The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different doses of bovine biofertilizer on yield and post harvest of the strawberry crop in different growing environments. The experiment was carried out in two cycles of production, in Fortaleza, Ceará. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, arranged in subdivided plots, where the plots were of three cultivated environments (A1 = protected environment with screens, cold-water spraying, and white floor; A2 = environment with full sun, cold-water spraying, and white floor; A3 = environment with full sun, no cold-water spraying, and grey floor). The subplots consisted of five doses of biofertilizer (D1 = 0,0, D2 = 500, D3 = 750, D4 = 1000 and D5 = 1250 mL plant-1 week -1), with five replications. In the two-year period, the dose was higher in the protected environment of the weed type, with nebulization and on the white floor, at the dose of 500 mL week-1 plant-1 in the first cycle and 325 mL week-1 plant-1 in the second cycle. The dose of bovine biofertilizer of 1250 mL week-1 plant-1 promotes a longer duration and duration of the first cycle. During the second cycle, as the bovine biofertilizer doses of 585 and 620 provide higher and lower output than the protected environment. The environment without nebulization and on the floor without painting, the best soluble practices (Brix) in relation to the protected environment of the type screened and a full sun with nebulization.

Salinity is prejudicial to plant development, causing different types of damage to species, or even between genotypes of the same species, with the effects being aggravated when combined with other types of stress, such as heat stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of cowpea genotypes (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) to salt stress at different temperatures. Seeds of the Pujante, Epace 10 and Marataoã genotypes were placed on paper rolls (Germitest®) moistened with different salt concentrations of 0.0 (control), 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1, and placed in a germination chamber (BOD) at temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35°C. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomised design, in a 3 × 4 × 5 scheme of subdivided plots, with four replications per treatment. The variables under analysis were germination percentage, first germination count, shoot and root length, and total seedling dry weight. At temperatures of 30 and 35°C, increases in the salt concentration were more damaging to germination in the Epace 10 and Pujante genotypes, while for the Marataoã genotype, damage occurred at the temperature of 20°C. At 25°C, germination and vigour in the genotypes were higher, with the Pujante genotype proving to be more tolerant to salt stress, whereas Epace 10 and Marataoã were more tolerant to high temperatures. Germination in the cowpea genotypes was more sensitive to salt stress when subjected to heat stress caused by the low temperature of 20°C or high temperature of 35°C.

Several oilseed plants have been researched for biodiesel production in Brazil, and Crambe abyssinica Hochst is one of the most promising species. The effect of the phytonematodes M. incognita race 3 and Meloidogyne javanica on C. abyssinica plants was evaluated in greenhouse experiments. A randomized block design with five nematode inoculum levels (350, 700, 1400, 2800, and 5600 eggs) and ten replications was used. C. abyssinica plants without inoculation were used as controls, and the viability of the nematodes used was tested in tomato plants inoculated with 2000 eggs. The plots consisted of pots containing one plant. The number of root knots (NG), number of egg masses (NEM), and number of eggs + second-stage juveniles (NEJ2) per root system, number of J2 per 200 cm3 of soil (NJ2), and shoot dry weight (SDW) of the inoculated C. abyssinica plants were evaluated at 45 days after inoculation. The reproduction factor (RF) of the nematodes was also evaluated. The resistance of the plants to the phytonematodes was classified using the RF criterion. Crambe abyssinica plants are susceptible to the different inoculum levels of Meloidogyne javanica and M. incognita used, and the data of all nematode variables (NG, NEM, NEJ2, NJ2, and RF) were fitted by linear models.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of swine wastewater (SW), and its effect on the chemical attributes of soil and plants in a long-term experiment. The area was designed for an 8-year hay production, using Tifton 85 grass (Cynodon spp.), with an average annual application of 360 m3 ha-1, divided into 6 applications. Also, soil chemical composition was evaluated at 0.0-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m of depth, and the chemical composition of plant and vegetable materials on the ground were evaluated for two months (November and June). Concentrations of N, Ca, and Cu in SW did not decrease from the affluent to the storage lagoon. It was observed that the content of Cu, Zn, and Mn was classified as in excess in soil that could be a consequence of high levels of these micronutrients utilized in rations of swine in the SW supplier farm, mainly in the rations of piglets combined with a low extraction of these nutrients by plants. In relation to micronutrients and P (46.08 mg dm-3) in the soil, these should be evaluated in greater depth than performed in the present study, because the concentrations did not vary considerably among depths and were high. The concentrations of Cu and Zn were high in shoot plants with an average of 133.0 and 139.30 mg kg-1, respectively. The continuous use of SW should be monitored continuously through analyses of soil and waste, and alternatives must be researched to reduce the concentration of micronutrients and P in SW.

Water availability and substrate type are essential factors in seed germination tests, influencing imbibition and seedling development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two substrates and different water volumes on the germination and vigor of chia seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 6 factorial scheme, which consisted of two substrates, paper towel (Germitest®) and blotting paper, soaked with six water volumes equivalent to 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 times their dry weight, in four replicates of 50 seeds each. Germination percentage, mean time of germination, shoot length, radicle length, shoot dry matter, radicle dry matter, total dry matter (seedling), and root/shoot ratio were evaluated. Based on our results, germination tests for seeds of chia should be conducted using blotting paper (on paper) as substrate, with a water volume of 2.5 to 4.0 times its dry weight. Chia seedlings grown on blotting paper showed greater growth and dry matter accumulation compared to those grown on paper towel.

The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate ratio of methionine plus cystine to lysine in rations for tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) juveniles, with initial weights of 0.28 ± 0.08 g and 0.94 ± 0.33 g. A randomized block design consisting of six treatments, five replicates in two blocks, and 20 fish per replicate was implemented. Six isolisinic (1.45%), isoenergetic, isophosphoric, and isocalcic diets, containing different ratios of methionine plus cystine to digestible lysine (50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, and 75%) were used. Performance and feed efficiency variables, including body composition (moisture, protein, and fat), daily protein deposition rate, daily fat deposition rate, and nitrogen retention efficiency, were evaluated. The specific growth rate and feed conversion presented quadratic effects, with maximum effects from the digestible methionine plus cystine to lysine ratio of 64.4% and 64.8%, respectively. The increase in digestible methionine plus cystine intake resulted in a linear reduction in body fat content with the elevation of the digestible methionine plus cystine to lysine ratio. The digestible methionine plus cystine to lysine ratio recommended in rations for tambaqui fingerlings is 64.8%.

Spain contains a third the entire irrigated area of Europe, accounting for 15% of the cultivated area of the country and almost 60% of the national agricultural production. Knowledge of the spatial and temporal variability of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and the probabilistic theory of extreme events is crucial for the elaboration of sustainable irrigation projects. The objective of this work was to define the frequency distribution that best describes ETo for the design of irrigation systems in the region of Andalusia. We used ETo data for the period 2001 to 2015 from 56 meteorological stations. The values were accumulated over three consecutive days. For all accumulated periods, nine probability distributions were adjusted. The probability distribution that best described ETo for the design of irrigation systems in the region was the Gumbel II distribution. The maximum daily ETo to be considered in irrigation projects in this region is, on average, 10 mm. The accumulated ETo for periods of 5, 10, and 30 days that should be considered are, on average, 42 mm, 78, mm and 224 mm, respectively.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum age at last weighing and compare the goodness of fit of nonlinear models used to fit longitudinal weight-age data to describe the growth pattern of Anglo-Nubian does. Weights of 104 animals from birth to 60 months of age were grouped into 10 age groups at six-month intervals. In each age group, parameters A (asymptotic weight), B (integration constant), and K (maturity index) were estimated using the Brody, Gompertz, logistic, and von Bertalanffy models. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance in a factorial design (10 age groups × 4 nonlinear models). The age group × model interaction was not significant. Mean estimates of A, B, and K were significantly different between age groups up to 30 months (p < 0.05), indicating that the estimated curve is affected by weights taken before this age independent of the model. The values of mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute deviation (MAD), coefficient of determination (R2) and Rate of convergence (RC) at each age group up to 30 months were compared to determine the goodness of fit of nonlinear models. The ranking of fit was logistic, Brody, von Bertalanffy, and Gompertz. The logistic and Brody models respectively estimated the smallest and largest asymptotic weight. Longitudinal weight records taken until 30 months of age are most appropriate for estimating the growth of Anglo-Nubian does using nonlinear models.

The use of mycorrhiza is a promising biotechnology that makes coffee cultivation sustainable in the use of fertilizers. In this sense, plant growth and phosphorus contents were assessed in coffee inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Dentiscutata heterogama in soil fertilized with 0, 0.74, 1.48 and 2.96 g P2O5 kg-1. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with four replications. The mycorrhizal seedlings were previously produced and later transplanted to pots, simulating the field planting. The assessments were performed 150 days after transplanting. All variables were influenced by inoculation, but the effects were dependent on P doses. P doses higher than 50% of the recommended dose (0.74 g P2O5 kg-1) decreased the benefit of mycorrhiza. The fungi Rhizophagus clarus and Claroideoglomus etunicatum promoted a higher growth of coffee plants when compared to non-inoculated plants in non-sterilized soils and with a reduction in the applied P.

The root protrusion test is a vigor test based on the principle that seeds with high vigor emit the primary root faster than less vigorous ones. Chia is a plant propagated by seeds and it is studied owing to its health benefits, but there is little technical information known about its culture. The objective of this work was to adapt the methodology of the root protrusion test to determine the vigor of chia seed lots. Five chia seed lots were submitted to an initial quality evaluation using germination and vigor tests (first germination, emergence, and emergence speed index). The root protrusion test was performed at temperatures of 20, 25 and 30 °C and evaluated every 2 h up to 42 h. During the test, protrusion stability was assessed and the criterion of 2 mm primary root count was used. The root protrusion test at 20 °C did not distinguish the lots in the same way as emergence. At 25 °C it was possible to classify lots after 30 h similarly to emergence. At 30 °C, root protrusion and the separation of seed lots was accelerated. Thus, the root protrusion test conducted for 30 h at 25 °C has sufficient sensitivity to detect differences in vigor between chia seed lots.