Anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) and dry rot (Phoma caricae-papayae) of papaya (Carica papaya) reduce fruit post-harvest storage life. Therefore, this study evaluated under laboratory conditions the effect of the hydrothermal treatment of fruits on these diseases. Two types of tests were conducted: (1) fruit immersion in hot water (48 ºC) for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 min; and, (2) fruit immersion in hot water at 44, 46, 48 and 50 ºC / 20 min. The experiments were conducted in a randomized complete block design with five replications. Two isolates of C. gloeosporioides and one of P. caricae-papayae were tested in papaya fruits of cv. 'Sunrise Solo' and hybrid ‘Tainung 1’. Fruits were washed, wounded (3mm), inoculated (50μL, 106 conidia mL-1), placed in humid chamber (24 h), and then treated. After treatment, fruits were water cooled (13ºC/20 min) and stored (14 days) in cold chamber (13 ºC; 85-100% R.H.). Daily the diameter of lesions was evaluated for two weeks. Variations on time and temperature did not alter fruit firmness (kg cm-2), pH, total soluble solids (o Brix) e tritable acidity (% of citric acid) in comparison to non-treated fruits. However, in one case on ‘Tainung 1’ fruits, tritable acidity was higher at 48 ºC / 20 min. Fruits treated with hot water at 48 ºC / 20-30 min or 48-50 ºC / 20 min presented less fruit rots.

The “araçá” (Psidium spp) is a wild plant with potential for direct and indirect use, and it is found spontaneously in the Semiarid region of the State of Bahia. Thus, the aim of this work was to character- ize and evaluate the genetic diversity for rescuing of 37 accessions of “araça” from the counties of Campo For- moso, Senhor do Bonfim, Jacobina, Morro do Chapéu and Uauá using botanical, morphological and physic- chemical descriptors in plants of different phenological phases. Size of plant, trunk shape, leaf color, floral morphology, fruit transversal diameter, rind color of fruit, fruit mass, fruit longitudinal diameter, fruit shape, soluble solids, titratable acidity, maturation index and C vitamin were the descriptors used. The diversity among the accessions of “araçá” was estimated using the method of Tocher as well as the inverted Tocher start- ing of the integration of data. Three species were determined (P. schenckianum, P. guineense e P. grandi- folium) and it was found great variation for all descriptors used and it was also found plants of the same size of guava plants. Using Tocher and inverted Tocher it was found variation within the same species, among differ- ent species as well as among accessions of different counties and within counties. The descriptors that gave the major contribution were C vitamin (70,88%) and fruit mass (25,66%). The variation found for the descriptors used show that there is genetic diversity among the “araçá” accessions from the five counties of the Semiarid of the State of Bahia and they present potential to be conserved and for future uses.

The fall armyworm is a pest that feeds on various botanies species. The objective of this experi- ment was to study the biology of this pest in corn and cassava leaves. Caterpillars were collected in area under cultivation with cassava and maintained on artificial diet for two generations. Under controlled conditions in a climatic chamber (B.O.D) in the laboratory (25 ºC, 60 ± 10% RH and photophase 14 hours) were evaluated daily 50 caterpillars in corn treatments and 50 in cassava, where duration and viability of the larval phase and pupal, weight of pupas were observed after 24 hours, deformation percentage of pupas and adults, longevity, fecundity and total life cycle. The viability of larvae fed on leaves of maize and cassava was 74% and 60%, respectively. The larval period of the insects was shorter in maize 16.89 days (seven instars) and cassava 20.08 days (six instars). The pupal phase lasted 11.42 days in cassava treatment and 10.87 in the maize. The pupal weight of females and males was higher in corn 204.91 mg and 198.97 mg, respectively. The biological cycle varied depending on the ingested food. Adult longevity lasted 9.88 days for insects fed on cassava leaves. Therefore, cassava affected the development of S. frugiperda.

The vegetation features in the coastal portion of the State of Rio Grande do Norte are presented as transitional environment between Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes. Being an area where distinct phytoecological domains overlap and interpenetrate keep their own ecological characteristics. As there are no major human settlements and so little agricultural activities and prominent livestock, natural scenery prevails almost untouched. Because of these characteristics, this stretch of coast has been the target of heavy real estate speculation. This study was aimed to conduct a floristic and structure ecotone study which could contribute to conservation and sustainable use. For the floristic study the entire area (300 ha) was used and the method adopted was the pathway. For the phytosociological characterization a sample from an area of approximately 60 hectares was extracted, which applied the plot method, marking 100 contiguous plots of 100 m2. The phytosociological parameters were calculated using specific software. The floristic recorded 108 species in 91 genera and 49 families. For the phytosociological survey, 1960 individuals comprising of 31 species in 27 genera and 22 botanical families. The most important family was the Myrtaceae. The most abundant species were Psidium oligospermum, Eugenia luschnathiana and Pilosocereus catingicola and endangered species Aspilia procumbens, Cattleya granulosa and Melocactus violaceus. Species from the caatinga and the atlantic forest has been observed, supporting the idea of ecotone.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative expression of three candidate genes, CHIA1, SGF14c and CHS8 * possibly involved in seed quality, in contrasting seed coats from four soybean genotypes. Two genotypes with yellow seed coats, BMX Potência RR and CD 202, and two genotypes with black seed coats, TP and IAC were studied to determine the relative gene expression through the qPCR technique, in sev- en stages of seed coat development for all four genotypes, at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 days after anthesis. The CHIA1 and SGF14c genes showed higher expression in cultivar CD 202; the former in the final stages of seed coat development, at 55 days after anthesis, the latter gene at earlier stages, specifically at 25 days after anthesis. The CHS8* gene showed higher expression in CD 202 seed coats at 50 days after anthesis. All three genes expressed at higher levels on genotypes of yellow seed coats, and are considered relevant to new areas of research based on the expression of genes related to seed quality.

In order to evaluate the sensitivity of citrus g enotypes: ‘Santa Cruz Rangpur’ lime, ‘Sunki Tropical’ mandarin, ‘Troyer’ citrange, ‘Volkamer’ l emon, and HTR-051 and HTR-069 trifoliate hybrids to salinity during the rootstock formation period in g reenhouse. The genotypes were subjected to five lev els of irrigation water salinity: control, tap water with electrical conductivity (EC w ) of 0.41 dS m -1 and water with EC w of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m -1 , made from salts NaCl, CaCl 2 .2H 2 O e MgCl 2 .6H 2 O, using the 7:2:1 propor- tion, respectively. The ‘genotypes’ and ‘salinity’ factors were arranged in factorial design (6x5), us ing a ran- domized block, with five blocks and four plants per parcel. The growth and physiological variables wer e evalu- ated registering the most significant effects to sa linity on total dry matter at all genotypes, highli ghting total dry matter accumulation in 'Volkamer' lemon and the hig hest decrease from increasing salinity it is observ ed in 'Troyer' citrange. The 'Volkamer' lemon and HTR – 0 69 can be recommended to formation of seedlings of cit- rus rootstocks under salinity due to its less sensi tivity in the formation of biomass.

This study aimed to quantify the agro - industrial income and evaluating the quality of cassava minimally processed in minitolete and rubiene shapes. The assays were performed at the Academic Unit of Serra Talhada/ Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. Roots of sweet cassava cv. Mossoró were harvested at 14 months of age, minimally processed in minitolete and rubiene shapes and stored at 5 ± 2 °C and 90 ± 5 % of relative humidity for 11 days. Agroindustrial income, accumulated fresh weight, pH, soluble solids, soluble sugars and cooking time were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized in 2x6 factorial design, referring to shapes (minitolete and rubiene) and refrigerated storage times (0, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 days), respectively, with 3 replications. The agroindustrial income for each shape was calculated only at the end of minimal processing. The cooking time was measured at 0 and 11 days in 2x2 factorial design. The formats 'minitolete' and 'rubiene' minimally processed sweet cassava showed agroindustrial income above 60%. There- fore, it is suggested the minimum processing of sweet cassava in those shapes. Furthermore, the quality of the shapes was kept preserved throughout the 11 days of refrigerated storage. The 'rubiene' favored higher mean values of soluble sugars giving this format greater sweetness.

Culturas de cobertura são usadas para cobrir o solo e também podem liberar nitrogênio para o solo durante a mineralização. No entanto, é necessário identificar espécies que combinem liberação rápida de nutri- entes com maior persistência da palhada na superfície do solo. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a degrada- ção da palha e a liberação de nitrogênio por culturas de cobertura sob plantio direto. O experimento de campo foi conduzido durante dois anos no verão (2008/2009 e 2009/2010) na região do Cerrado do Brasil. O delinea- mento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso no esquema fatorial. Os tratamentos foram a combinação de cinco plantas (quatro espécies de plantas de cobertura 1- Panicum maximum, 2- Brachiaria ruziziensis, 3- Brachiaria brizantha e 4- Pennisetum glaucum [milheto] e pousio como controle) com seis épocas de avaliação (seis pri- meiras semanas após a aplicação de glifosato nessas plantas de cobertura). Entre as espécies avaliadas, Penise- tum glaucum e pousio tiveram rápida degradação da palhada e liberação de nitrogênio. As culturas de cobertura Panicum maximum, Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria ruziziensis se destacaram na produção de biomassa e na quantidade de nitrogênio nas suas palhadas, mas apresentaram baixos coeficientes de degradação e persistiram por mais tempo na superfície do solo em relação a Pennisetum glaucum e pousio.

The use of compatible rootstocks, besides protecting sensive plant risk of soil- borne pathogens, can increase the yield and improve the quality of the fruit. The study aimed evaluated compatibility, yield and fruit quality of rootstocks and seedless watermelon. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with a 2x3 (two varieties of seedless watermelon: Shadow and RWT8154; three type of root system: without rootstock and upon BGCIA229 and BGCIA941, selected for their resistance/tolerance to nematodes and/or Fusarium spp) with four blocks and six plants/plot. The grafting method was approaching. Hipocotyl diameter of seed- lings of ‘Shadow' was similar to BGCIA229, and 'RWT8154' to BGCIA941. Verified a hight compatibility in combinations 'RWT8154' with BGCIA941 and BGCIA229. Through grafting it was found: Higher survival was observed in 'Shadow' grafted on BGCIA229. increased vegetative growth of 'Shadow' and reduction in 'RWT8154'; delayed of the 'RWT8154' female flowering; increase in fresh plant weight; increase in the yield of 'RWT8154', and reduction in 'Shadow'; increased fruit weight in 'Shadow' grafted on BGCIA229 and 'RWT8154' grafted on BGCIA941; increase in 'RWT8154' peel thickness; greatest firmness; increase in bright- ness and color intensity of the 'Shadow' pulp. The titratable acidity of the cultivars increased and that the SS/ TA ratio decreased in the tested combinations. So there is specificity among cultivars and rootstocks. The com- bination 'RWT 8154' grafted on rootstock BGCIA 941 provided higher yield and fruit quality.

The management when done so improperly can cause changes in the physical, chemical and biological soil properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of physical attributes in a dystrophic Oxisol under different vegetation covers and managements in the city of Chain southern state of Piauí. The experimental design was randomized using a split-plot with four types of cropping systems and four sampling depths, with three replications. Cropping systems were studied: Nim (Azadirachta indica), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Brachiaria decumbens and Native Forest sampling depths 0-0.10, 0.10-0.20, 0.20-0, 30 and 0.30-0.40 m. The effects of hedges and management on soil physical properties in different soil depths were recorded from the analysis of variance and treatment means compared by Tukey p <0.05. Determinations were carried out density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity, and resistance to penetration in all cropping systems. The elephant grass and native forest had the lowest values of penetration resistance and bulk density, higher values of total porosity and macroporosity, reflecting better physical condition of the soil. The area with Nim and Brachiaria was influenced by animal trampling, thus causing increase of soil density and hence the resistance to penetration.