Studies have shown that the Caatinga has two vegetation types related to different soils originated from crystalline and sedimentary. However, it is unclear whether the flora as a whole varies in relation to this difference or if it only varies for certain plant habits. This article provides a comparative analysis of the different habits of flowering plant species that occur on different soil types in a semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Sixty plots (10 x 10m) were established to collect woody species and 300 plots (1 x 1m) were established to collect herbaceous species. The plots were in soils of crystalline and sedimentary origin, and drainage and relief were taken into consideration. One hundred and fifty species distributed in 40 families were recorded. Species richness was greatest in Leguminosae (37 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (16 spp.) and Convolvulaceae (13 spp.). There were 101 woody species and 49 herbaceous species, suggesting that the woody habit responds better to local morpho-pedological differences.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of salinity in the growth and nitrogen fixation in leucaena. Plants were cultivated in Leonard pots containing clean and sterilized sand. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 3x3 factorial, with five replicates. The first factor corresponded to no inoculation and inoculation with Bradyrhizobium sp SEMIA 6070 and SEMIA 6153 strains. The second factor corresponded to NaCl concentrations: 0, 25 and 50 mol m-3. Were analyzed the height and dry matter accumulation, the number of nodules and nitrogen in plants. The inoculation of plants with the strain SEMIA 6070 provided higher growth and greater nitrogen accumulation in plants thar were not subject to salinity. Nodulation was not affected by salinity. Inoculation with SEMIA 6153 strain provided greater tolerance to salinity.

This work had the objective of checking the echophysiological behavior of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] cv. BRS Xique-xique cultivated under different levels of hydric deficit. The plants were cultivated in vases with capacity for 10L, containing one substratum composed by: 88,45% sand, 3,71% of clay, 7,84 % of silte. The experimental design was entirely randomized with three treatments (TO- reposition of 100% of lost water by evapotranspiration, T1- reposition of 50% and T2- reposition of 25%) and five repelicates. Previously, T1 and T2 suffered a period of stress and were later rehydrated. In the day of the assessment, the plants of T1 had been undergone to stress for three days, while the plants T2 for 5 days. The variables analyzed were: leaf water potential, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal CO2 concentration and foliar temperature. The fewest availability of water caused reductions in the net photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance and transpiration in T1 and T2 when they were compared to T0. The internal CO2 concentration in T2 was the greater among analyzed treatments. The reposition of 50 % of the lost water hasn´t caused any damage in the net photosynthesis.

The mobility and persistency of cadmium in the soil are determined by the intensity of adsorption by colloids. The evaluation of the free energy of cadmium adsorption by the soil is a measurement of the reaction strength. This study was carried out to evaluate the free energy of cadmium adsorption reaction in Luvisol and Cambisol samples after addition of different cadmium level. Cadmium adsorption was considered spontaneous, since free energy was negative. Free energy values decreased with increasing cadmium concentration and they were higher in samples with higher organic matter levels. Luvisol showed higher values of free energy of adsorption.

This work was carried out in an area covered by the caatinga (savanna-like) vegetation in order to study insect-plant interactions, with emphasis on the pollination agents of the Apoideae superfamily. The study site is situated in the municipality of Caturité, Paraíba, Northeast Brazil (7o 25' 12" S; 36 o 1' 37" W). Plant species visited by bees were identified, as well as the Hymenopterans considered as their visitors. Sixteen Angiospermae species from nine families were identified as being associated to bees in the woody and herbaceous strata. The most visited plant families were Fabaceae (50%) and Anacardiaceae (12.5%). Anandenanthera macrocarpa (Benth) and Senna spectabillis had the greatest numbers of visitors (85% and 57% respectively). Among the pollinating bees, the one which visited more plant species was Trigona spinipes (Fabricius). It was found visiting 81.25% of the plant species under study.

The effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) on spore germination of arbuscular mycorrizal fungi (AMF) and the co-inoculation of these organisms on aclimatization of micropropagated pineapple cv. Pérolaseedlings were evaluated. The germination study was performed in a completely randomized design (CRD), factorial of 3 (G. albida, G. etunicatum, S. heterogama) × 4 (C210, RAB9, ENF10 and control) with five replicates, in plate with water-agar, where the bacteria and spores were inoculated and evaluated after 21 and 28 days. The co-inoculation study was performed in a CRD, factorial of 5 (G. albida, G. etunicatum, S. heterogama, mixture ofAMF and control) × 5 (C210, RAB9, ENF10, mixture of PGPB and control) and six replicates. At the 21th day RAB9 stimulated germination of G. albida in relation to the others PGPB; ENF10 stimulated the germination of G. etunicatum in relation to absence of bacteria, where the spores did not germinate; differences were not observed for S. heterogama. At the 28th day C210 inhibited the germination of G. albida. In both periods, G. albida showed higher germination rate. In absence of PGPB,G. albida improved growth more than G. etunicatum. The effect of G. albida on seedlings can be inhibited by C210 and by the bacterial mixture. It was confirmed that AMF germination can be stimulated or inhibited in presence of PGPB while the mycorrhizal symbiosis can be inhibited. In general co-inoculation of AMF and PGPB did not improve growth of pineapple cv. Pérola during the aclimatization period until the 90th day.

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.

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.

This work it objectified determination apparent digestibility of Dry Matter (DM), of Fraction Crude Protein (CP), of Gross Energy (GE) and the Digestible Energy (DEa) and Digestible Protein (DPa) of the waste guava meal and coconut meal. 75 figerlings of Nile tilapia had used been (with initial weight of 20,00 ± 5,0g), kept per 25 days in glass aquariums (70 L of water, each one), were fed to satiation, in small fractions to each 2 hours, of the 8:00 to 17:00h, with three diets (three repetitions each one) contend 0,10% of oxide chromic (marked intern): a) the reference (half-purified); b) 30 % coconut meal and c) 30% of waste guava meal. The feces had been by "sifonagem" two times for day (in beginning of the morning and afternoon end). The values of digestibility of waste guava meal had been: DM 43,36%; CP 61,49%, GE 64,24%; DEa 3601,03 kcal/kg e DPa 6,89% and for coconut meal: MD 60,36%; CP 75,62%, GE 37,10%; DEa 1878,74 kcal/kg e DPa 15,60%. The tested ingredients present potential to be used in rations for figerlings of Nile tilapia.