The objective was to evaluate the effect the soil chemical characteristics with the application crushed basalt doses soil samples in the Mato Grosso do Sul State. The experiment was installed in a completely randomized design with six treatments, represented by basalt ground doses (0.00, 12.50, 25.00, 37.50, 50.00 and 62.50 g dm-3) and three replications. Samples of 200 cm3 soil each, packed in polyethylene pots were incubated in the laboratory for 90 days with crushed basalt. At the end of the incubation the samples were dried in the air, passed through a sieve with mesh 2 mm opening, homogenized and subjected to chemical analysis of pH, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, potassium end potenciaty acidy. The values base saturation (V%) were calculated by the product of the bases sum per 100 divided by the cation exchange capacity at pH 7.0 (T). Concluded that the pH is shown with the greatest change the lower the power of packing the soil. With the application crushed basalt was very significant increases in the potassium levels. The biggest increases calcium and magnesium in the soils were poor in these nutrients.

The objectives of this research were synthesize and characterize the allelopatic activity of 6a,7bdi-hydroxyvouacapan-17b-oic acid derivatives, isolated from seeds of Pterodon polygalaeflorus Benth (Leguminosae). The compound characterization processes involve in infrared spectrometry (IR) and hydrogen and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C NMR) including experiments in double dimensions (COSY 1H 1H, HMQC and HMBC). Allellopathic effects were evaluated by bioassays, carried out at controlled 25 °C temperature and photoperiod (12h light/12h dark), during 72 hours. Sample concentrations of 1,0, 100,0 and 1000,0 mg.L-1 were tested. Senna occidentalis (fedegoso) and Acanthospermum australe (carrapichinho) were used as the target weed plants. Was observed that the allelopatic effect of the compounds increased as a function of the enhancement of concentration, thus showing a relation dose dependence. The N-ethyl-6a-acethoxy- 7b-hydroxyvouacapan-17b-amide and N,N-diethyl-6a-acethoxy-7b-hydroxyvouacapan 17b-amide were the derivatives that present the biggest inhibitory effect on seed germination and root growth of fedegoso and carrapichinho. Therefore, these compounds represent the most allelochemical potential against these weeds.

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.

This work had the objective to assess the effect of different systems of soil management on the components of corn and Brachiaria decumbens production in the conditions of the coastal plateau of the State of Alagoas. The experiment was carried out in the Center of Agrarian Sciences of the Federal University of Alagoas in the year of 2006, in a Yellow Latosol (Oxisols) Cohesive dystrophic soil. The treatments used were: usual preparation system (SPC); minimum cultivation (SCM); direct plantation (SPD) and farming-cattle integration (ILP), this one joined with B. decumbens. The hybrid of maize BRS 3003 was used whose variable had been: number of plants ha-1 (PP), length of spikes (CE), number of row grains on spikes-1 (NF), number of spike (NE), mass of 100 grains (M100) and grain yield (PG); and fresh weight (MN) and dry weight (MS) of the B. decumbens. The results showed that the soil management systems influenced the PP, NE and PG, but not the variables CE, NF and M100. The treatments ILP and the PD were the most promising management systems. In system ILP, the accumulation of MN and MS did not have influence in the production of corn grains, representing an interesting food source for farm animals.

The objective of this research was to identify species of ants in plantations of Heliconia spp. in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. The fauna of Formicidae was sampled in Maceió and Rio Largo, State of Alagoas, Brazil. The samples were taken from three producing areas of tropical flowers from June 2003 to May 2004. We collected 289 specimens belonging to 12 species, distributed in five genera of four subfamilies. The most abundant genus was Camponotus, with five species. This is the first record of a survey of mirmecofauna in Heliconia plantations in the agrobusiness flowers.

The accumulated litter in the forest ecosystems is source of nutrients for the soil, contributing to the maintenance of the productivity and sustainability in these environments. This study evaluated the chemical characteristics and nutrient content of litter in a Caatinga forest site located in the Fazenda Tamanduá RPPN, in the semi-arid region of Paraíba. Litter production in collector boxes were monthly collected of the seven transects systematically located in the RPPN area, being that the each three months was litter retired an the organic material sample, by transect, to evaluated the chemical characteristics. It was also estimated the remaining nutrient content of litter in nylon bags after 12 and 24 months under field conditions. The order of the nutrient quantities present in litter was: N > Ca > S > K > Mg > P. Potassium, Ca, and Mg release was directly related to litter weight loss, and N, P and S concentrations in litter increased during the process of litter decomposition. The nitrogen in the litter was presented the highest concentration in the wet period and phosphorus as limiting factor in this environment.

The occurrence of Spodoptera eridania (Cremer, 1782), Spodoptera dolichus (Fabricius, 1794) and Spodoptera cosmioidess (Walker) 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.

A field experiment was developed in the period of April of 2000 to May of 2002, at the Experimental Station of Jiqui pertaining to the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte - EMPARN, Parnamirim city, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The work had as objective to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and potassium applied through irrigation water on the nutritional state of green dwarf coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L). The treatments had consisted of the combination through the experimental matrix of Plan Puebla III, 5 doses of N and 5 doses of K2O both oscillating of 135 the 2565 g plant -1 year -1 derived of the urea and white potassium chloride. The used experimental A field experiment was developed in the period of April of 2000 to May of 2002, at the Experimental Station of Jiqui pertaining to the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte - EMPARN, Parnamirim city, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The work had as objective to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and potassium applied through irrigation water on the nutritional state of green dwarf coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L). The treatments had consisted of the combination through the experimental matrix of Plan Puebla III, 5 doses of N and 5 doses of K2O both oscillating of 135 the 2565 g plant -1 year -1 derived of the urea and white potassium chloride. The used experimental delineation was of blocks at random with 4 repetitions and 5 plants for plots totalizing 40 experimental units. The plantation was made in the triangular spacing of 7.5 m between plants and 7.5 m between lines. When the plants were with 4, 4.5 and 5 years had been made three foliar material collections in two plants for parcel in 9 and 14 number leaves. With the results of the analyses proceeding from these collections they had extracted to the averages and was made the statistics analysis. In the samples, they were determined the N, K, P, Ca, Mg and Cl concentrations. Only the N presented concentration below of the critical level, the other P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl nutrients had presented its concentrations above of this level. There was not trend defined between 9 and 14 levels in relation to the N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl concentration. The N concentrations had increased proportionally and linearly and to the amount of N applied. The K concentrations had increased proportionally of quadratic form to the amount of applied N. The K concentrations had increased of quadratic form proportionally to the K doses and linearly to the N doses. There was no effect of the N and K doses on the Ca proportions, the Mg concentrations of Mg had diminished linearly with the rise of the N and K doses. The Cl concentrations had increased with the rise in the N and K doses. Considering the evaluated nutrients and the shown leaves, it is possible affirm that the plants were nutritiously were balanced.

Most of the time, seedlings of yellow passion fruit are produced from seeds. The success in the establishment of the culture depends on several factors, such as the use of seeds of good quality and choice of the best substrate. This work the aim, was to evaluate sources alternative of organic matter in the mixture of substrates for the production of yellow-passion (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg) seedlings. The experimental design was in blocks completely randomized, with ten treatments, with four repetitions and ten plants per parcel, been the treatments: pure soil (S), soil + goat manure (S + GM) in the proportion of 3:1, soil + sheep manure (S + SM) in the proportion of 3:1, soil + bovine manure (S + BM) in the proportion of 3:1, soil + earthworm humus (S + H) in the proportion of 3:1, soil + goat manure + sheep manure (S + GM + SM) in the proportion of 2:1:1, soil + goat manure + bovine manure (S + GM + BM) in the proportion of 2:1:1, soil + sheep manure + bovine manure (S + SM + BM) in the proportion of 2:1:1 , soil + sheep manure + bovine manure (S + SM + BM) in the proportion of 2:1:1, pure soil fertilized with single superphosphate and potassium chloride (S + P + K) at doses of 1 kg m-3 and 0.5 kg m-3 respectively and pure soil fertilized with only single superphosphate (S + P) at a dose of 1 kg m-3. The use of goat and sheep manure in mixtures of substrates provided good results in the production of Yellow-passion seedlings. Of all the tested substrates, the substrate soil + bovine manure in the proportion of 3:1 promoted the best development of the yellow-passion seedlings.