This study aimed to identify the response of wandering jew (Commelina benghalensis L.) plants to different doses of glufosinate ammonium and the sensitivity of plants populations to the herbicide. Two studies were conducted, both in a greenhouse, and were repeated at different times. In the first study, two experiments were conducted to examine the dose-response curve using seven different doses of the glufosinate ammonium herbicide (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 g a.i. ha-1) with four replicates each. In the second study, which examined the range in sensitivity of wandering jew plants to glufosinate ammonium, 26 plants were sprayed with a dose of 200 g a.i. ha-1 herbicide. Visual assessments of percent injury and measurements of leaf tissue ammonium content were conducted. The use of untreated wandering jew control plants allowed for the correlation of glufosinate ammonium treatment with the ammonium concentrations in treated plant tissues; the ammonium concentration increased as a function of herbicide application, albeit not linearly with the dose. Ammonium content varied among individuals of the wandering jew plant population.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify the response of wandering jew (Commelina benghalensis L.) plants to different doses of glufosinate ammonium and the sensitivity of plants populations to the herbicide. Two studies were conducted, both in a greenhouse, and were repeated at different times. In the first study, two experiments were conducted to examine the dose-response curve using seven different doses of the glufosinate ammonium herbicide (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 g a.i. ha-1) with four replicates each. In the second study, which examined the range in sensitivity of wandering jew plants to glufosinate ammonium, 26 plants were sprayed with a dose of 200 g a.i. ha-1 herbicide. Visual assessments of percent injury and measurements of leaf tissue ammonium content were conducted. The use of untreated wandering jew control plants allowed for the correlation of glufosinate ammonium treatment with the ammonium concentrations in treated plant tissues; the ammonium concentration increased as a function of herbicide application, albeit not linearly with the dose. Ammonium content varied among individuals of the wandering jew plant population. | RESUMO Esse trabalho teve como objetivo identificar a resposta de plantas de trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis L.) a diferentes doses de amônio glufosinate e a sensibilidade de uma população de plantas ao herbicida. Foram realizados dois estudos, ambos implantados em casa de vegetação e repetidos em diferentes momentos. No primeiro, referente à curva de dose-resposta, realizou-se dois experimentos, tendo como tratamentos sete doses do herbicida amônio glufosinate (0; 50; 100; 200; 400; 800; 1600 g i.a. ha-1), com quatro repetições cada. Já no segundo, referente à variação da sensibilidade da trapoeraba ao amônio glufosinate, 26 plantas foram pulverizadas com a dose de 200 g i.a. ha-1 do herbicida. Realizou-se avaliações visuais de injúria e análises do teor de amônia nos tecidos foliares. O controle de plantas de trapoeraba pelo amônio glufosinate pode ser correlacionado ao teor de amônia nos tecidos vegetais, que aumenta em função da aplicação do herbicida, porém não de forma linear em função da dose. Houve variabilidade quanto ao teor de amônia entre indivíduos de uma população de trapoeraba.

In arid and semi - arid regions, the quality of irrigation water varies in geographic terms and during the year, and the occurrence of water with high concentrations of salts is common. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the emergence, growth and production of sesame, cultivar CNPA G3, irrigated with saline water and fertilized with N of different carrier proportions by the ratio of nitrate and ammonium ( NO 3 - - N and NH 4 + - N) in an experiment conducted in lysimeters arranged in a greenhouse in the municipality of Campina Grande - PB, Brazil. The treatments were distributed into randomized blocks using a 5 × 5 factorial scheme relative to levels of irrigation water salinity (ECw; 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 dS m - 1 ) and five proportions of NO 3 - - N/NH 4 + - N (200/0; 150/50; 100/100; 50/150 and 0/200 mg of N kg - 1 ), with three replicates. The increase in ECw compromised the emergence, growth and production of sesame, cultivar CNPA G3, and the production components were the most sensitive variables. The highest growth in diameter was obtained with the proportion of 200/0 mg kg - 1 of NO 3 - - N /NH 4 + - N . An ECw level of 3.0 dS m - 1 and fertilization with 0/200 mg kg - 1 of NO 3 - - N /NH 4 + - N promoted deleterious effects on the total mass of sesame fruits and mass of seeds. The interaction between water salinity levels and NO 3 - /NH 4 + proportions significantly affected the number of leaves (at 50 and 70 days after sowing), the total mass of fruits and the mass of seeds.

ABSTRACT In arid and semi-arid regions, the quality of irrigation water varies in geographic terms and during the year, and the occurrence of water with high concentrations of salts is common. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the emergence, growth and production of sesame, cultivar CNPA G3, irrigated with saline water and fertilized with N of different carrier proportions by the ratio of nitrate and ammonium ( NO --N and NH +-N) in an experiment conducted in lysimeters arranged in a greenhouse in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. The treatments were distributed into randomized blocks using a 5 × 5 factorial scheme relative to levels of irrigation water salinity (ECw; 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 dS m-1) and five proportions of NO3 -N/NH4 -N (200/0; 150/50; 100/100; 50/150 and 0/200 mg of N kg-1), with three replicates. The increase in ECw compromised the emergence, growth and production of sesame, cultivar CNPA G3, and the production components were the most sensitive variables. The highest growth in diameter was obtained with the proportion of 200/0 mg kg -1 of NO3 -N/NH4 -N. An ECw level of 3.0 dS m and fertilization with 0/200 mg kg of NO3 -N/NH4 -N promoted deleterious effects on the total mass of sesame fruits and mass of seeds. The interaction between water salinity levels and NO3-/NH4 proportions significantly affected the number of leaves (at 50 and 70 days after sowing), the total mass of fruits and the mass of seeds. | RESUMO Nas regiões áridas e semiáridas a qualidade da água usada na irrigação varia em termos geográficos e ao longo do ano, sendo comum a ocorrência de águas com elevada concentração de sais. Neste contexto, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a emergência, crescimento e a produção do gergelim cv. CNPA G3 irrigado com águas salinas e adubado com proporções de N pela relação nitrato e amônio (N-NO - e N-NH +) em ensaio conduzido em lisímetros dispostos em casa de vegetação no município de Campina Grande, PB. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso usando o esquema fatorial 5 x 5 relativos aos valores de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação - CEa (0,6; 1,2; 1,8; 2,4 e 3,0 dS m-1) e cinco proporções de NO -N/NH4 N (200/0; 150/50; 100/100; 50/150; 0/200 mg de N kg ), com três repetições. O aumento da CEa comprometeu a emergência, o crescimento e a produção do gergelim cv CNPA G3, sendo os componentes de produção as variáveis mais sensíveis. O maior crescimento em diâmetro do caule foi obtido com proporção de 200/0 mg kg-1 de NO3 -N/NH4 -N. Nível de CEa de 3,0 dS m e adubação com 0/200 mg kg de NO3 -N/NH4 -N promoveram efeito deletério sobre a massa total de frutos e na massa de sementes do gergelim. A interação entre os níveis salinos das águas e as proporções de nitrato e amônio afetou significativamente o número de folhas (aos 50 e 70 dias após a semeadura), a massa total de frutos e a massa de sementes.

Nitrogen (N) is the second most important nutrient required by watermelons that can limit their growth and affect fruit quality when deficient. We evaluated the soil (N-nitrate) and foliar N contents and soluble-solid content of the watermelon 'Top Gun' in Brazil at six rates of N fertilization (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1). N-nitrate and foliar N levels increased linearly with rate. Number of total and marketable fruit, weight of total and marketable fruit and total and marketable yields varied quadratically with rate. N rates of 187 and 184 kg ha-1 produced the highest total and marketable yields, respectively. The rate of N fertilization did not significantly affect total-solid content.

RESUMO O nitrogênio (N) é o segundo nutriente mais demandado pela melancia e o que mais limita o seu crescimento e afeta a qualidade quando em deficiência. Foi avaliada a concentração de N no solo (N-nitrato), o teor de N na planta e sólidos solúveis da melancia 'Top Gun’ no Brasil, com seis doses de N (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 e 250 kg ha-1). Os valores de N-nitrato e N foliar aumentaram linearmente com as doses de N. Número de frutos total e comercial, massa de frutos total e comercial e produtividade total e comercial apresentaram efeito quadrático. A maior produtividade total e comercial foram obtidas com 187 e 184 kg ha -1 de N, respectivamente. As doses de N não influenciaram no teor de sólidos solúveis. | ABSTRACT Nitrogen (N) is the second most important nutrient required by watermelons that can limit their growth and affect fruit quality when deficient. We evaluated the soil (N-nitrate) and foliar N contents and soluble-solid content of the watermelon 'Top Gun' in Brazil at six rates of N fertilization (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1). N-nitrate and foliar N levels increased linearly with rate. Number of total and marketable fruit, weight of total and marketable fruit and total and marketable yields varied quadratically with rate. N rates of 187 and 184 kg ha-1 produced the highest total and marketable yields, respectively. The rate of N fertilization did not significantly affect total-solid content.

The characterization of litterfall in forest and agroforest systems is important to better understand the cycling of nutrients, however, few studies on litterfall of fruit trees, such as banana, are found. Therefore, the objective of this work was assess the production and decomposition and chemically characterize the litterfall of banana genotypes cropped in a dystrophic typical Red-Yellow Latossol, with weak A horizon, medium texture in a hypo-xerophytic Caatinga in the Southwest of Bahia, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with twelve treatments (genotypes) and five replications. The genotypes Preciosa, Pacovan-Ken and Maravilha presented the greatest dry weight. The genotype Fhia18 showed the longest half-life of litterfall decomposition. The banana genotypes Preciosa, Maravilha and Pacovan-Ken produce the greatest contents of litterfall, and their chemical characterization shows the descending order Ca>N>Mg>K>S>P for macronutrients and Fe>Mn>B>Zn>Cu for micronutrients. The banana genotypes PV-79-34, Garantida, Pacovan, JV-42-135, Prata-Anã, Pacovan-Ken, Preciosa and Maravilha present the lowest number of days for decomposition of the litterfall accumulated.

ABSTRACT The characterization of litterfall in forest and agroforest systems is important to better understand the cycling of nutrients, however, few studies on litterfall of fruit trees, such as banana, are found. Therefore, the objective of this work was assess the production and decomposition and chemically characterize the litterfall of banana genotypes cropped in a dystrophic typical Red-Yellow Latossol, with weak A horizon, medium texture in a hypo-xerophytic Caatinga in the Southwest of Bahia, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with twelve treatments (genotypes) and five replications. The genotypes Preciosa, Pacovan-Ken and Maravilha presented the greatest dry weight. The genotype Fhia18 showed the longest half-life of litterfall decomposition. The banana genotypes Preciosa, Maravilha and Pacovan-Ken produce the greatest contents of litterfall, and their chemical characterization shows the descending order Ca>N>Mg>K>S>P for macronutrients and Fe>Mn>B>Zn>Cu for micronutrients. The banana genotypes PV-79-34, Garantida, Pacovan, JV-42-135, Prata-Anã, Pacovan-Ken, Preciosa and Maravilha present the lowest number of days for decomposition of the litterfall accumulated. | RESUMO A caracterização da serapilheira em sistemas florestais e agroflorestais mostra-se importante no entendimento da ciclagem de nutrientes, no entanto, estudos em frutíferas, como a bananeira, ainda são escassos. Objetivou-se determinar a produção, decomposição e caracterização química da serapilheira em genótipos de bananeira no Sudoeste Baiano em Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo distrófico típico, com horizonte A fraco, textura média, fase caatinga hipoxerófila. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, constituído de doze tratamentos (genótipos) e cinco repetições. Os genótipos Preciosa, Pacovan-Ken e Maravilha, apresentaram as maiores produções de massa seca. Para decomposição de 50 % da massa seca da serapilheira, observou-se que o genótipo Fhia18 apresentou o maior tempo de decomposição. Os genótipos Preciosa, Maravilha e Pacovan-Ken apresentam maiores produções de serapilheira com caracterização química em ordem crescente para os macronutrientes Ca>N>Mg>K>S>P e micronutrientes Fe>Mn>B>Zn>Cu. Os genótipos PV-79-34, Garantida, Pacovan, JV-42-135, Prata-Anã, Pacovan-Ken, Preciosa, Maravilha apresenta menores números de dias para decomposição da serapilheira acumulada.

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of bovine biofertilizer on passion fruit production and fruit quality. We carried out an experiment in the city of Nova Floresta, Paraíba State, Brazil. It was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and three plants per plot. We adopted a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, which evaluated three passion fruit genotypes and five cattle biofertilizer doses. The assessed genotypes consisted of a local one (Guinezinho - LG) and two hybrids (BRS Gigante Amarelo - GA and BRS Sol do Cerrado - SC). We applied five rates of cattle biofertilizer (B) monthly at a constant volume of 5 L plant-1, after diluting in irrigation water (W) at an electrical conductivity of 1.4 dS m-1. The evaluated rates were 0% (100% irrigation water - 0B + 5W), 10% (1B + 9W), 20% (2B + 8W), 30% (3B + 7W) and 40% (4B + 6W). Every week, we sampled, counted and weighed fruit to gather data on fruit number per plant, pant production, and yield. At peak production, we also sampled two fruit randomly from each plot floor area. These fruits were used for determinations of the average mass in fruit, peel and pulp (seeds + juice), peel thickness, fruit diameter and length, pulp yield, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, pH and pulp electrical conductivity. As a result, we observed that the biofertilizer did not compromise both LG and GA production capacity. Overall, the biofertilizer doses provided quality characteristics superior to those required by the fruit market.

RESUMO Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de doses de biofertilizante bovino na produção e qualidade e frutos um experimento foi conduzido no município de Nova Floresta, PB, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e três plantas por parcela, adotando o esquema fatorial 3G x 5B, referente a três genótipos: Genótipo Local (Guinezinho) e dois híbridos, o BRS Sol do Cerrado e BRS Gigante Amarelo e cinco doses de biofertilizante bovino (B) aplicados mensalmente em volume constante de 5 L planta-1, após diluído em água de irrigação (A) de condutividade elétrica 1,4 dS m-1 nos níveis percentuais de 0% (água de irrigação - 0B + 5A), 10% (1B + 9A), 20% (2B + 8A), 30% (3B + 7A) e 40% (4B + 6A). Semanalmente os frutos foram colhidos, contados e pesados para obtenção do número de frutos por planta, produção por planta, e produtividade. No pico da produção, foram colhidos ao acaso, dois frutos por parcela da área útil, para determinação da massa média do fruto, casca e polpa (sementes + suco), espessura da casca, diâmetro e comprimento dos frutos. Além do rendimento em polpa, teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, vitamina C, valores de pH e da condutividade elétrica da polpa. A aplicação do biofertilizante não comprometeu a capacidade produtiva dos genótipos Guinezinho e Gigante Amarelo. As doses de biofertilizante proporcionaram características de qualidade aos frutos superiores às exigidas pelo mercado. | ABSTRACT This study aimed at evaluating the effects of bovine biofertilizer on passion fruit production and fruit quality. We carried out an experiment in the city of Nova Floresta, Paraíba State, Brazil. It was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and three plants per plot. We adopted a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, which evaluated three passion fruit genotypes and five cattle biofertilizer doses. The assessed genotypes consisted of a local one (Guinezinho - LG) and two hybrids (BRS Gigante Amarelo - GA and BRS Sol do Cerrado - SC). We applied five rates of cattle biofertilizer (B) monthly at a constant volume of 5 L plant-1, after diluting in irrigation water (W) at an electrical conductivity of 1.4 dS m-1. The evaluated rates were 0% (100% irrigation water - 0B + 5W), 10% (1B + 9W), 20% (2B + 8W), 30% (3B + 7W) and 40% (4B + 6W). Every week, we sampled, counted and weighed fruit to gather data on fruit number per plant, pant production, and yield. At peak production, we also sampled two fruit randomly from each plot floor area. These fruits were used for determinations of the average mass in fruit, peel and pulp (seeds + juice), peel thickness, fruit diameter and length, pulp yield, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, pH and pulp electrical conductivity. As a result, we observed that the biofertilizer did not compromise both LG and GA production capacity. Overall, the biofertilizer doses provided quality characteristics superior to those required by the fruit market.

The intensive cultivation of vegetables with frequent chemical fertilization may cause accumulation of nutrients in the soil. This, in turn, may reduce crop yields and damage the environment due to contamination of ground water and rivers. Thus, to increase the effects of P (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha - 1 of P 2 O 5 ) and K (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha - 1 of K 2 O) doses on the growth and productivity of radish cultivars (Sakata 19 and Sakata 25) in a soil with high levels of these nutrients, two experiments were conducted in randomized blocks with the factors cultivars and doses arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial design with three replications. Number of leaves per plant, leaf area, shoot and root dry mass, total and commercial productivity, percentage of cracked roots and P and K contents in the plant and in the soil were evaluated. The Sakata 19 cultivar performed better than the Sakata 25 in both experiments. The fertilization with P or K did not influence the growth and the productivity of both radish cultivars. Therefore, both cultivars of radish evaluated do not need to be fertilized with P and K when planted in a Latosol with high levels of these nutrients.

RESUMO O cultivo intensivo de hortaliças com frequentes fertilizações químicas pode ocasionar acúmulo de nutrientes no solo que, por sua vez, pode reduzir a produtividade das culturas, além de prejudicar o ambiente através de contaminação de lençóis freáticos, mananciais e rios. Assim, com objetivo de avaliar o efeito de doses de P (0, 100, 200, 300 e 400 kg ha-1 de P2O5) e K (0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg ha-1 de K2O) no crescimento e produtividade de cultivares de rabanete (Sakata 19 e Sakata 25), em solo com altos teores desses nutrientes, foram realizados dois experimentos, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com os fatores cultivares e doses arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 5, com três repetições. Foram avaliados o número de folhas por planta, área foliar, massa seca da parte aérea e da raiz, produtividade total e comercial, porcentagem de raízes rachadas e os teores de P e K na planta e no solo. A cultivar ‘Sakata 19’ apresentou melhor desempenho que a ‘Sakata 25’ nos dois experimentos. A fertilização com P ou K não influenciou o crescimento e a produtividade das cultivares de rabanete. Portanto, culturas de rabanete, com ambas cultivares avaliadas, não precisam ser fertilizadas com P e K quando implantadas em Latossolo com altos teores desses nutrientes. | ABSTRACT The intensive cultivation of vegetables with frequent chemical fertilization may cause accumulation of nutrients in the soil. This, in turn, may reduce crop yields and damage the environment due to contamination of ground water and rivers. Thus, to increase the effects of P (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha -1 of P2O5) and K (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1 of K2O) doses on the growth and productivity of radish cultivars (Sakata 19 and Sakata 25) in a soil with high levels of these nutrients, two experiments were conducted in randomized blocks with the factors cultivars and doses arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial design with three replications. Number of leaves per plant, leaf area, shoot and root dry mass, total and commercial productivity, percentage of cracked roots and P and K contents in the plant and in the soil were evaluated. The Sakata 19 cultivar performed better than the Sakata 25 in both experiments. The fertilization with P or K did not influence the growth and the productivity of both radish cultivars. Therefore, both cultivars of radish evaluated do not need to be fertilized with P and K when planted in a Latosol with high levels of these nutrients.

Intensive corn farming quickly depletes soil organic matter in the nutrient-poor soils of the Brazilian semiarid region. Application of vermicompost, an excellent organic fertilizer, could help solve that problem. This study evaluated the effect of applying Eisenia fetida vermicompost in the seeding furrows, at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 Mg.ha-1 application rates, on the green ear yield and grain yield of two corn cultivars. Treatments were replicated five times with split-plots (vermicompost application rates within plots) in a completely randomized block design. The number of mature ears, number of kernels per ear (cultivar BR 106), and 100-kernel weight (cultivar AG 1051) were not affected by vermicompost application rate. However, vermicompost application increased total number and weight of unhusked and husked marketable green ears as well as grain yield. Total number of green ears was higher in cultivar BR 106 than in cultivar AG 1051. Conversely, grain yield and total ear weight and marketable weight of unhusked and husked green ears was higher in cultivar AG 1051, but responses in the latter two traits were dose-dependent.

ABSTRACT Intensive corn farming quickly depletes soil organic matter in the nutrient-poor soils of the Brazilian semiarid region. Application of vermicompost, an excellent organic fertilizer, could help solve that problem. This study evaluated the effect of applying Eisenia fetida vermicompost in the seeding furrows, at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 Mg.ha-1 application rates, on the green ear yield and grain yield of two corn cultivars. Treatments were replicated five times with split-plots (vermicompost application rates within plots) in a completely randomized block design. The number of mature ears, number of kernels per ear (cultivar BR 106), and 100-kernel weight (cultivar AG 1051) were not affected by vermicompost application rate. However, vermicompost application increased total number and weight of unhusked and husked marketable green ears as well as grain yield. Total number of green ears was higher in cultivar BR 106 than in cultivar AG 1051. Conversely, grain yield and total ear weight and marketable weight of unhusked and husked green ears was higher in cultivar AG 1051, but responses in the latter two traits were dose-dependent. | RESUMO A exploração intensiva do milho reduz rapidamente os já considerados baixos teores de matéria orgânica dos solos do semiárido brasileiro. A aplicação de vermicompostos, considerados excelentes adubos orgânicos, poderia contribuir para a solução desse problema. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação, nos sulcos de semeadura, de doses (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 e 10 Mg ha-1) de vermicomposto de Eisenia fetida, obtido a partir de esterco bovino, sobre os rendimentos de espigas verdes e de grãos de cultivares de milho (AG 1051 e BR 106). Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso com cinco repetições e parcelas subdivididas (vermicomposto nas parcelas). A aplicação de doses de vermicomposto não influenciou o número de espigas maduras, número de grãos espiga-1 (na cultivar BR 106) e massa de 100 grãos (na cultivar AG 1051). Mas a aplicação do vermicomposto aumentou os números e as massas de espigas verdes, totais e comercializáveis, empalhadas e despalhadas, e o rendimento de grãos. A cultivar BR 106 foi superior à cultivar AG 1051 quanto ao número total de espigas verdes. O inverso ocorreu nas massas total e de espigas verdes comercializáveis, empalhadas e despalhadas, e no rendimento de grãos. Mas nessas duas últimas características a superioridade da cultivar AG 1051, dependeu da dose do adubo.