ABSTRACT: This work aimed to study the agronomic feasibility of the arugula (A) and lettuce (L) bicropping intercropped with carrot (C) under different amounts of roostertree incorporated into the soil and proportions of population densities among component crops in semiarid conditions of the Rio Grande do Norte state. The experimental design was randomized complete block with four replications, with the treatments arranged in a factorial 4 x 4. The first factor was constituted by the amounts of roostertree incorporated into the soil (10, 25, 40 and 55 t ha-1 on a dry basis) and the second factor by the proportions of population densities of the component crops in polyculture [(50A-50C-50L (%); 40A-50C-40L (%); 30A-50C-30L (%) and 20A-50C-20L (%) of the recommended populations in sole crops - RPSC)]. The leafy vegetable crops were planted in two cultivations during the carrot cycle, and a joint analysis was carried out involving the two cultivations in the 4 x 4 factorial scheme. The characteristics evaluated were green mass yield (arugula), dry mass of shoots and productivity (lettuce), total, commercial and classified productivity of carrot roots. The modified monetary advantage was used to evaluate the agronomic feasibility of intercropping systems. The use of roostertree as green manure proved viable in the polyculture of arugula, carrot, and lettuce. The major agronomic performance of the arugula, carrot and lettuce in the polyculture was registered in the amount of 55 t ha-1 of roostertree incorporated into the soil. The population density proportions of arugula, carrot and lettuce of 50A-50C-50L (%) of the RPSC were those that provided the greatest agronomic feasibility of the polycultures. | RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a viabilidade agronômica do bicultivo de rúcula (R) e alface consorciado (A) com cenoura (C) sob diferentes quantidades de flor-de-seda incorporadas ao solo e de proporções de densidades populacionais entre as culturas componentes no semiárido do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos completos casualizados com quatro repetições, com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 4. O primeiro fator foi constituído pelas quantidades de flor-de-seda incorporadas ao solo (10, 25, 40 e 55 t ha-1 em base seca) e o segundo fator pelas proporções de densidades populacionais das culturas componentes em policultivo [(50R-50C-50A (%); 40R-50C-40A (%); 30R-50C-30A(%) e 20R-50C-20A (%) das populações recomendadas em cultivos solteiro - PRCS)]. As folhosas foram plantadas em dois cultivos no ciclo da cenoura e uma análise conjunta foi realizada envolvendo os dois cultivos da rúcula e da alface e o fatorial 4 x 4. As características avaliadas foram: rendimento de massa verde (rúcula); massa seca da parte aérea e produtividade (alface); produtividade total; comercial; e classificada de raízes de cenoura. A vantagem monetária corrigida foi usada para avaliar a viabilidade agronômica dos sistemas consorciados. O uso da flor-de-seda como adubo verde se mostrou viável no policultivo de rúcula, cenoura e alface. O melhor desempenho agronômico do policultivo de rúcula, cenoura e alface foi registrado na quantidade de 55 t ha-1 de flor-de-seda incorporada ao solo. As proporções de densidades populacionais de rúcula, cenoura e alface de 50-50-50 (%) das PRCS foram as que proporcionaram a maior viabilidade agronômica dos policultivos.

ABSTRACT: The Caatinga is one of the least known biomes in terms of structure and floristic composition, worrying aspect because it undergoes an intense process of human disturbance. With this assumption, we carried out a phytosociological survey of adult vegetation and natural regeneration in areas with different histories of disturbance. For a sampling of the shrub/adult tree and natural regeneration, settled in a systematic, 18 sampling units in each area (Habitat I and Habitat II), with dimensions of 10 x 25 m and 10 x 5 m respectively. Individuals were surveyed adults with CAP ≥ 6.0 cm, and natural regeneration measured the individuals taller than 0.5 m and CNB <6.0 cm. Habitat II in the were sampled 1155 individuals belonging to 6 families and 12 species, and the habitat I was sampled 286 individuals belonging to three families and six species. The diversity index was 1.5 and 0.23 for Nats.individual-1 Habitat II and habitat I respectively. We sampled 636 individuals in natural regeneration, being habitat I in 360 and 276 in the Habitat II. The diversity index of natural regeneration for the Habitat II and habitat I were 1.21 and 0.8 Nats.individual-1. It was concluded that human activities were able to change the vegetation structure and species diversity in both habitats significantly. | RESUMO: A Caatinga é um dos biomas menos conhecidos em termos de estrutura e composição florística, aspecto preocupante, pois sofre um intenso processo de antropização. Partindo desse princípio, foi realizado um levantamento fitossociológico da vegetação adulta e regeneração natural em áreas com diferentes históricos de perturbação. Para amostragem do componente arbustivo/arbóreo adulto e regeneração natural instalou-se, de forma sistemática, 18 unidades amostrais em cada área (Ambiente I e Ambiente II), com dimensões de 10 x 25 m e 10 x 5 m, respectivamente. Foram inventariados os indivíduos adultos com CAP ≥ 6,0 cm, e para regeneração natural mensurados os indivíduos com altura superior a 0,5 m e CNB < 6,0 cm. No ambiente II foram amostrados 1155 indivíduos, pertencentes a 6 famílias e 12 espécies, e no ambiente I amostrados 286 indivíduos, pertencentes a 3 famílias e 6 espécies. O índice de diversidade foi de 1,5 e 0,23 nats.individuo-1 para o ambiente II e ambiente I, respectivamente. Foram amostrados 636 indivíduos na regeneração natural, sendo 360 no ambiente I e 276 no ambiente II. O índice de diversidade da regeneração natural para os ambientes I e II foram de 1,21 e 0,8 nats.ind-1, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que as ações antrópicas foram capazes de mudar de maneira significativa a estrutura da vegetação e diversidade de espécies nos dois ambientes.

RESUMO: Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a variabilidade espacial utilizando o método de krigagem indicativa na elaboração de mapas de probabilidade da ocorrência de atributos químicos do solo e produtividade. Os dados foram coletados em uma área de solo cultivados com soja no sistema de plantio direto com uma malha regular de amostragem de 60 x 60 m, totalizando 124 pontos. Em cada um destes foram coletadas amostras deformadas do solo para a determinação dos atributos químicos (pH, Potássio, Cálcio, Magnésio e Alumínio trocáveis, Fósforo disponível, Zinco, acidez potencial, matéria orgânica do solo, capacidade de troca catiônica e saturação por bases). Para a determinação da produtividade foram coletadas todas as plantas dentro de 1 m² do ponto amostral. Os dados foram categorizados em códigos binários em função dos valores apresentados na recomendação para o uso de corretivos e fertilizantes. Posteriormente, foi utilizada a análise geoestatística. Os atributos potássio, fósforo, magnésio e saturação por bases apresentaram dependência espacial e foram submetidos à krigagem, como a técnica de interpolação. Foram elaborados mapas de probabilidade de ocorrência dos atributos avaliados que apresentaram dependência espacial. Os mapas probabilísticos mostraram que a região central da área avaliada apresentou maior probabilidade de necessidade de correção para os teores dos atributos potássio, fósforo, magnésio e saturação por bases. A partir da análise dos mapas foi possível detectar áreas com deficiência de nutrientes e realizar correções e utilização de técnicas de manejo de forma localizada, minimizando o custo operacional e econômico dessa cultura. | ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the spatial variability using the indicative kriging method in preparing probability maps of the occurrence of soil chemical properties and productivity. Data were collected in a ground area planted with soybeans in a no-till system, with a regular grid sampling of 60 x 60 m, totaling 124 points. At each point were deformed soil samples collected to determine the chemical attributes (pH, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Aluminum exchangeable, available phosphorus, zinc, potential acidity, soil organic matter, cation exchange capacity and base saturation). To determine productivity were collected all the plants within 1 m² of the sample point. Data were categorized into binary codes on the amounts presented in the recommendation for the use of lime and fertilizer. Later it used the geostatistical analysis and attributes potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and base saturation that presented spatial dependence underwent kriging as interpolation technique. Occurrence probability maps were drawn of the evaluated attributes presented spatial dependence. The probabilistic maps showed that the central area evaluated was more likely to need correction to the levels of potassium attributes, phosphorus, magnesium and base saturation. From the analysis of the maps, you can detect nutrient deficient areas and making corrections and use of localized management techniques, minimizing operating costs and economic that culture.

ABSTRACT: Aiming to evaluate the digestive use and performance of growing rabbits fed with diets containing sugarcane bagasse enriched with vinasse, 118 New Zealand white rabbits was used in a digestibility, caecotrophy and performance trials. The experimental design was completely randomized, being applied in the digestibility and caecotrophy three treatments (a reference diet, a diet containing sugarcane bagasse and a diet containing sugarcane bagasse enriched with vinasse) and in performance trial, four treatments (0, 50, 100 and 150 g kg-1 of bagasse enriched with vinasse). The data were subjected to variance analysis and subsequently carried out comparisons between the averages of the treatments. The bagasse enriched or not with vinasse changes consumption, excretion and the digestibility coefficients of dry matter, mineral matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and gross energy. The inclusion of vinasse promotes the improvement of the values of digestible energy and digestible protein of bagasse. There was no change in the dry matter of the cecotrophes, while there wasn't on the crude protein of cecotrophes by the inclusion of the bagasse enriched or not with vinasse. There was a reduction of the nutritional contribution in dry matter, from the inclusion of test feeds. This did not affect nutritional contribution in crude protein. The use of bagasse enriched with vinasse in diets for growing rabbits proved viable, so that the inclusion did not alter the average daily weight gain of animals and therefore, the time required to reach slaughter weight. | RESUMO: Objetivando-se avaliar a utilização digestiva e o desempenho de coelhos em crescimento alimentados com dietas contendo bagaço de cana enriquecido com vinhaça foram utilizados 118 coelhos da raça Nova Zelândia branco para ensaios de digestibilidade, cecotrofia e desempenho. O delineamento foi o inteiramente casualizado, sendo aplicados nos ensaios de digestibilidade e cecotrofia três tratamentos (uma dieta referência, uma dieta contendo bagaço de cana e uma dieta contendo bagaço de cana enriquecido com vinhaça) e no desempenho quatro tratamentos (0, 50, 100 e 150g kg-1 de bagaço de cana enriquecido com vinhaça). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e posteriormente realizadas comparações entre as médias dos tratamentos. O bagaço de cana enriquecido ou não com vinhaça altera o consumo, excreção e os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca, matéria mineral, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e energia bruta. A inclusão de vinhaça promove a melhoria dos valores de energia e proteína digestível do bagaço de cana. Houve alteração na matéria seca dos cecotrofos, enquanto que não houve na proteína bruta dos cecotrofos pela inclusão do bagaço de cana enriquecido ou não com vinhaça. Houve redução da contribuição nutritiva em matéria seca, a partir da inclusão dos alimentos teste. Esta inclusão não afetou contribuição nutritiva em proteína bruta. A utilização do bagaço de cana enriquecido com vinhaça em dietas para coelhos em crescimento se mostrou viável, de modo que a inclusão não alterou o ganho de peso diário dos animais e, portanto, o tempo necessário para atingir o peso de abate.

ABSTRACT The biological control, thinking about the integrated management, has been inserted with other management techniques to disease control, such as soybean anthracnose. The aims of this work were to verify the action of Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates in the induction of soybean resistance mechanisms to anthracnose as a function of seed treatment. The statistical design was entirely randomised, in a 5 x 2 (agent species x sampling times) factorial scheme with five replicates. Soybean seeds were treated with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BV03, B. subtilis BV02, Trichoderma asperellum BV10, Carbendazim + Thiram and distilled water (control). Seven days after seedling emergence, 2 μL of 1 x 10−4 Colletotrichum truncatum spores were inoculated on the cotyledons. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and glyceollin (GLY) activities before and after pathogen inoculation, as well as the diameter of the anthracnose lesion on the cotyledons, were evaluated. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and, when significant, the mean values were compared by Fisher’s test (p < 0.05). The treatments did not influence the first sampling time before inoculation. Trichoderma asperellum BV10 increased POX and PAL activities up to 173%, while B. amyloliquefaciens BV03 increased POX activity. Glyceollin was not influenced by the treatments. The T. asperellum BV10 reduces the diameter of the anthracnose lesion by up to 61%. Thus, T. asperellum BV10 has the potential to control soybean anthracnose, improved the response defense against C. truncatum, when performed on seed treatment.

ABSTRACT The action of photosystem I (PSI) inhibiting herbicides depends on light to cause oxidative stress in plants. However, their translocation is inhibited due to their rapid action in the presence of light. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the herbicide diquat for control of corn plants subjected to different periods of absence of light after application. Two experiments (field and greenhouse) were conducted, applying the herbicide diquat (200 g a.i. ha−1) to maize plants at stage V4. The plants were subjected to different periods of absence of light after diquat application: 0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 and 6 hours. A treatment without herbicide application was used as a control. The control (%) and biomass of corn plants were evaluated in both experiments, and photosynthetic activity and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation in leaves were evaluated in the greenhouse experiment. The results showed that diquat needs at least 5 hours of absence of light after application to fully control corn plants. The plants recovered when using shorter periods (4 hours or less) of darkness, and injuries were restricted to points where the herbicide had contact with the plant. The ability of plants to recover was related to the higher photosynthetic activity and oxidative stress induction due to early light exposure. Thus, the lower production of H2O2 in plants kept in the dark for longer periods after herbicide application allows the translocation of the herbicide to meristems, which prevents regrowth of corn plants.

ABSTRACT The possibility of early soybean fertilization carried out on the predecessor crop has several benefits, mainly operational ones, making the production system more conservationist and balanced. An experiment was carried out at the Anhumas Experimental Station, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (USP/ESALQ), located in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, during 2001/2002, 2002/2003, and 2003/2004 agricultural years on a typic Hapludox aiming to evaluate the effects of the early fertilization on soybean yield. The fertilization consisted of applying 90 kg ha−1 of P2O5, 50 kg ha−1 of K2O, and micronutrients (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Zn). The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications and 12 treatments consisting of different levels of early soybean fertilization carried out on the finger millet crop: T1, no fertilization; T2, conventional soybean fertilization; T3, early 50% K fertilization; T4, early 100% K fertilization; T5, early 50% P fertilization; T6, early 50% P and K fertilization; T7, early 50% P and 100% K fertilization; T8, early 100% P fertilization; T9, early 100% P and 50% K fertilization; T10, early 100% P and K fertilization; T11, early 100% P and K fertilization + micronutrients; and T12, early leaf fertilization with micronutrients. The results showed that the early soybean sowing fertilization with phosphorus and potassium carried out during finger millet sowing does not interfere with the thousand-seed weight and soybean yield.

ABSTRACT Specific cultivars for production of green corn, more productive and adapted to the conditions of each region, combined with adequate population density, can increase the yield of the crop. This work aimed to identify, under different plant densities, the cultivars with agronomic characteristics for the production of green corn. The experiment was conducted from March to June 2018, in the experimental area of the Technical College of Teresina, at the Federal University of Piauí. The treatments were distributed in a randomized block design, in a factorial scheme, with three plant densities (40,000, 50,000 and 60,000 plants ha−1) and two corn cultivars (AG 1051 and BRS 3046). The variables evaluated were the diameter and length of the commercial green ear, the yield, the percentage of commercial green ear and the length of the period between the emergence (VE) and the flowering stage (VT) of the cultivars in relation to the accumulated number of degree-days (ADD). In terms of cycle (period between VE and VT), the hybrid AG 1051 was later, with 47 days after emergence (DAE) and 823.23 ADD, than the BRS 3046 (44 DAE and 773.32 ADD); however, there was an acceleration of the period of vegetative development in the hybrids, which ranged from 43 (773.32 ADD) to 47 (828.23 ADD) days, respectively, so that there was male flowering. With the increase in densities, there was decrease in the values of production. The highest yield of commercial ears (15.45 Mg ha-1) was obtained at a density of 50,000 plants ha−1.

ABSTRACT The invasive pink hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a pest that threatens the production of fruits, vegetable, and ornamental plants in Brazil. It is a phytophagous insect with a wide range of hosts; thus, there is an increasing demand for sustainable environmental-friendly control methods, such as biological control. This study aimed to investigate biological parameters of Ceraeochrysa everes (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) fed on 2nd instar nymphs of M. hirsutus and eggs of Ephestia (Anagasta) kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The duration of the immature stages of C. everes was longer when the predator was fed on 2nd instar nymphs of M. hirsutus, compared to the control (E. kuehniella). The survival rate of immature C. everes was 82.5% and 100% when fed on 2nd instar nymphs of M. hirsutus and eggs of E. kuehniella, respectively. The type of food resource offered at the larval stage affected the pre-oviposition, oviposition, and post-oviposition periods and the longevity of C. everes females. Adult females C. everes from immature individuals fed an exclusive diet of E. kuehniella eggs had longer oviposition, fecundity (daily and total), fertility, and post-oviposition periods and longevity. Ceraeochrysa everes has the capacity for predation, development, and reproduction while having 2nd instar nymphs of M. hirsutus as food resource. Therefore, C. everes has a promising potential for controlling M. hirsutus.

ABSTRACT Erythrina velutina Willd. (Fabaceae) is drought tolerant and has the potential for reforestation in the semi-arid region. The response of its seeds to the environmental conditions of each production area influences their size, weight, physiological potential, and health. Thus, this study aimed to assess how the environmental conditions of the different regions of Paraíba influence the biometric characteristics of E. velutina seeds. Seeds from 19 mother plants collected in Juru, Sumé, Araçagi, Guarabira, São João do Cariri, Esperança, Queimadas, Cuité, Boa Vista, and Areia, in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, were used in this study. Water content, thousand-seed weight, and biometric characteristics (length, width, and thickness) were determined in the seeds from each location. The water content ranged from 3.11 to 6.84%, while the thousand-seed weight was higher in mother plants grown in Sumé and Cuité. Seed length ranged from 9.00 to 16.84 mm, being higher in mother plants grown in Juru. Seed thickness and width ranged from 5 to 12.99 mm and were larger in mother plants from Cuité. Temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind, and precipitation caused variations in the length, width, and thickness of E. velutina seeds, with higher means observed in mother plants grown in Cuité.