ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to assess the effects of the release and establishment of the exotic parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and its interspecific competitive relationship with native fruit fly parasitoids in organic and conventional orchards in Maceio, State of Alagoas, Brazil. The exotic parasitoids were reared in the Radio-Entomology Laboratory of the Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, and released (112,350 individuals between five and eight days old) in orchards from June 8 to July12, 2013.Fruit samples were collected randomly every week during one year to assess the D. longicaudata recaptured from plants and fallen fruits on the ground, which were taken to the Entomology Laboratory of the CECA-UFAL, classified and individually placed in plastic containers, containing a layer of 1 cm of sand for pupation of the host larvae. The pupae, obtained after 10 days, were placed in Petri dishes with a layer of sand until the emergence of adults, which were then kept in plastic microtubes, containing ethanol 70%. The release of exotic parasitoids did not displace native species. The same species were found before and after the release in both cultures: Doryctobracon areolatus, Asobara anastrephae, Utetes anastrephae and Opius bellus (Braconidae), Aganaspis pelleranoi (Figitidae) and individuals of the Pteromalidae family. One year after the last release, 44 individuals of the exotic parasitoid were found, showing its establishment in the studied areas. | RESUMO O presente trabalho objetivou conhecer os efeitos da liberação, do estabelecimento e das relações de competitividade interespecífica entre o parasitoide exótico Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) e as espécies de parasitoides nativos de moscas-das-frutas em pomar orgânico e convencional no município de Maceió, Alagoas. A criação do parasitoide exótico foi realizada no Laboratório de Radioentomologia do Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura da Universidade de São Paulo (CENA/USP), em Piracicaba-SP. Foram liberados 112.350 indivíduos entre cinco e oito dias de idade, no período de 08 de junho a 12 de julho de 2013. Foram realizadas coletas de frutos semanalmente durante um ano, de forma aleatória, para avaliar a recaptura de D. longicaudata em plantas e em frutos caídos no solo, sendo estes encaminhados para o Laboratório de Entomologia do CECA-UFAL, onde os mesmos passaram por triagem e individualização em recipientes plásticos contendo uma camada de 1 cm de areia para pupação das larvas do hospedeiro. Após dez dias, os pupários obtidos foram acondicionados em placas de Petri com uma camada de areia até a emergência dos adultos, sendo estes conservados em microtubos plásticos contendo álcool 70%. A liberação do parasitoide exótico não deslocou as espécies nativas, sendo obtidas as mesmas espécies antes e após a liberação em ambos os cultivos: os braconídeos Doryctobracon areolatus; Asobara anastrephae; Utetes anastrephae e Opius bellus; o figitídeo Aganaspis pelleranoi e exemplares da família Pteromalidae. Um ano após a última liberação, 44 exemplares do parasitoide exótico foram obtidos, mostrando estabelecimento nas áreas estudadas.

ABSTRACT Weed control is essential to reduce or eliminate the interference of weeds on crops. Chemical control with the application of herbicides consists of the most used method, with this aim in grain producing areas. Information about the selectivity of herbicides to C. spectabilis (showy crotalaria) are scarce, which are critical for the management of this species as a crop. One field experiment was performed to evaluate the selectivity of herbicides applied in post-emergence of showy crotalaria. The herbicides bentazon (720 and 576 g ha-1), imazethapyr (106 and 79.5 g ha-1), pyrithiobac-sodium (84 g ha-1), flumiclorac (60 g ha-1), flumiclorac in sequential application (30 / 30 g ha-1), imazethapyr + bentazon (106 + 480 g ha-1), and clethodim + quizalofop (96 + 100 g ha-1) were applied in plants with four true leaves, also using a control without herbicide application. Pyrithiobac-sodium and flumiclorac isolated and the tankmix of imazethapyr + bentazon provided greater injuries to showy crotalaria, also affecting the final plant height. Pyrithiobac-sodium (84 g ha-1) was not selective to showy crotalaria. The herbicides imazethapyr (79.5 g ha-1), flumiclorac (sequential application), and bentazon (576 g ha-1), despite the association between clethodim + quizalofop, can be used for weed management in showy crotalaria crop. | RESUMO O manejo de plantas daninhas é prática fundamental para reduzir ou eliminar a interferência da comunidade infestante sobre a espécie cultivada. O método de controle químico, por meio da aplicação de herbicidas, consiste no mais utilizado com esta finalidade em áreas de produção de larga escala. Informações de seletividade de herbicidas para C. spectabilis (crotalária) são escassas, sendo estas de suma importância para o manejo desta espécie como cultura. Um experimento de campo foi realizado para avaliar a seletividade de herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência na crotalária. Os herbicidas bentazon (720 e 576 g ha-1), imazethapyr (106 e 79,5 g ha-1), pyrithiobac-sodium (84 g ha-1), flumiclorac (60 g ha-1), flumiclorac em aplicação sequencial (30 / 30 g ha-1), imazethapyr + bentazon (106 + 480 g ha-1), clethodim + quizalofop (96 + 100 g ha-1) foram aplicados sob plantas com quatro folhas verdadeiras, constando também entre os tratamentos testemunha sem aplicação de herbicidas. Pyrithiobac-sodium e flumiclorac isolados e a mistura entre imazethapyr + bentazon proporcionaram maiores injúrias a crotalária, afetando também a altura final das plantas. O pyrithiobac -sodium (84 g ha-1) não foi seletivo para a crotalária. Os herbicidas imazethapyr (79,5 g ha-1), flumiclorac (em aplicação sequencial), bentazon (576 g ha-1), além da associação entre clethodim + quizalofop podem ser utilizados para o manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura da crotalária.

RESUMO O presente estudo objetivou investigar a influência da ação antrópica na precipitação efetiva (Pe) e nas perdas de solo em microbacias submetidas a diferentes usos do solo em região de floresta tropical seca. A área experimental está localizada na parte central do estado do Ceará, Brasil. Os usos do solo investigados foram: Caatinga em Pousio (CP), Caatinga Raleada (CR) e manejo de Desmatamento da Caatinga seguido de Queima e cultivo de Pastagem (DQP). O monitoramento foi realizado na estação chuvosa (janeiro a maio) de 2010, com uma ocorrência de 57 eventos naturais de chuva, totalizando 941 mm precipitados. Na quantificação da Pe e produção de sedimentos foi feito um somatório para todos os eventos ocorridos no período de estudo e nas perdas de solo consideraram-se os sedimentos em suspensão e em arraste. Em condições de pousio, a Pe e a produção de sedimentos foram de 15,13 mm e 167,81 kg ha-1 respectivamente. Os menores valores de Pe (11,28 mm) ocorreram na microbacia cujo uso da terra era o CR, cujas perdas de solo totalizaram 42,04 kg ha-1. No uso da terra DQP foi registrada a maior Pe anual com 112,88 mm ano-1 de lâmina escoada acumulada, bem como as maiores perdas de solo anual (3.114,97 kg ha-1). A maior inferência da cobertura vegetal nos dois processos investigados ocorreu para os primeiros eventos, quando o estrato herbáceo ainda não estava desenvolvido. | ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of anthropic activities on the effective precipitation (eP) and soil loss in watersheds under different land uses in a tropical dry forest region. The experimental area was located in the central part of the State of Ceará, Brazil. The land uses evaluated were: fallow Caatinga (FC), thinned Caatinga (TC) and deforested Caatinga followed by a burning procedure and pasture cultivation (DBP). The areas were monitored in the rainy season (January to May, 2010), when 57 natural rainfalls occurred, totaling 941 mm of precipitation. The eP and sediment productions were quantified by the sum of all occurrences during the study period, and the soil loss was represented by suspended and dragged sediments. The eP was 15.13 mm and sediment produced was 167.81 kg ha-1 in FC conditions. The eP values was smaller (11.28 mm) in the watershed with TC, which had soil loss sum of 42.04 kg ha-1. The largest annual eP was found in the DBP area, with 112.88 mm yr-1 of accumulated water depth, which also showed the greater annual soil loss (3114.97 kg ha-1). The greatest interference of plant cover in the two variables evaluated occurred in the first precipitation events, when the plants were not yet fully developed.

RESUMO A palma tem grande importância para a pecuária da região semiárida do Brasil. Essa planta vem apresentando elevada produtividade de forragem, influenciada por vários fatores de manejo. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de doses de adubação orgânica (20, 40 e 80 t/ha de esterco bovino/ha/dois anos) e densidades de plantio (20, 40, 80 e 160 mil plantas/ha) sobre a produtividade da palma forrageira Clone IPA-20 (Opuntia ficus indica Mill). O experimento foi conduzido na Estação Experimental de Caruaru, pertencente ao Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco - IPA. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com arranjo de parcelas subdivididas. Verificou-se maior produtividade de parte aérea com o aumento da densidade populacional e aplicação de 80 t de esterco/ha/dois anos, com valores de 61; 90; 117 e 139 t MS/ha/dois anos, nas densidades de 20, 40, 80 e 160.000 plantas/ha. A produtividade do cladódio-planta e peso seco da raiz foram influenciados pela densidade de plantio, apresentando respostas exponenciais, tendendo a apresentar maior peso do cladódio planta e raízes por área com a elevação da densidade de plantio. A eficiência da adubação orgânica diminuiu com a elevação das doses de esterco. Recomenda-se para plantios com 160.000 plantas/ha aplicação de, no mínimo, 40 t de esterco bovino/ha/dois anos para incremento na produtividade da palma. | ABSTRACT Cactus is crucial for the livestock of semi-arid regions in Brazil. This plant has shown the high productivity of forage, which is influenced by several management factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization doses (20, 40 and 80 t/ ha of bovine manure/ha/two years) and planting densities (20, 40, 80 and 160 thousand plants/ha) on the productivity of cactus pear Clone IPA-20 (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill). At the Experimental Station of Caruaru at the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco, IPA has conducted the experiment. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with split plot arrangements. Higher shoot productivity was observed with increased population density and the application of manure at 80 t ha-1 two years-1 with values of 61, 90, 117 and 139 t DM ha-1 two years-1 at densities of 20, 40, 80 and 160,000 plants ha-1. The planting density influenced the productivity of cladode-plant and root dry weight, showing exponential responses, with higher cladode-plant and roots weight by area observed with increased plant density. The efficiency of organic fertilization decreased with the increase in manure doses. For increase cactus productivity, 40 t of bovine manure ha-1 two years-1 for plantations with 160,000 plants/ha is recommended.

RESUMO Dois experimentos foram conduzidos em Petrolina PE, com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento produtivo de cultivares de minitomate, nas condições do Submédio do Vale do São Francisco. O primeiro, entre agosto e dezembro de 2012 (segundo semestre), e o segundo, entre março e julho de 2013 (primeiro semestre). Para as duas épocas, foram avaliados seis cultivares de minitomate: E5663; Kada; F1170; Tanzimech; E1275 e Abirú. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições dispostas em parcelas subdivididas, testando-se nas parcelas as duas épocas de cultivo e nas subparcelas, os genótipos. Avaliou-se produtividade total e comercial de frutos, teor de sólidos solúveis, número de frutos por planta, massa fresca de frutos por planta e massa fresca de fruto. A produtividade total, independentemente do genótipo, no cultivo de primeiro semestre foi superior. No cultivo de segundo semestre, a cultivar E5663 apresentou produtividade de 40,3 Mg ha-1. No primeiro semestre, com esse mesmo genótipo, obteve-se produtividade de 104,0 Mg ha-1. A produtividade comercial, o teor de sólidos solúveis e a produção por planta seguiram a mesma tendência. Quanto ao número de frutos por planta, foi verificada uma variação de 390,8 a 941,4 e 80,5 a 315,4 frutos por planta, para o primeiro semestre e segundo semestre, respectivamente. O genótipo E5663, por ter apresentado as melhores respostas produtivas e teor de sólidos solúveis, pode ser indicado para as condições de Petrolina-PE, ressaltando-se que este pode ser adotado nos dois períodos de cultivo do ano. | ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco (PE), Brazil, in order to evaluate the performance of mini tomato cultivars under the conditions of the Sub-Mid São Francisco Valley. One on crops of the second half of the year (SH) from August to December 2012, and other on crops of the first half of the year (FH) from March to July 2013. Six mini tomato cultivars were evaluated in both seasons: E5663, Kada, F1170, Tanzimech, E1275 and Abirú. A randomized block experimental design was used, with four replications, arranged in split plot, with the growing seasons in the plots and cultivars in the subplots. The total and commercial fruit yield, soluble solid contents, fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, and fruit fresh weight were evaluated. The total yield was higher in the FH, regardless of the cultivar used. The cultivar E5663 presented yield of 40.3 Mg ha-1 in the SH and 104.0 Mg ha-1 in the FH. Commercial yield, soluble solid content and yield per plant followed the same trend. The number of fruits per plant ranged from 390.8 to 941.4 (FH) and from 80.5 to 315.4 (SH). The cultivar E5663 presented the best yield and soluble solid content responses, thus, it may be recommended for the conditions of Petrolina PE, and can be adopted for planting in both seasons evaluated.

The Rules for Seed Analysis and the Instructions for Seed Analysis of Forest Species have no recommendations for conducting the S. tenuifolia germination test. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate different temperatures and substrates to perform the germination test of S. tenuifolia seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 4 × 3 design and consisted of four substrates (paper roll; on paper; on sand and on vermiculite) and three temperatures (25, 30 and 35 °C), with four replicates of 25 seeds. The percentage of normal seedlings, the germination speed index, the shoot length, root length and dry mass of seedlings were evaluated. The Tukey test was used at 5% probability. There was a significant interaction between the temperatures and substrates tested for all variables, indicating that there is at least one ideal combination of the two factors that can increase the germination of seeds. The germination and vigor of S. tenuifolia seeds are influenced by the temperature and by the substrate used in the germination test. The combination of the paper roll substrates with a temperature of 25 and 30 °C was suitable for the germination of S. tenuifolia seeds.

The savanna woodlands of Piauí state has great economic importance since it is an area for agricultural expansion, being the fourth most important of Brazil and the first from Brazilian Northeastern. The area accounts for 5.9% of the Brazilian savanna woodlands and 36.9% of the Northeastern savanna, covering 46% of the Piauí state area, in a total of 11.5 million hectares . The goal of this research was to study pedoenvironments of Serra do Quilombo region, which is in Piauí state savanna, as well as identifying existing soil classes, according to the Brazilian System of Soil Classification - SiBCS. Soil identification consisted in characterizing soil profiles along a transect, assessing in - field conditions and collecting soil samples, in areas of native vegetation. The samples were gathered from three distinct points, being two at the edges and one at the center of the plateau. Soil analyses were carried out with samples collected from each horizon through trench digging up to a 2 - m depth. Morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical characterizations were performed for each soil profile , along with an evaluation of the effect of pedogenic factors on their formation and development. All soils under study were formed with source materials of the same geological formation; however, each rock has a distinct contribution to the process, involving sandstones and shales. The characteristics observed in the soil from Serra do Quilombo have no difference from the pattern found in the Brazilian plateaus, and soil profiles were classified as dystrophic clayey Yellow Latosols (Oxisols), according to the SiBCS .

The objective of this work was to evaluate the gas exchange, leaf temperature, yield and water use efficiency in 'Tommy Atkins' mango under irrigation deficit strategies. The experimental design was randomized block, with seven treatments with regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) under micro - spray and five treatments with partial root - zone drying (PRD) under drip irrigation. The treatments on RDI consisted of application of 100, 75 and 50% of ETc at the stages S1 (beginning of flowering to fruit set) S2 (fruit development) and S3 (fruit physiological maturation). The treatments on PRD consisted of application of 100, 80, 60 and 40% of ETc, in the same three stages, alternating the irrigation side every 15 days. The regulated deficit irrigation causes less negative interference in gas exchange than the partial root - zone drying, and the climate factors affect the gas exchange and leaf temperature of 'Tommy Atkins' mango more than the regulated deficit irrigation. The partial root - zone drying irrigation with 60 and 40% of ETc causes a decrease in the 'Tommy Atkins' mango yield. The regulated deficit irrigation up to 50% of ETc, applied at the fruit maturation stage, maintain the yield and water use efficiency.

The Cerrado occupies 25% of the Brazilian territory and is the second largest biome in South America, second only to the Amazon Rainforest. Hence, studies on the native species of the Cerrado are important for implementing conservation strategies. In this context, knowledge of the requirements and conditions for germination of seeds of these native species is essential. The Cerrado watermelon ( Melothria campestris (Naudin) H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner) is a plant that is not cultivated, but has been used in revegetation projects in the countryside of the Cerrado because its fruits are fed upon by fauna in times of food shortage. The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate methodology for the germination of the Cerrado watermelon, by identifying the best - suited substrate, the optimal temperature, and the corresponding time taken for germination . The treatments consisted of four substrates: in a paper roll, on paper, in sand, and on sand; and four temperatures: 20, 25, and 30 °C (maintained constant), and a fourth temperature treatment that alternated 20 - 30 °C. The effect of the substrates and temperatures on seed performance was evaluated using the germination test, speed index, and average time for germination. The experimental design was fully randomized, with treatments distributed in a 4 × 4 (substrates × temperatures) factorial scheme, with four replications. Our results show that the temperature of 20 °C had a negative influence on germination in all substrates. Further, we found that the germination of the Cerrado watermelon seeds was best in a paper roll or on sand substrate, maintained at a constant temperature of 30 °C, or when temperature was alternated 20 - 30 °C, and the time required for germination stabilization was 30 days.

This study evaluated the growth and agro - industrial productivity of sugarcane varieties subjected to different irrigation levels in the county of Penápolis - São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with a factorial arrangement of 2 × 7 (two cultivars of sugarcane: RB965902 and RB855453, at seven irrigation levels: L0 = 0%, L1 = 25%, L2 = 50%, L3 = 75%, L4 = 100%, L5 = 125%, and L6 = 150% of crop evapotranspiration - ETc) with four replicates. The irrigation system was a subsurface drip at a flow rate of 1.4 L h - 1 . The variables evaluated were tillering, culm length, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter, and industrial productivity. The maximum number of plants per linear meter was 30 for variety RB965902 at 100% ETc, and 29 for variety RB855453 at 125% of ETc. Maximum tillering occurred at 120 and 150 days after planting (DAP) for RB965902 and RB855453, respectively. The maximum LAI of BR965902 was 9.57 at 210 DAP and 9.81 at 201 DAP for the RB855453 variety. The RB855453 variety produced an average of 178.93 t ha - 1 with irrigation and 164.81 t ha - 1 without, while the variety RB965902 produced 164.08 t ha - 1 and 154.61 t ha - 1 with and without irrigation, respectively. At harvest, the total recoverable sugars (TRS) were 129.62 kg t - 1 for RB965902 and 131.63 kg t - 1 for RB855443. The RB855453 variety produced on average 14.19 t ha - 1 more than the RB965902 variety.