ABSTRACT Technologies that use rhizobacteria to promote plant growth are increasing in agriculture, results have shown improvements in soil quality, increases in productivity, and decreases in the use of synthetic inputs, The objective of work was to characterize bacterial isolates regarding their biological activity and growth promotion of soybean plants grown in a controlled environment. Fifteen bacteria were isolated from soils with continuous use of biological fertilizer. They were evaluated for enzymes production (amylase and protease), nitrogen fixation, antagonistic activity to phytopathogenic fungi, and indoleacetic acid (IAA) production, Soybean seeds were inoculated with bacterial isolates in a greenhouse and evaluated for plant development and soil chemical attributes. The results showed that 8 of the 15 isolates presented production of amylase, protease, or both and 4 isolates presented nitrogen-fixing capacity. The percentage of isolates with high or moderate inhibitory action against the fungi Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Fusarium solani were 73.3%, 66.6%, and 73.3%, respectively. The IAA production varied from 8.56 to 31.33 µg mL-1 (5 isolates had low, 6 had moderate, and 4 had high production). The soybean development was significantly higher in 80% of the treatments with inoculation with bacterial isolates. Five bacterial isolates effectively present all characteristics for use as inoculant (biofertilizer) to promote the development of soybean plants.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the physical, chemical, and sensory attributes of mango varieties grown under the organic farming. Fruits from ten varieties of mango grown under the organic system in the Chapada Diamantina region, BA, Brazil, were assessed. The following physical and chemical characteristics were assessed: fruit mass, pulp yield, pulp color (L*, C*, and h*), soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), total carotenoids, and ascorbic acid. The sensory acceptance test was performed with 50 consumers using the nine-point structured hedonic scale and the attributes acidity, sweetness, and firmness of the pulp were assessed using the just-about-right scale. Differences among the varieties of mango grown under the organic production system were observed for physical, chemical and sensory attributes. The varieties showed a percentage of pulp equal or above 60%, which makes them more suitable for processing. According to the PCA analysis, the characteristics soluble solids, total carotenoids, fruit mass, titratable acidity, h* and L* were considered the most important to differentiate the mango varieties evaluated. Ubá and Beta varieties had the highest levels of SS, while Favo de Mel was characterized by the highest values of TA and L*. The varieties Favo de Mel, Palmer, Surpresa, Juazeiro 2, Imperial and Joa had fruits with higher mass and h* values and the varieties Amrapali and Roxa Embrapa 141 had the highest levels of total carotenoids. Imperial, Palmer, Beta and Joa varieties were the most accepted for all sensory attributes.

ABSTRACT The lack of knowledge of the genetic parameters and the type of gene action results in difficulties to obtain varieties that combine agronomic and functional characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine the type of gene action associated with the contents of chlorophyll and agronomic characteristics in lettuce populations. The research was conducted at the Experimental Station of Vegetables, Monte Carmelo, Brazil. To perform the crosses and obtain the generations P1, P2, F1, F2, Bc1 and Bc2 the genotypes UFU-Albina#2, UFU-Albina#3, UFU-Lisa124#2#1, UFU-Crespa199#1#1 and UFU-Lisa217#5#2 were used as parents. The generations were evaluated for three characteristics: number of leaves, plant diameter and chlorophyll content. The parameters: genetic, phenotypic, environmental and additive variance, the dominance in F2, heritability in the broad and narrow-sense, the average degree of dominance based on averages, number of genes, the measure of the dominance deviations, additive effects and all interactions of ‘additive x additive’, ‘additive x dominant’ and ‘dominant x dominant’ type, were evaluated. Chlorophyll content was the most influenced by the environment. Plant diameter had the highest narrow-sense heritability for the cross UFU-Lisa-124#2#1 x UFU-Albina#3 (82.1%). The number of genes for the number of leaves varied from inconclusive to a minimum of 9 genes. The gene interactions for number of leaves were of overdominance type, while for plant diameter and for chlorophyll content the gene interactions were of partial dominance. The characteristics are suggested as being of polygenic or oligogenic nature.

ABSTRACT Garlic is a vegetable that has a high economic importance for Brazil. However, despite increases in garlic bulb production in the last years, Brazil is still dependent on imported garlic to meet the national demand. Thus, proper management practices and the use of virus-free clove-seeds are promising alternatives to ensure a high productivity and profitability. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate production characteristics and profitability of conventional and virus-free garlic crops as a function of different clove-seed sizes and plant spacings. Two experiments were conducted simultaneously, using virus-free and conventional garlic plants in Portalegre, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in a randomized block experimental design, with four replications. The treatments were arranged in split-plot, with the clove-seed size (large and small) in the plots, and the spacing between plants (7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 cm) in the subplots. The combination between the use of virus-free clove-seeds, large clove-seed size, and spacing of 12.5 cm between plants resulted in the highest commercial bulb yield and net income, R$ (BRL) 85,151.00 ha-1. The use of large clove-seeds and spacing of 7.5 cm between plants are recommended for conventional garlic crops.

ABSTRACT This work aimed to evaluate the physiological and biochemical changes resulting from controlled deterioration in different lots of sunflower seeds. Two sunflower seed lots of the cultivar Hélio 253 were subjected to simulated deterioration, using the accelerated aging test methodology (41 °C and 100% RH) for 0, 48, 72, and 96 h. Then, the seeds were subjected to the tests of germination, first germination count, seedling length and dry matter, emergence, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, and total seedling length. The antioxidant activity was evaluated through the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POX) at 0, 2, 4, and 6 days after sowing. Deterioration caused a reduction in the germination and vigor of the seeds, mainly in the lot with lower initial vigor and for the longest exposure times (72 and 96 h). For both lots, reductions in SOD activity and increases in POX and APX were observed during seed germination, mainly after 48 h of exposure to aging deterioration. Peroxidase enzymes are activated in deteriorated and non-deteriorated sunflower seeds, mainly after two days of germination.

ABSTRACT Iron and zinc deficiency is one of the main problems affecting vulnerable populations in the Colombian Caribbean, thereby generating malnutrition from the consumption of foods with low content of essential minerals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotype-environment interaction for iron and zinc accumulation in grains in 10 cowpea bean genotypes by additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model and to select the most stable ones to stimulate their planting or as parents in the genetic improvement program. Nine promising lines and a commercial control were evaluated using the randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and four replications in 10 environments of the northern Colombia in the second semester of 2017 and first of 2018. The adaptability and stability analysis was done using AMMI model. The results showed highly significant differences at the level of environments, genotypes, and genotype-environment interaction for iron and zinc, demostrating a differential adaptability of genotypes in the test environments. Genotypes 2 and 3 expressed greater adaptability and stability for iron contents in the seed; while genotype 1, recorded it for zinc contents. These three genotypes outperformed the commercial control and, therefore, can be recommended for planting or be used as parents in the genetic improvement program.

ABSTRACT The interaction between Meloidogyne and Fusarium can alter the resistance behavior of passion fruit genotypes. The study was aimed to evaluate the reaction of genotypes of Passiflora spp. to Meloidogyne incognita race 3 (Mi)-Fusarium solani (Fs) complex. The assay was carried using RBD in the factorial arrangement: 10 genotypes (BRS-SC, M-19-UFV, P. alata, P. nitida, P. giberti, P.setacea, P. mucronata, P. murifolia, P. cincinnata, P. ligularis) x 3 treatments (Mi, Mi+Fs, Fs). After 180 days of planting the reaction to Mi was determined by RF (Pi/Pf) and to Fs by lesions size in roots and stems. According to the criteria of Oostenbrink and Moura and Regis, BRS-SC, M-19-UFV. P. alata and P. cincinnata behaved as resistant and P. giberti as susceptible. According to the Taylor and Sasser, BRS-SC, M-19-UFV, P. alata, P. cincinnata and P. giberti behaved as resistant, moderately resistant, moderately suscetible and susceptible, respectively. Lower percentage of plants with symtoms of Fs was found in P. mucronata, P. nitida, P. setacea, P. cincinnata and M-19-UFV In the presence of both pathogens, M-19-UFV, P. alata and P. nitida were those with larger lesion. In the presence de Fs, BRS-SC, P. alata, P. cincinnata and P. ligularis showed the largest lesions.

ABSTRACT Caryocar brasiliense Camb. is a typical species from the Cerrado that represents a relevant income for the population where the fruit is produced. The ocorrence of insect pests provokes damage in the fruit and making its commercialization unfeasible. Then, this study aimed to identify the pest insect the fruit and the pit; to compare the morphological features of the fruit and pit and the damage caused by insects among mother plants and their origins and correlate the fruit and pit morphological features with the damage caused by the insects. Three different origins were evaluated, 12 mother plants by origin and ten fruit by mother plant. All the fruit were opened, checked for the insect damage and the fruit and pit morphological variables were determined. The insects that caused damage to the pequi embryo were identified as Carmenta sp. (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) and Amblycerus sp (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The probability analysis showed significant effect on the mother plants and origins for the percentage of fruit and pit attacked where the location of Laje Velha obtained the lowest rates of the insect attack. The fruit and pit of the Fruta de Leite were bigger and heavier than the others, while the correlations among the predation rate and the other morphological variables of the fruit and pit were not significant. Amblycerus sp. and Carmenta sp. may be considered potential pests of pequi, with the risk of compromising the pequizeiro populations and the regional economics.

ABSTRACT Coconut meal can be an affordable low-cost alternative to noble ingredients such as corn and soybean meal in sheep diets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of coconut meal inclusions, when used as a corn and soybean meal replacement, on the intake, digestibility, and nitrogen balance of sheep diets. Twenty-four male Santa Inês lambs with body weights (BW) of 26.6 ± 3.2 kg were used in the study. The animals were housed in metabolic cages and distributed in a completely randomized block design, with three treatments and eight replications. The animals received a total mixed ratio of 30% roughage (elephant grass) and 70% concentrate. The animals were fed on two experimental diets with 11% and 22% coconut meal inclusion and a control diet (without coconut meal). Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) intake as a percentage of BW were negatively influenced by the inclusion of coconut meal. The ether extract (EE) intake increased but did not differ between the 11% and 22% coconut meal diets. Furthermore, the digestibility of DM, CP, EE, and ADF did not differ between the two evaluated diets. The inclusion of coconut meal reduced NDF digestibility and increased that of NFC. The level of inclusion of coconut meal in the diet must be based on the EE content in the meal; keeping the EE intake below 0.16% of the BW helped to avoid limited intake of feed.

ABSTRACT Mastitis is an important infirmity that affects dairy goats and sheep flocks. Antimicrobials are widely used in mastitis therapy; however, the phenomenon of bacterial resistance has sparked interest in therapeutic alternatives, especially the research on essential oils from several plant species. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils against pathogens of importance in caprine and ovine mastitis. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and the chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils (EO) of four plants. Fifteen bacterial isolates, previously identified as Staphylococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus, were used. The following plant species were used against the 15 bacterial isolates: Lippia origanoides “alecrim pimenta,” Lippia alba “erva cidreira,” Cymbopogon citratus “capim-santo,” and Ocimum basilicum “manjericão.” The first three essential oils presented antimicrobial activity against 100% of the isolates (15/15), with MICs of 560 µg mL-1, 1,173 µg mL-1, and 1,280 µg mL-1, and MBCs of 613 µg mL-1, 1,226 µg mL-1, and 1,333 µg mL-1, respectively. Nevertheless, the essential oil of O. basilicum, which was also tested, exerted no activity against any of the isolates. Carvacrol, citral, geraniol, and estragole were some of the major compounds found. These results can aid other studies that aim to use these essential oils as potential products for subsequent use in the treatment of mastitis in small ruminants.