This work was carried out to evaluate the use of a hydrogel polymer in melon crop under different irrigation depths, with the objective of improve water retention, and efficiency of water and nutrient utilization by plants. One trial consisted of two treatments with four replications: a treatment with irrigation depth corresponding to 75% of gross depth and 27g of the soil conditioner per plant; the control with irrigation depth equal to the gross depth and without conditioner. The following characteristics were evaluated: root length, yield and quality of melon fruits. Root growth was bigger in the plants where soil conditioner was used. Use of soil conditioner provided an increase on melon yield and number of fruits per linear meter. Mean fruit weight and total soluble solids were not influenced by soil conditioner application and irrigation depth reduction.

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.

A survey was made of the plant species used in popular medicine in the coastal city of Natal, and the rural city of Santa Cruz, both in the northeastern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Norte. Information on the medicinal properties of the plants was obtained from interviews with local residents performed between February and August, 2005 and between September and December, 2007. In each area, 100 inhabitants filled out standard forms, for a total of 300 interviews. Data was collected on the plant (popular name, part of the plant used, form of use and function) and on the population (age group, sex and schooling). We recorded 57 species distributed into 54 genuses and 34 botanical families. Regardless of schooling level, more than 50% of the respondents reported using plant species for curing a wide assortment of ailments. The most used families in terms of number of species were: Lamiaceae (seven), Euphorbiaceae (four), Myrtaceae (four), Zingiberaceae (three) and Lauraceae (three). Around 49% of the species were common to the three areas studied. The most used plant parts for preparing remedies, which are used mainly for treating respiratory diseases, were the leaves, fruits and roots. Teas are the most common form of dispensing the medicine. A table is presented containing information, especially on the use and function of the species, as described in the interviews.

Honey samples produced in Limoeiro do Norte, state of Ceará, were stored during 180 days in two types of container, plastic and metallic, and its characteristics were monitored during the storage period by means of moisture content, HMF, reducers sugars, apparent sucrose, ash, free acidity, insoluble solids in water, diastatic activity, pH and oBrix. Moisture and free acidity have been determined matching the methodology recommended by AOAC. HMF, reducers sugars and apparent sucrose have been determined by LANARA methodology. Ash, insoluble solids in water have been determined according to CAC. The experimental data were appraised through factorial analysis 2 x 7 (two packings and seven times of storage 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days). The analyses of the stored samples lead to the conclusion that the physical chemical variables have matched the standards established by the effective legislation, except for HMF, which after 180 days of storage revealed values superior to those demanded by the brazilian legislation for both types of containers. The plastic container provided a better conservation of the honey as for the HMF content.

The present work had as main objective to identify and to characterize rural producers as well as it productive systems. The characterization of the small producing native of northeastern Brazil, supported in a scientific knowledge about the local agricultural reality, is fundamental to elaborate politics of diffusion of technologies, programs and projects of agricultural development for the northeast. The disorganization of the productive chain and the little articulation among the different segments of this chain, allied the lack of zootecnic control, to the genetic standard bass of the flocks and the technical, managerial less information and of market of the producers it has been resulting in low productive indexes dedicated to the exploration of the cattle raising in Brazil. For initiative of the Clerkship of Agriculture of Quixeramobim a questionnaire was elaborated in partnership with IBAMA, SEBRAE and EMATERCE. The same was applied in the 11 districts of the municipal district in an eclectic and including way, in order to obtain a sampling the most representative possible. The great totality of the producers maintains a typical profile of the family agriculture, with emphasis in the subsistence, little technological progress and little specialization. Turning them less competitive and more susceptible to the adversities, be of physical, climatological, managerial nature or the commerce.

Erosivity is the potential ability of rain to cause erosion on somewhere. With the objective of mapping the rainfall erosivity in the entire State of Pernambuco, the average monthly values of the EI30 index with were correlated with Fournier rainfall coefficient and the average monthly precipitation, as well as the yearly values of the index EI with average yearly precipitation values. Data from 11 localities representative of their distinct climatic regions were utilized. From the best regression equations found for each region, the average yearly values of the EI30 index were calculated ( Factor R of Universal Soil Loss Equation - USLE) for 96 localities in the State, based on periods of 14 to 75 years of rainfall records. The values of erosivity found varied from 1,500 to 10,000 (Mj mm ha-1 h-1 year-1), where the Zona da Mata, Agreste and Sertão regions presented a moderate erosive potential, with values from 1,500 to 3,500 (Mj mm ha-1 h-1 year-1). The litoral region, was characterized by high erosivity, with annual average values of the index EI bethween 5.500 to 10.000 (Mj mm ha-1 h-1 year-1).

This research aimed to study competition effects of legumes intercropping and weeds on seeds yield and quality of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. The experiment was carried out in a Rhodic Nitisol, under field condition in Botucatu region, São Paulo State, Brazil. Ten treatments were tested: sorghum (cv. A-6304) intercropped with Dolichos lablab L., Mucuna aterrima (Piper et Tracy) Holland, Canavalia ensiformis D.C. or Crotalaria juncea L., that were sown in the same time of sorghum or 20 days after the sorghum sowing, and sorghum weed-free and sorghum without weeding. The experimental design employed was the completely randomized blocks with four replications. There were evaluated sorghum seeds yield and some characteristcs of seed quality: purity, hectolitric weight, 1000 seeds weight, insect infestation, germination and vigor (by first counting of germination test and accelerated ageing test). The competition caused by legumes intercropping and weeds affected the yield and the physical and physiological characteristics of sorghum seeds, but the intensity of prejudicial effects depended on the time and the species of legume intercropping.

The present study aimed to evaluate the interference of cows genotype and calving order on the milk production and composition during lactation period. Thirty six cow (19 Gir and 17 Guzera) were the studied population, analyzed from October 2005 to February 2008. Gir and Guzera cows showed no significant differences between daily milk production amount of milk produced in 305 days and of lactation duration. There were significant differences in milk fat for Gir and Guzer multiparous, and milk protein for Gir and Guzer primiparous and multiparous. Multiparous Gir cow showed higher lactose rate than Guzera cow. Calving order among cows that multiparous produced milk containing higher fat levels than cow at first giving birth. Total solid (TS) end nonfat dry extract (NDE) was significantly different of both primiparous and multiparous animals between genotypes, except for TS primiparous cows. It was used Student-T test to compare different milk characteristics between genotypes and calving order, setting at 5%. In conclusion, the calving order and genotype do not affect Gir and Guzera milk production, but however, milk composition was interference.

Zizyphus joazeiro tree is a typical semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil, is mainly in the areas of crystalline basement in lower parts, where soils are deeper. It is endemic to biome caatinga, has great economic potential and importance to the semi-arid region, both in terms of socio-environmental, adds several species of bees, insects and birds, and for animal feed as fodder. The objective was to evaluate the possible effects of water stress and salt in the germination of seeds of Zizyphus joazeiro. The number of seeds in 100 per treatment, 04 repetitions of 25 seeds were placed to germinate on filter paper soaked with different solutions of NaCl and PEG 6000 (2.5 share the weight of paper: 1.0 solution or water) in potential 0.0 (control distilled water); -0.3, -0.6; and -0.9 MPa. Then were placed in the germination chamber at a temperature of 30 ºC in the presence of light. The results led to the conclusion that salt stress provides further reduction in the germination and speed of germination of Zizyphus joazeiro seeds than the water stress, regardless of the substance used for stress induction, germination limit was 0.6 to -0.9 MPa.