The objective of this work was to assess the agronomic performance and plant morphological traits of eight lima-bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) accessions in the edafoclimatic conditions of Mossoró, RN, Brazil. A randomized complete blocks design with eight treatments and four replications was used. The treatments consisted of the BSF 01, BSF 02, BSF 04, BSF 07, BSF 08, BSF 08A, BSF 12 and BSF 15 lima-bean accessions. The following traits were evaluated: growth habit, mean time of blooming, pod length and width, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, weight of 100 seeds and seed yield. It was observed that all lima-bean accessions were of indeterminate growth habit, except for BSF 07B and BSF 12 that show determinate growth habit. BSF 12 and BSF 15 accessions were, respectively, the earliest and the largest seed size. They was not distinction between the lima-bean accessions for pod length, but significant differences were observed on pod width, with BSF 12 and BSF 02 accessions showing the highest and the less width. The accession BSF 01 can be the best alternative for Mossoró country growers because this material had higher number of pods per plant and higher seed yield. The accessions BSF 04, BSF 07B and BSF08 are potentially useful for lima-bean because these materials had higher number of pods per plant, higher seed yield and characteristics of pods satisfactory.

Due the expansion of atemoya cultivation and its increasing consumption in the principal Brazilian markets, it is necessary to investigate the postharvest physiology of fruit as well as the use of technologies to increase their shelf life. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the quality attributes of atemoya 'Gefner' harvested in two maturation stages. The fruit, from commercial plantation located in Neopólis, SE, Brazil, were evaluated at harvest and after three days, staying at 25 ° C throughout the experiment. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 4 (maturity stage x time), with five replicates. The characteristics evaluated were: color, firmness, weight loss, color, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TTA), pH and vitamin C. The color, the mass loss and the SS and ATT increased during storage, with decrease in pH and a dramatic reduction in the level of vitamin C. The storage time directly influenced all traits. Among the stages of maturation, only firmness differed significantly and may be used as an indicator of ripeness.

We studied the spatial distribution of a galling insect species that induces galls on the leaf veins of Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae) trees. Galls/leaflet predominantly occurred at the northern (1.06) tree slope, with decreasing number at the western (0.92), eastern (0.65), and southern (0.60) slopes. Higher number of galls/leaflet were found in the interior of the tree crown, i.e., on the proximal region (1.99) of the stems compared to the terminal portion (1.26). On the other hand, the average number of vein galls/leaflet did not differ statistically among the three leaflets of C. brasiliense (right = 0.79, central = 0.78, left = 0.84). Galls/leaflet were most abundant on the distal (0.46) and median (0.52) regions compared to the proximal (0.24) longitudinal region of the leaflet. This gall/leaflet insect was most frequent on the central (1.01) portion than in the leaf margin (0.05) or near mid vein (0.14) on transversal regions of a leaflet. Keywords: Savanna. Insect distribution. Leaf galls. Brazil.We studied the spatial distribution of a galling insect species that induces galls on the leaf veins of Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae) trees. Galls/leaflet predominantly occurred at the northern (1.06) tree slope, with decreasing number at the western (0.92), eastern (0.65), and southern (0.60) slopes. Higher number of galls/leaflet were found in the interior of the tree crown, i.e., on the proximal region (1.99) of the stems compared to the terminal portion (1.26). On the other hand, the average number of vein galls/leaflet did not differ statistically among the three leaflets of C. brasiliense (right = 0.79, central = 0.78, left = 0.84). Galls/leaflet were most abundant on the distal (0.46) and median (0.52) regions compared to the proximal (0.24) longitudinal region of the leaflet. This gall/leaflet insect was most frequent on the central (1.01) portion than in the leaf margin (0.05) or near mid vein (0.14) on transversal regions of a leaflet. Keywords: Savanna. Insect distribution. Leaf galls. Brazil.We studied the spatial distribution of a galling insect species that induces galls on the leaf veins of Caryocar brasiliense Camb. (Caryocaraceae) trees. Galls/leaflet predominantly occurred at the northern (1.06) tree slope, with decreasing number at the western (0.92), eastern (0.65), and southern (0.60) slopes. Higher number of galls/leaflet were found in the interior of the tree crown, i.e., on the proximal region (1.99) of the stems compared to the terminal portion (1.26). On the other hand, the average number of vein galls/leaflet did not differ statistically among the three leaflets of C. brasiliense (right = 0.79, central = 0.78, left = 0.84). Galls/leaflet were most abundant on the distal (0.46) and median (0.52) regions compared to the proximal (0.24) longitudinal region of the leaflet. This gall/leaflet insect was most frequent on the central (1.01) portion than in the leaf margin (0.05) or near mid vein (0.14) on transversal regions of a leaflet.

To evaluate the nutrient content of leaves of gerbera fertigated with treated domestic effluents with and without mineral supplementation, a study was carried out in a greenhouse located at the Embrapa Meio-Norte in Teresina, Brazil from July to October 2007. The treatments studied were: T1 - 100% water and nutritional needs furnished with fertigation (N e K2 O); T2 - 25% volume of water through fertigation and 75% treated wastewater effluents (TWE); T3 - 50% volume of water through fertigation and 50% TWE; T4 - 75% volume of water with fertigation and 25% TWE; and T5 - volume of water 100% supplied through TWE. The leaf growth and plant development were favored by the application of 50% fertigation and 50% TWE (T3). At the end of experiment two adult leaves were collected in each treatment and content of nutrients was determined. Soil samples were also collected for analysis to verify alterations in physical and chemical properties. The soil irrigated with 100% wastewater effluent showed high concentrations of P, organic matter and low concentration of Na and K, but these changes did not cause any alteration in nutritional status of leaves and quality of gerberas flowers.

This work aimed to evaluate the influence of daily supplementation with 10 g of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) associated with Sabiá shrub hay (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) on the intake and digestibility of in goats and sheep. Twenty animals, ten sheep and ten goats were allocated in a randomized block design, with two treatments and two species: PEG group (supplemented with 10 g of PEG) and control group (without supplementation). Significant differences were not observed between treatments and species regarding the intake and digestibility of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber. Nevertheless, PEG supplementation enhanced the crude protein digestibility of Sabiá shrub hay from 33.96% to 38.74% in sheep and from 43.29% to 54.41% in goats, showing that the supplementation with PEG could become a good feeding strategy against the antinutritional effects of tannin of the forage plants.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth, development and macronutrients concentrations in physic nut fertilized with sewage sludge and calcium and magnesium silicate. The treatments, in a factorial scheme 5 x 2, distributed in design in randomized block with three replications, corresponded to five doses of dehydrated sewage sludge (0; 4.8; 9.6; 14.4 and 19.2 t ha-1, dry basis) and two doses of calcium and magnesium silicate (0 and 1 t ha-1). Were collected soil samples at 0-20 and 20-40 cm deep, and of the older leaf not senescent and of the youngest leaf fully expanded for analysis of macronutrients. Were determined in the 18º month of planting the stem diameter (DC), the crown diameter (DCO) and the stem height (ALT). The application of silicate of calcium and magnesium in soil increased the pH, the concentrations of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium available in the soil and magnesium concentration in the plant, however, did not influenced the growth and development of physic nut. Sewage sludge, on the other hand, promoted increased of the concentrations of organic matter and phosphorus in the soil, and of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in the plant. There were no relevant interactions between the sewage sludge and silicate, and nor the affect of this last about the growth and development of the plant, recommending only the application of sewage sludge in the cultivation of physic nut.

Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia Lindl.) is a shrub originating from Australia, which represents one of the forage resources suitable for rainfed land in arid and semiarid regions of Brazil, they have tolerance to dry and saline. In this context, it was aimed to verifying the effect of partial replacement of the conventional diet of saltbush hay on performance and carcass quality of chickens. The treatments consisted of substituting 0, 5, 10 and 15% of the basal saltbush hay. There was a significant effect (P <0.01) of the replacement of the hay on intake of crude protein, crude fiber and gross energy, average daily gain, feed conversion, body weight, absolute weight of carcass, thigh, chest and abdominal fat, and relative weight of thigh, abdominal fat and liver, indicating that the replacement of hay up to 10% of the conventional diet for broiler chickens does not compromise on performance and carcass characteristics of chickens.

This paper aimed to evaluated the effect of the use of potassium nitrate on the reduction of stress on the melon plants exposed to excess salt in the irrigation water. The experiment was carried out at the Centro de Ciências e Tecnologia Agroalimentar (CCTA/UFCG) Pombal-PB, from 19/09/2009 to 20/10/2009, using the hybrid melon 'Hales Best Jumbo'. The treatments consisted of two levels of of salinity of the irrigation water (0.3 and 5.0 dS m-1) and rates of N in the form of potassium nitrate (5.5; 6.25; 7.0 and 8.5g per plant). The experimental design was randomized blocks, on the factorial scheme 2x4, with four replications. The highest rates of photosynthesis, stomatic conductivity, transpiration, leaf area, total dry mass and the fruit yield per plant were observed on melon plants irrigated with low salinity water (0.3 dS m-1) compared to the ones with the high saline water (5.0 dS m-1), and on rates of N between 6.10 and 7.8g of N per plant for both levels of salinity. The supply of N in the form of potassium nitrate was effective on reducing the melon plant the stressing effect caused by the salinity of the irrigation water up to the rate of 6.85g of N per plant. On absolute terms we can affirm that the best performance of the melon plant was achieved with the rate of 7.0g of N per plan when irrigated with normal water and 6.25 of N per plant when irrigated with saline water.

The irregular offer of cupuaçu pulp in the harvest time, the high endable of the fruits and the form of conservation by freezing, are factors that cause difficulties in the offer of this product in the market of Rio Branco/AC. The purpose of this work was to dehydrate the cupuaçu pulp and evaluate the shelf life in a period of 90 days. The experiment was conducted in the Unity of Technology and Foods (UTAL) of Federal University of Acre (UFAC). Cupuaçu fruits came broked, despolped and sanitized. Portions of 300 g of pulp were submitted in the process of dehydration in oven with air circulation by a temperature of 60 °C for 46, 52 e 58 hours. After the dehydration, the samples were submitted to the following analysis titratable acidity, pH, totals solids soluble (oBrix), moisture determination, ascorbic acid and water activity (aw). The microbiologycal analysis involved of Salmonella, thermotholerant coliforms at 45 °C, mesophilic bacteria and yeasts and moulds, all for triplicats. The results showed significant effect of interaction between dehydration time and storage to variables ºBrix and ascorbic acid. The water activity and the pH kept stable during all the period of storage, while the level of ascorbic acid reduces by the dehydration time and storage. The dehydration of in natura cupuaçu pulp in conventional oven is a practicable method of conservation and storage for 90 days.

The red rice in Brazil is cultivated mainly in the Northwester region and practically unknown for major of the Brazilian population. This culture have a great importance for small farmers, but needs more studies. The objective of this research was evaluate agronomics traits, the seed physiological quality and the crude protein content of selected cultivars of red rice, Vermelho Pequeno and Vermelho Virgínia, from cultivation and selection in the UFRRJ, contrasting with the commercial cultivars, Caiapó and BRS Primavera, of white rice. The experiment was installed in November of 2004, in Seropédica, RJ, in the experimental design of randomized blocks with four repetitions. It was evaluated: plant height; harvest index; number of viable tillers/ m²; number of spikiest/panicle; percentage of fertile spikelets/panicle; weight of a thousand spikelets; seed water content; weight of 1000 spikelets; productivity; germination; first counting of the germination test and crude protein content. The Vermelho Pequeno cultivar presented higher productivity of grain, higher tillering capacity, higher spikelets production, medium size, index of harvest, crude protein content and quality seed to similar to that of commercial cultivars.