RESUMO O feijão guandu é uma importante fonte proteica usada em diversos países dos trópicos e subtrópicos, sendo considerada uma planta de múltiplos usos e resistente às condições do Cerrado brasileiro. Dentre as atividades utilizadas, destaca-se o emprego como adubo verde, promovendo aumento do teor de nitrogênio no solo através da associação com bactérias diazotróficas genericamente conhecidas como rizóbio. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a eficiência de estirpes de rizóbio isoladas de plantas de feijão caupi sobre o desenvolvimento do feijão guandu cultivado em Latossolo Vermelho. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de cinco estirpes de rizóbio (MT8, MT15, MT16, MT23, um inoculante comercial composto pelas estirpes BR 2801 e BR 2003 de Bradyrhizobium spp.) e duas testemunhas, sendo uma absoluta (sem inoculação e sem adubação nitrogenada) e outra com adubação nitrogenada. Cada parcela experimental foi composta por um vaso de 8 dm3, contendo três plantas. As variáveis analisadas foram altura de plantas, índice SPAD, número e massa seca de nódulos e massa seca da parte aérea e das raízes. O feijão guandu respondeu significativamente aos tratamentos com inoculação, onde todas as estirpes isoladas de feijão caupi apresentaram resultados semelhantes à testemunha nitrogenada e ao inoculante comercial, demonstrando uma favorável interação planta-bactéria, podendo ser uma alternativa para o fornecimento do nitrogênio requerido pelo feijão guandu. | ABSTRACT Pigeon pea is an important protein source grown in several tropical and sub-tropical countries, and is considered a multi-purpose plant that is resistant to the conditions of the Brazilian Cerrado. Among the possible uses for cowpea, its use as a green manure, increasing soil nitrogen content through the association with diazotrophic bacteria, generically known as rhizobia, is noteworthy. The present work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Rhizobium strains isolated from cowpea plants in the development of pigeon peas cultured in Red Latosol. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized design with seven treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of inoculation with four Rhizobium strains (MT8, MT15, MT16, and MT23) and one commercial inoculant comprising Bradyrhizobium spp. strains BR 2801 and BR 2003. There were two controls, one absolute (without inoculation or nitrogen fertilization) and the other with nitrogen fertilization. Each experimental plot consisted of an 8-dm3 vase containing three plants. Analyzed variables included plant height, SPAD index, number and dry weight of nodules, and shoot and root dry masses. Pigeon peas responded significantly to inoculation treatment, since all the plants inoculated with Rhizobium strains isolated from cowpea strains showed results similar to plants in the nitrogen control and commercial inoculant treatments. This demonstrates a favorable plant-bacteria interaction, which can be utilized as an alternative nitrogen source for pigeon peas.

RESUMO O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação na Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, em Cuiabá/MT no período de março a maio de 2012 com o objetivo de avaliar o crescimento de plantas de milho e o teor de micronutrientes em doses de níquel com e sem calagem. O delineamento foi o de blocos casualizados, em um arranjo fatorial 2 x 5 com quatro repetições, totalizando 40 parcelas, sendo: com e sem calagem e cinco doses de níquel, em um Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo de textura argilosa. A calagem e a aplicação de níquel interferiram no crescimento das plantas de milho. Foi registrada a redução do desenvolvimento das plantas com o aumento das doses de níquel sem a calagem. Tanto a calagem quanto a aplicação de doses de níquel alteraram os teores de micronutrientes nas plantas de milho, independente da parte da planta avaliada. O níquel exerceu ação antagônica com manganês e zinco e sinérgica com o cobre e ferro. | ABSTRACT 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.

ABSTRACT Weed control is essential to reduce or eliminate the interference of weeds on crops. Chemical control with the application of herbicides consists of the most used method, with this aim in grain producing areas. Information about the selectivity of herbicides to C. spectabilis (showy crotalaria) are scarce, which are critical for the management of this species as a crop. One field experiment was performed to evaluate the selectivity of herbicides applied in post-emergence of showy crotalaria. The herbicides bentazon (720 and 576 g ha-1), imazethapyr (106 and 79.5 g ha-1), pyrithiobac-sodium (84 g ha-1), flumiclorac (60 g ha-1), flumiclorac in sequential application (30 / 30 g ha-1), imazethapyr + bentazon (106 + 480 g ha-1), and clethodim + quizalofop (96 + 100 g ha-1) were applied in plants with four true leaves, also using a control without herbicide application. Pyrithiobac-sodium and flumiclorac isolated and the tankmix of imazethapyr + bentazon provided greater injuries to showy crotalaria, also affecting the final plant height. Pyrithiobac-sodium (84 g ha-1) was not selective to showy crotalaria. The herbicides imazethapyr (79.5 g ha-1), flumiclorac (sequential application), and bentazon (576 g ha-1), despite the association between clethodim + quizalofop, can be used for weed management in showy crotalaria crop. | RESUMO O manejo de plantas daninhas é prática fundamental para reduzir ou eliminar a interferência da comunidade infestante sobre a espécie cultivada. O método de controle químico, por meio da aplicação de herbicidas, consiste no mais utilizado com esta finalidade em áreas de produção de larga escala. Informações de seletividade de herbicidas para C. spectabilis (crotalária) são escassas, sendo estas de suma importância para o manejo desta espécie como cultura. Um experimento de campo foi realizado para avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência na crotalária. Os herbicidas bentazon (720 e 576 g ha-1), imazethapyr (106 e 79,5 g ha-1), pyrithiobac-sodium (84 g ha-1), flumiclorac (60 g ha-1), flumiclorac em aplicação sequencial (30 / 30 g ha-1), imazethapyr + bentazon (106 + 480 g ha-1), clethodim + quizalofop (96 + 100 g ha-1) foram aplicados sob plantas com quatro folhas verdadeiras, constando também entre os tratamentos testemunha sem aplicação de herbicidas. Pyrithiobac-sodium e flumiclorac isolados e a mistura entre imazethapyr + bentazon proporcionaram maiores injúrias a crotalária, afetando também a altura final das plantas. O pyrithiobac -sodium (84 g ha-1) não foi seletivo para a crotalária. Os herbicidas imazethapyr (79,5 g ha-1), flumiclorac (em aplicação sequencial), bentazon (576 g ha-1), além da associação entre clethodim + quizalofop podem ser utilizados para o manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura da crotalária.

RESUMO O presente estudo objetivou investigar a influência da ação antrópica na precipitação efetiva (Pe) e nas perdas de solo em microbacias submetidas a diferentes usos do solo em região de floresta tropical seca. A área experimental está localizada na parte central do estado do Ceará, Brasil. Os usos do solo investigados foram: Caatinga em Pousio (CP), Caatinga Raleada (CR) e manejo de Desmatamento da Caatinga seguido de Queima e cultivo de Pastagem (DQP). O monitoramento foi realizado na estação chuvosa (janeiro a maio) de 2010, com uma ocorrência de 57 eventos naturais de chuva, totalizando 941 mm precipitados. Na quantificação da Pe e produção de sedimentos foi feito um somatório para todos os eventos ocorridos no período de estudo e nas perdas de solo consideraram-se os sedimentos em suspensão e em arraste. Em condições de pousio, a Pe e a produção de sedimentos foram de 15,13 mm e 167,81 kg ha-1 respectivamente. Os menores valores de Pe (11,28 mm) ocorreram na microbacia cujo uso da terra era o CR, cujas perdas de solo totalizaram 42,04 kg ha-1. No uso da terra DQP foi registrada a maior Pe anual com 112,88 mm ano-1 de lâmina escoada acumulada, bem como as maiores perdas de solo anual (3.114,97 kg ha-1). A maior inferência da cobertura vegetal nos dois processos investigados ocorreu para os primeiros eventos, quando o estrato herbáceo ainda não estava desenvolvido. | ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of anthropic activities on the effective precipitation (eP) and soil loss in watersheds under different land uses in a tropical dry forest region. The experimental area was located in the central part of the State of Ceará, Brazil. The land uses evaluated were: fallow Caatinga (FC), thinned Caatinga (TC) and deforested Caatinga followed by a burning procedure and pasture cultivation (DBP). The areas were monitored in the rainy season (January to May, 2010), when 57 natural rainfalls occurred, totaling 941 mm of precipitation. The eP and sediment productions were quantified by the sum of all occurrences during the study period, and the soil loss was represented by suspended and dragged sediments. The eP was 15.13 mm and sediment produced was 167.81 kg ha-1 in FC conditions. The eP values was smaller (11.28 mm) in the watershed with TC, which had soil loss sum of 42.04 kg ha-1. The largest annual eP was found in the DBP area, with 112.88 mm yr-1 of accumulated water depth, which also showed the greater annual soil loss (3114.97 kg ha-1). The greatest interference of plant cover in the two variables evaluated occurred in the first precipitation events, when the plants were not yet fully developed.

RESUMO Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em Petrolina PE, com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento produtivo de cultivares de minitomate, nas condições do Submédio do Vale do São Francisco. O primeiro, entre agosto e dezembro de 2012 (segundo semestre), e o segundo, entre março e julho de 2013 (primeiro semestre). Para as duas épocas, foram avaliados seis cultivares de minitomate: E5663; Kada; F1170; Tanzimech; E1275 e Abirú. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições dispostas em parcelas subdivididas, testando-se nas parcelas as duas épocas de cultivo e nas subparcelas, os genótipos. Avaliou-se produtividade total e comercial de frutos, teor de sólidos solúveis, número de frutos por planta, massa fresca de frutos por planta e massa fresca de fruto. A produtividade total, independentemente do genótipo, no cultivo de primeiro semestre foi superior. No cultivo de segundo semestre, a cultivar E5663 apresentou produtividade de 40,3 Mg ha-1. No primeiro semestre, com esse mesmo genótipo, obteve-se produtividade de 104,0 Mg ha-1. A produtividade comercial, o teor de sólidos solúveis e a produção por planta seguiram a mesma tendência. Quanto ao número de frutos por planta, foi verificada uma variação de 390,8 a 941,4 e 80,5 a 315,4 frutos por planta, para o primeiro semestre e segundo semestre, respectivamente. O genótipo E5663, por ter apresentado as melhores respostas produtivas e teor de sólidos solúveis, pode ser indicado para as condições de Petrolina-PE, ressaltando-se que este pode ser adotado nos dois períodos de cultivo do ano. | ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco (PE), Brazil, in order to evaluate the performance of mini tomato cultivars under the conditions of the Sub-Mid São Francisco Valley. One on crops of the second half of the year (SH) from August to December 2012, and other on crops of the first half of the year (FH) from March to July 2013. Six mini tomato cultivars were evaluated in both seasons: E5663, Kada, F1170, Tanzimech, E1275 and Abirú. A randomized block experimental design was used, with four replications, arranged in split plot, with the growing seasons in the plots and cultivars in the subplots. The total and commercial fruit yield, soluble solid contents, fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, and fruit fresh weight were evaluated. The total yield was higher in the FH, regardless of the cultivar used. The cultivar E5663 presented yield of 40.3 Mg ha-1 in the SH and 104.0 Mg ha-1 in the FH. Commercial yield, soluble solid content and yield per plant followed the same trend. The number of fruits per plant ranged from 390.8 to 941.4 (FH) and from 80.5 to 315.4 (SH). The cultivar E5663 presented the best yield and soluble solid content responses, thus, it may be recommended for the conditions of Petrolina PE, and can be adopted for planting in both seasons evaluated.

ABSTRACT 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. | RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo isolar bactérias esporulantes a partir do mel de Melipona sp. em ambiente de caatinga e avaliar o seu potencial antagonista com vistas à aplicação na medicina e produção animal. As amostras de méis foram coletadas no município de Serra Talhada-PE, onde o mel foi retirado de quatro colméias diferentes (em triplicata), totalizando 12 amostras que amostras foram diluídas (10-1 a 10-5) e submetidas a 80 ºC por 20 minutos e resfriadas a 5 ºC para indução de esporos e eliminação de células vegetativas. Em seguida, as diluições foram semeadas em Agar Nutriente e incubadas a 30 º por 72 horas para contagem das unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC). Antes do tratamento térmico foram realizados testes para verificar a presença de fungos filamentosos, leveduras e coliformes totais e termotolerantes. As diluições foram semeadas em Agar Malte e Agar Sabouraud e incubadas a 30 ºC por 14 dias. Coliformes totais e termotolerantes foram quantificados pelo método do número mais provável (NMP). Foram obtidos sete isolados (I) de bactérias esporulantes (Bacillus), porém apenas quatro mostraram algum potencial antagonista. O isolado I-5 apresentou o maior potencial antagonista, inibindo o crescimento de Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp. e Staphylococcus aureus. Apenas Sarcina sp. não foi inibida. Não foram encontrados fungos filamentosos, leveduras ou coliformes nas amostras. O mel de Melipona sp. é uma fonte de bactérias esporulantes resistentes a elevadas temperaturas e com potencial antagonista a micro-organismos contaminantes e apresenta boa qualidade microbiológica.

The Rules for Seed Analysis and the Instructions for Seed Analysis of Forest Species have no recommendations for conducting the S. tenuifolia germination test. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate different temperatures and substrates to perform the germination test of S. tenuifolia seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 4 × 3 design and consisted of four substrates (paper roll; on paper; on sand and on vermiculite) and three temperatures (25, 30 and 35 °C), with four replicates of 25 seeds. The percentage of normal seedlings, the germination speed index, the shoot length, root length and dry mass of seedlings were evaluated. The Tukey test was used at 5% probability. There was a significant interaction between the temperatures and substrates tested for all variables, indicating that there is at least one ideal combination of the two factors that can increase the germination of seeds. The germination and vigor of S. tenuifolia seeds are influenced by the temperature and by the substrate used in the germination test. The combination of the paper roll substrates with a temperature of 25 and 30 °C was suitable for the germination of S. tenuifolia seeds.

The knowledge about genetic diversity of jatropha crop is important for genetic conservation resources and breeding of this species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity and performance of jatropha clones through morphological characterization to selection of clonal varieties for biofuels production. The clones were obtained through shoot cuttings from previous selection in a population of half - sibs progenies. The morphoagronomic analyses of clones was carried out at 180 days after transplantation and were evaluated plant height, stem diameter, number of primary branches and number of secondary branches, number of bunches and number of fruits per plant. Evaluating clones performance, significant results were found for the number of secondary branches. About analysis of genetic diversity, the measures of dissimilarity genetic varied from 0.62 to 13.11, this way, the UFRBPR14 and UFRBPR15 clones were more divergent. The Tocher method was efficient to verify formation of four groups. The characteristics that most contributed to the divergence among clones were branches number, height and number of bunches, and, stem diameter had lower contribution. The jatropha clones differed only in the secondary branches number and multivariate analysis showed divergence among the jatropha clones with formation of four groups. Also, branches number, plant height and number of bunches were characteristic that contributed to genetic divergence.

Banana is one of the most consumed fruits in the world, which is grown in most tropical countries. The objective of this work was to evaluate the main attributes of soil fertility in a banana crop under two cover crops and two root development locations. The work was conducted in Curaçá, BA, Brazil, between October 2011 and May 2013, using a randomized block design in split plot with five repetitions. Two cover crops were assessed in the plots, the cover 1 consisting of Pueraria phaseoloides, and the cover 2 consisting of a crop mix with Sorghum bicolor, Ricinus communis L., Canavalia ensiformis, Mucuna aterrima and Zea mays, and two soil sampling locations in the subplots, between plants in the banana rows (location 1) and between the banana rows (location 2). There were significant and independent effects for the cover crop and sampling location factors for the variables organic matter, Ca and P, and significant effects for the interaction between cover crops and sampling locations for the variables potassium, magnesium and total exchangeable bases. The cover crop mix and the between-row location presented the highest organic matter content. Potassium was the nutrient with the highest negative variation from the initial content and its leaf content was below the reference value, however not reducing the crop yield. The banana crop associated with crop cover using the crop mix provided greater availability of nutrients in the soil compared to the coverage with tropical kudzu.

Corn is a nitrogen-intensive crop, and the use of management practices such as inoculation of the seed with diazotrophic bacteria, which can maximize crop productivity and reduce the need of nitrogen fertilizers, may result in lower production costs. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of inoculation of corn seed with Azospirillum brasilense and controlled addition of nitrogen to topdressing on the nutrition, production components, and productivity of crop grain. The experimental design was a randomized block design, with four replications in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme. The treatments consisted of inoculation or not of corn seed with A. brasilense (at 100 mL per 25 kg of seed) and five nitrogen (N) levels in topdressing (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg N ha-1 from urea [45% N]) were applied when the corn was in the phenological growth stage V6. Foliar macronutrients, foliar chlorophyll index (FCI), production components, and yield of corn grain were valuated. Inoculation of corn seeds with A. brasilense increased plant height and grain yield. Fertilization in topdressing, with N levels up to 120 kg ha-1, linearly increased the foliar nutrients and productivity of corn cultivated in the spring/summer in the low-altitude Cerrado region of Brazil.