirus e CMV em abobrinha cv. Caserta evidenciaram efeitos sinérgicos, sobretudo entre as espécies do gênero Potyvirus e interferência do CMV em algumas combinações.

The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse located at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Cuiaba - MT, from March to May 2012. The objective was to assess the effects of different rates of nickel application with and without liming on maize growth and micronutrient levels. The study was a randomized block design in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement with four replicates, for a total of 40 plots, including with and without liming and five rates of nickel application, on a clayey Red Yellow Latosol (Oxisol, USDA classification and Ferralsol, FAO classification). Both lime and nickel applications influenced plant growth, reducing plant development with increased nickel application without liming. It was also observed that both lime and nickel applications altered micronutrient levels in the maize plants, independent of which part of the plant was evaluated. Nickel played an antagonistic role with manganese and zinc and a synergistic role with copper and iron.

Psidium guineense Sw , popularly known as araçá, is a fruit tree there is widely distributed in Brazil and belongs to the Myrtaceae family. In northeastern Brazil, araçá occurs along coast and in the Zona da Mata; its fruit looks like guava but is more acidic and has a stronger smell. There is a little information about this species, which increases the difficulty of conserving its genetic resources and exploiting araçá as an economic resource. The objective of this research was the evaluation of the genetic diversity and genetic structure of P. guineense from Pernambuco’s Zona da Mata. One hundred and fourteen individuals and 18 isozyme loci were evaluated, showing 28 alleles. The percentage of polymorphic loci ( ) and the average number of alleles per locus ( ) were 0.5 and 1.5, respectively, in this population. The expected heterozygosity , which corresponds to the genetic diversity, ranged from 0.22 to 0.23, a high value when considering that isozymes mark access from the functional genome. The differentiation index among the population was ( ) = 0.015; therefore, the populations were not different among the sampled places. The inbreeding values ( ) ranged from - 0.549 to - 0.794, indicating an absence of inbreeding and a greater - than - expected heterozygosity in all the studied populations. The estimated gene flow ( N m ) for a pair of this population ranged from 3.23 to 20.77, sufficient to avoid genetic differentiation among the population and in accordance with the values of genetic divergence found in this study.

Tomatoes are an important component of the human diet because they are rich in minerals and antioxidants that sequester free radicals in cells, preventing various disorders that affect human health. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen sources and concentrations on antioxidant capacity and physical and chemical quality of tomato fruit. The experiment was conducted in Vitória da Conquista, state of Bahia, Brazil, in the experimental field of Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia. The experimental setup included a randomized block design with four replicates in a factorial layout of 3 × 3 + 1 (control), for a total of 40 plots. The three treatments comprised different nitrogen sources (calcium nitrate, urea, and ammonium sulfate), applied in three doses (140, 280, and 420 kg ha - 1 ). We evaluated firmness, pH, titratable acidity - TA, soluble solid - SS, SS/TA ratio, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and DPPH inhibition, were evaluated after samples were harvested. However, increasing concentrations of N adversely affected the acidity and led to an increase in the SS/TA ratio. Increasing the N concentration also reduced the content of bioactive compounds. excluding carotenoids, which consequently impaired antioxidant activity.

Mineral fertilizer management is one of the most important agronomic techniques applied in papaya cultivation, which generally extracts large amounts of nutrients from soil, especially nitrogen. This study aimed to assess the phytotechnical and physiological attributes and yield of „Formosa‟ papaya hybrid Caliman 01 as a function of different doses of coated and conventional urea in the region of Bom Jesus - PI, Brazil. The treatments were arranged in a factorial scheme (2 × 4) and distributed in a randomized block design with four replications, corresponding to 2 nitrogen sources (coated urea, 43% of N; and conventional urea, 45% of N) and 4 doses nitrogen (350, 440, 530 and 620 g per plant). The N doses used corresponded to 80, 100, 120 and 140% of the nitrogen fertilization. It was used six plants per plot with two row borders, totaling 192 plants cultivated in the field. It was assessed the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (int.PAR), radiation interception efficiency (PAREff.), leaf area index (LAI), plant height, stem diameter and yield. The coated urea promotes a higher growth and yield of „Formosa‟ papaya compared to the conventional urea. The application of 1.0 g of coated N promotes the production of 2.87 g of fruit per hectare while the application of 1.0 g of conventional N produces only 1.89 g of fruit per hectare, showing that the source of polymerized N increases the use efficiency of N applied to soil.

The aim of this study was to isolate sporogenic bacteria from the honey of stingless bees Melipona sp., in dry forest, and to evaluate their antagonistic potential for medicinal employment purposes and animal production. The honey samples were collected in Serra Talhada - PE, where honey was taken from four different hives (in triplicate), totaling 12 samples. The samples were diluted and subjected to 80 ºC for 20 minutes to eliminate vegetative cells. The dilutions were plated onto nutrient agar and incubated at 30 ºC for 72 hours. Then the colony forming units (CFU) were quantified. The samples were also plated onto malt agar and Sabouraud agar, and incubated at 30 ºC for 14 days for the growth of yeast and molds. Total and fecal coliforms were quantified by the most probable number method (MPN). Seven isolates (I) of sporogenic bacteria ( Bacillus ) were obtained, however only four showed probiotic potential. Isolate I - 5 showed the greatest probiotic potential and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli , Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp., and Staphylococcus aureus . The growth of the Sarcina sp. was not inhibited by any isolate. No yeast, molds or coliforms were found. The Melipona sp. honey is a source of spore - forming bacteria and is antagonistic to microorganisms that contaminate honey. It has good microbiological quality.