Seed hydration is considered the most important external factor interfering on germination. This study evaluated the tolerance of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud seeds to water and salt stresses during germination. Seed germination was observed in four 100-seed replications, in polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) or sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions with four osmotic potentials levels (0; -0.5; -1.0 and -2.0 MPa), arranged according to a completely random design, simulating water and salt stresses, respectively, using four replications of 100 seeds. The germination percentage and germination velocity index were estimated. Percentage germination of the control seeds averaged 94%, and reduced to 77.6% and 44.3% in -1.0 MPa NaCl and PEG solutions, respectively. No germination was observed in -2.0 MPa. Germination velocity index showed the same trend. Gliricidia sepium seeds showed less tolerance to water than to salt stress, and in this condition they are not tolerate to osmotic stress up to -0,5 MPa.

An experiment was carried out at a greenhouse of Plant Science Department of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró-RN, in the period of May to June of 2008, with the evaluate the agronomic performance of rocket in function of their times of decomposition of Ipomoea asarifolia incorporated. A completely randomized desing with six treatments and four replications. The treatments consist of: T1 (45 days incorporated); T2 (30 days incorporated); T3 (15 days incorporated); T4 (0 days incorporated); T5 (336g vaso-1bovine manure); T6 (Control no fertilized soil). The rocket cultivar grown was cv. Cultivada. The evaluated traits were: plant height, number of leaves per pot, dry mass and yield of grains. All the times traits were significantly affected by the amounts of Ipomoea asarifolia incorporated. Height mean value for plant height, dry mass and yield of grains were obtained in the time 11,8 days incorporated of 18,3 days for number of leaves.

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.

To contribute to knowledge about plants of nutritional importance the work aims to study the motion of absorption of nutrients in lettuce in hydroponic system. Set up an experiment in Fazenda Canto Verde, Mossoró, RN, in the design in randomized blocks with four replicates and treatments were made by the six times of sampling: 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 days after transplanting (DAT). We evaluated the production of fresh and dry weight of shoot, focus and content of macronutrients accumulated over time. The cultivar received 5.12 kg m-2 yield. In terms of concentration of nutrients in the shoot, the nutrients N, P and K showed levels consistent with the literature cited, and the potassium in the nutrient most obviously during the cycle, giving behavior in the concentration over the cycle, so cube. The content of nutrients (mg plant-1) had high value for potassium (641.7 mg plant-1), below normal for phosphorus (31.9 mg plant-1) and according to the literature for nitrogen (295.4 mg plant-1).

The objective of the present work was to characterize melon plant accessions collected in the Brazilian Northeast. They were appraised 42 accessions and four you cultivate commercial, in the years of 2006 and 2007, in twoexperiments in randomized blocks with two replications. 24 traits were used, being 1 of the seed, 11 of fruits, 7 inflorescência, 4 of the leaf and 2 of the plant. The accesses belonged to the botanical group Cantalupensis, Momordica, Conomon and not defined group. Great variation was observed among the accessions for all the traits, especially in the fruit descritores. Variation was verified among and within of the studied botanical groups, mainly in the group Cantalupensis. In a general way, the accesses were fruitful, productive, with long fruits of intermediate size the big ones, with low pulp firmness and lower content of soluble solids. The characterization of the accessions with relationship to the fruit traits can aid the improvement programs. Some accessions can be used to increased the fruitful and the productivity of the melon through crossings with elite cultivars.

The Calotropis procera has been an alternative feed for the ruminants in the brasilian semiarid region, presenting fast establishment and constant availability of fitomassa, until 3.0 t of DM/cut, in the dry season. On the aspect biochemical studies have detected various active substances as cardiac glycosides, non enzymatic proteins and enzimatics proteins, that can cause toxicity in animals when inserted in their diet. In nutritional terms, this species provides important nutrients with emphasis on protein, average value of 20%, and in vitro digestibility above 70%. It researches they showed that the intake of C. procera by goats and sheep in the form in nature can cause deaths, however, to make the process of hay and silage the toxicological effects are reduced. The utilization of C. procera is promissing, needing studies for maximize of the productivity; biochemical evaluation for identification of active substances, their mechanisms and local action in the animal, as well as testing to obtain the safe levels for inclusion in various forms of supply (in natura, hay and silage).

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilization, applied in covering, on the yield and quality of sugarcane (Saccharum ssp., variety SP- 716949) under irrigation. The experiment was conducted in an area of the Miriri`s distillery, in the Capim district, PB. The treatments were constituted by four levels of covering fertilization: AC1- 85 kg ha-1 ( 44 kg de N plus 41 kg de K2O), AC2 - 167 kg ha-1 (86 kg de N plus 81 kg de K2O), AC3 - 305 kg ha-1 (157 kg de N plus 148 kg de K2O), AC4 - 458 kg ha-1 (236 kg de N plus 222 kg de K2O), arranged in an experimental design of randomized blocks, with three replications. The analyzed variables were: productivity of stems, percentage of ºBrix, Pol and PCC, yield of sugar and alcohol. Among of studied variables, just the productivity of stems was affected significantly (p < 0.05) by the fertilization. The regression analyses revealed that the largest productivity of the stems (108.21 t ha-1), the maximum percentage of PCC and ºBrix (14.35 e 20.40%) and the maximum yield of alcohol (9948 L ha-1) were obtained with the level of covering fertilization of 458 kg ha-1 (236 kg de N plus 222 kg of K2O).

The experiment was carried out at a greenhouse of Plant Science Department of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), Mossoró-RN, with the objective of determing the best treatment with scarlet starglory to with soil on rocket performance cv. Cultivated. A completely randomized desing with six treatments and four replications. The treatments consist of: T1 (scarlet starglory in coverage 35 days) T2 (scarlet starglory in coverage 28 days); T3 (scarlet starglory in coverage 21 days); T4 (scarlet starglory in coverage 14 days); T5 (scarlet starglory in coverage 7 days); T6 - Control (no fertilized soil). The evaluated traits were: plant height, number of leaves per pot, dry mass and yield of grains. The different times of jitirana significantly in coverage plant height, number of leaves per pot, dry mass and yield. The time of 35 days was what provided the greatest increases in plant height, leaf number, yield of green mass and dry.

The occurrence of the Utetheisa ornatrix (L., 1758) 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.

With the objective to determine the influence of the dehydration and of the size and/or weight on germination percentage and the vigor of jussara palm seeds (Euterpe edulis Mart.), 10 individuals' ripe fruits, picked in the Experimental Station of Ubatuba (IAC) they were classified by size in 5 sieves of circular sieve: 26/64¿ (10,31mm), 28/64" (11,11mm), 30/64" (11,90mm), 32/64" (12,69mm) and 34/64" (13,49mm). It was determined, the medium weight of the classified seeds. The quality of the seeds was evaluated through the following parameters: water content of the seeds; germination and vigor (first germination counting). It was evaluated the drying speed of different seed sizes for 48 hours, in dry chamber. The sizes of 28/64", 30/64" and 32/64" represented 98,7% of the total weight of the harvested seeds and showed similar drying speed, percentage of germination and vigor. With the increase of the drying period, the smaller seeds (28/64") had their germination less affected them the intermediate (30/64") and bigger sized seeds (32/64").