ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine how crop residue placement and composition would affect soil water content and temperature during the dry season in the central region of Espírito Santo state, Brazil. A 19-week field study was conducted from April to August 2017. A 2 x 4 factorial study with four replications was implemented using a randomized complete block design. Factors were soil management [conventional tillage (CT) and no soil disturbance (ND)] and residue amendment [maize (Zea mays L.), sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), a maize-sunn hemp mixture, and a no amendment control]. Soil water content and temperature were measured weekly at predetermined soil depth intervals. Soil water content was higher in ND plots amended with surface residues than under all other treatments in the 0 to 0.05 m depth range. All residue amendments in this range were equally effective in conserving soil water. Surface residues reduced soil temperature by up to 8.4 °C relative to the control in ND plots. Incorporating residue amendments by CT cancelled all temperature-moderating benefits provided by surface residues. These results indicate that surface residues from cereals, legumes, or cereal/legume mixtures are equally effective in conserving soil water and moderating soil temperature during the dry season. Additional research is needed to determine how improved soil environmental conditions, generated by surface residues, would affect nutrient acquisition and crop performance.

ABSTRACT Due to the predictions of climate change, there is a need to identify forage plants that can keep their productivity and nutritive value under hydric stress. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomass and chemical responses of three Desmanthus spp. accessions under two water deprivation regimens (7 and 21-day). The experimental design used was randomized blocks in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (access and water deprivation) with four replications. There were reductions in the biomasses of leaf and stem fractions of 64% and 51%, respectively. The 43F accession showed greater leaf (1.86 g.plant-1) and stem (1.97 g.plant-1) biomasses under a total water restriction of 21 days, compared to the 89F and AusT accessions. In accessions 43F and 89F, there were carbohydrate accumulations in the leaves of 28% and 51%, respectively, under the 21-day water restriction, while AusT decreased 38% within a 7-day interval. Water deprivation affected the chemical characteristics of the accessions. Free proline was similar among accessions and accumulated 463% more in the leaves of plants submitted to 21-day water deprivation (90.22 mg.kg-1) compared to those subjected to water deprivation for 7 days (16.03 mg.kg-1). Proline and total soluble carbohydrate accumulation in 43F and 89F were insufficient to regulate crude protein, C content, and C:N ratios. These results demonstrate the variability in drought tolerance among accessions. Accessions 43F and 89F were more susceptible to 21-day water deprivation, while AusT showed greater drought tolerance.

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilt, caused by soil-borne Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum (Fot), can reduce cowpea bean yield. Considering that genetic control through resistant genotypes is pivotal for Fusarium wilt control, the aim of the present study was to identify cowpea genotypes that are resistant to Fot from the Germplasm Bank of the Pernambuco Agronomic Institute, Embrapa Middle North, and other producing areas in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. The cultivar BR-17 Gurguéia was used as a susceptible control and MNC01-649F-2-1 was used as a resistant control. Two experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design in the greenhouse of the Department of Agronomy of the University Federal Rural of Pernambuco. Plants with the first pair of expanded leaves were inoculated with a conidial suspension (106 conidia/mL) using the conidia root-immersion methodology. Fusarium wilt severity in plants was assessed 21 d after inoculation, with the aid of a descriptive scale. In the first experiment, we evaluated the resistance of 38 cowpea genotypes, of which 19 (5 moderately resistant and 14 resistant) were selected for the second experiment. In the first experiment, four genotypes (Canapu PE, Miranda IPA 207, Esperança, and BRS Pujante) did not show any symptoms of Fusarium wilt. In the second, 15 genotypes showed high resistance to Fot, including Canapu PE and Miranda IPA 207, which again had no symptoms of Fusarium wilt. In conclusion, this study identified that the genotypes, Canapu PE, Miranda IPA 207, Esperança, and BRS Pujante have greater resistance to Fusarium wilt.

ABSTRACT Previous investigations showed that diverse varieties of melon may have different attractiveness for bees. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the composition, frequency and behavior of flower visitors of some melon (Cucumis melo) cultivars (Amarelo, Pele de Sapo, Cantaloupe, Gália) in different conditions (conventional and organic farming, dry and rainy seasons, with and without mulching and introduction or not of honey bee hives) in the main production poles in the Brazilian Northeast (Petrolina-PE/Juazeiro-BA, Pacajus-CE and Mossoro-RN). Observations and collections of flower visitors occurred from 5p.m. to 6p.m, in non-consecutive days. We recorded 12 species of insects, mostly bees. The most frequent was Apis mellifera (99.68%), but other species appeared sporadically (less than 0.5%): Xylocopa grisescens, Trigona spinipes, Plebeia sp., Melipona mandacaia, Frieseomelitta doedereleini, Halicitidae. Apis mellifera was present in all studied cultivars and sites. Xylocopa grisescens appeared in two poles, but not in Pacajus-CE, Amarelo cultivar. In addition, Trigona spinipes, although present in the three poles, was not recorded on Pele de Sapo. The Amarelo cultivar, under organic farming, without the use of mulching, and presence of honey bee hives, in the Petrolina-PE/Juazeiro-BA pole, in the dry season, was the combination of factors showing the largest number of Apis mellifera as the main visitor of melon flowers.

RESUMO Os usos de adubos orgânicos trazem benefícios na produção de espécies de plantas em comparação com os fertilizantes industriais, além de contribuir na conservação do solo e da água pela melhor estruturação do solo. O capim vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty), é amplamente utilizado em obras de bioengenharia de solos para a estabilização de encostas e taludes, aumentando a resistência do solo ao cisalhamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do desenvolvimento do capim vetiver em diferentes doses de adubo orgânico para uso na estabilização do solo. Foi conduzido ensaio experimental em casa de vegetação, em vasos, e testadas as seguintes doses de adubo orgânico: T0- 0 g (controle); T1-135 g; T2- 270 g e T3- 405 g de adubo orgânico. Foram avaliadas as variáveis Matéria Seca da Parte Aérea (MSPA), Matéria Seca das Raízes (MSR), Comprimento de Raizes (CR), Números de Perfilhos por Planta (NPP), e Altura da Planta (AP). Os dados coletados foram submetidos a análise de regressão a 5% de probabilidade. As variáveis analisadas apresentaram valores crescentes à medida que foi disponibilizado maiores quantidades do adubo orgânico, que disponibilizou gradativamente nutrientes ao solo promovendo o melhor desenvolvimento da parte aérea pela maior disponibilidade de nitrogênio e assim potencializando maior cobertura ao solo. | ABSTRACT The use of organic fertilizers facilitates the production of plant species compared to industrial fertilizers, with a remarkable contribution to soil and water conservation through soil structuring. Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty) is widely used in soil bioengineering projects to stabilize slopes, increasing the resistance of the soil to shear strength. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the development of vetiver grass at different doses of organic fertilizer on soil stabilization. An experimental test was carried out in a greenhouse, in pots, using the following doses of organic fertilizer: T0-0 g (control); T1-135 g; T2-270 g and T3-405 g of organic fertilizer. Shoot Dry Matter (SDM), Root Dry Matter (RDM), Root Length (RL), Number of Tillers per Plant (NT) and Plant Height (PH) were evaluated. The collected data were submitted to regression analysis at 5% probability. The analysed variables showed increasing values as greater amounts of organic fertilizer, leading to an increase in soil nutrient availability and, consequently, to improved plant development.

ABSTRACT Lisianthus is an important ornamental species, whose cultivation in pot still requires studies, mainly regarding the use of alternative management. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of resistance elicitors on the production and post-production quality of potted lisianthus. Plants grown in pots were treated with two elicitors: (E1) phosphorylated mannano-oligosaccharide and (E2) citric bioflavonoids and phytoalexins, in the doses (D) of 1 and 2pL.L-1 (E1D1 1pL.L-1, E1D2 2pL.L-1, E2D1 1pL.L-1, E2D2 2pL.L-1 and control), with 5 replications, in a completely randomized design. After opening the first flower buds, the plants remained in the greenhouse for 15 days, until they reached at least 3 open flowers, when were transferred to the room conditions (24 ± 2 oC and 72 ± 2%) for another 15 days. The application of elicitors did not influence the culture cycle or the size of the stem. There was an increase, however, in the number of viable buds and open flowers, in addition to an increase in flower’s useful life paralleled to the reduction of senescent flowers, in relation to the control. The dose of 2pL.L-1 of the E2 kept the percentage of viable open flowers in relation to the control for at least another 5 days, reducing the percentage of senescent flowers. Together, with the application of the E2 elicitor in potted lisianthus, the viability of the flowers can be prolonged, maintaining quality and delaying senescence, and, in this way, increasing the market period. | RESUMO O lisianthus é uma importante espécie ornamental, cujo cultivo em vaso ainda requer estudos, principalmente quanto ao emprego de manejo alternativo. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de elicitores de resistência na produção e na qualidade pós-produção de lisianthus em vaso. Plantas de lisianthus cultivadas em vaso foram tratadas com dois elicitores: (E1) manano-oligossacarideo fosforilado e (E2) bioflavonóides e fitoalexinas cítricas, nas doses (D) de 1 e 2pL.L-1 (E1D1 1 pL.L-1, E1D2 2 pL.L-1, E2D1 1 pL.L-1, E2D2 2 pL.L-1 e controle), com 5 repetições, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Após a abertura dos primeiros botões florais, as plantas permaneceram na estufa durante 15 dias, até atingirem pelo menos 3 flores abertas, quando foram transferidas para a condição ambiente (24 ±2 oC e 72 ±2%) durante mais 15 dias A aplicação dos elicitores não influenciou o ciclo da cultura nem o tamanho da haste. Entretanto, observou-se aumento nos números de botões e de flores abertas viáveis, além de aumento dos dias de vida útil, paralelo à redução de flores senescentes em relação ao controle. A dose de 2 pL.L-1 de E2 manteve em, pelo menos, mais 5 dias o percentual de flores abertas viáveis com relação ao controle, reduzindo o percentual de flores senescentes. Em conjunto, com a aplicação do elicitor E2 em lisianthus em vaso pode-se prolongar a viabilidade das flores, por manter a qualidade e retardar a senescência e, assim sendo, aumentar o período de comercialização.

RESUMO Plantas de cobertura podem proporcionar supressão de plantas daninhas e juntamente com o controle químico compor o manejo adequado de plantas daninhas nas áreas agrícolas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito do cultivo de plantas de cobertura durante a entressafra sobre o desenvolvimento de plantas daninhas em área de plantio direto. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram compostos das seguintes coberturas vegetais: 1. pousio (testemunha), 2. milheto (Pennisetum glaucum) + crotalárias (Crotalaria spectabilis + C. juncea + C. ochroleuca), 3. milheto + feijão-guandu (Cajanus cajans), 4. milheto + Urochloa ruziziensis, 5. milheto + Urochloa ruziziensis + feijão-guandu e 6. milheto + trigo mourisco (Fagopyrum esculentum). As avaliações foram realizadas aos 30, 75 e 225 dias após a semeadura (DAS) das plantas de cobertura. As principais plantas daninhas na área foram Cenchrus echinathus, Euphorbia heterophylla e Digitaria insularis. A área de pousio apresentou a maior quantidade, número de espécies e produção de matéria seca de plantas daninhas com densidade de 184 plantas m-2, 9,0 espécies e 527,8 g m-2 de matéria seca aos 225 DAS. Em todos os tratamentos com plantas de cobertura constatou-se que reduziu a densidade e a massa seca das plantas daninhas em comparação com o pousio, com média de 30 plantas m-2, 5,8 espécies m-1 e 7,9 g m-2 aos 225 DAS, respectivamente. Constata-se que o uso de plantas de cobertura é importante estratégia para o controle de plantas daninhas nas áreas agrícolas. | ABSTRACT Cover crops can provide suppression of weeds and together with chemical control make the proper management of weeds in agricultural areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crop cultivation during the off-season on weed development in a no-tillage area. The experimental design was in randomized blocks scheme with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were: fallow (control), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) + crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis + C. juncea + C. ochroleuca), millet + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajans), millet + Urochloa ruziziensis, millet + Urochloa ruziziensis + pigeon pea and millet + buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum. The evaluations were done at 30, 75 and 225 days after sowing of the cover crops (DAS). The main growth weed species in the area were Cenchrus echinathus, Euphorbia heterophylla and Digitaria insularis. Fallow treatment showed greater number of weed species with density of 184 plants m-2, 9.0 species and with 527.8 g m-2 of dry matter mass at 225 DAS. In all treatments verified reduction in the density and mass of weeds dry matter compared to the fallow, with average of 30 plants m-2, 5.8 species and 7.9 g m-2 at 225 DAS, respectively. The use of cover crops is an important strategy for weed control in agricultural areas.

RESUMO Determinar o acúmulo e a exportação de nitrogênio (N) pelo feijoeiro em função da palhada e do seu parcelamento é importante visando o manejo e a sustentabilidade dos sistemas agrícolas. O objetivo com esse trabalho foi determinar o acúmulo e a exportação de N pelo feijoeiro cultivado sob palhada de milho ( Zea mays) e braquiária (Urochloa ruziziensis) exclusivos ou em consórcio e em função do parcelamento da adubação nitrogenada em cobertura. O experimento foi conduzido em Jaboticabal-SP-Brasil, durante a safra 2012/13, num Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico típico, sob área irrigada no sistema plantio direto. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas com quatro repetições, totalizando 120 subparcelas dimensionadas em 25m2 cada. As parcelas foram constituídas pelos sistemas de cultivo antecessores ao feijoeiro: milho, milho consorciado com braquiária e braquiária. As subparcelas foram compostas por dez parcelamentos da adubação nitrogenada de cobertura (PN) estádios fenológicos V 3, V4 e R5 em diferentes combinações. A produtividade de grãos do feijoeiro difere entre os sistemas de cultivo e em função do parcelamento do N em cobertura. O cultivo exclusivo de braquiária proporciona maiores acúmulos de N na parte aérea do feijoeiro comparado ao milho e seu consórcio com braquiária. Independentemente do sistema de cultivo, a aplicação de N em cobertura em dose única de 90 kg ha-1 em V4 (terceiro trifólio) proporciona acúmulos e exportações semelhantes àqueles na ausência da adubação nitrogenada. Os parcelamentos com aplicação de N em cobertura no estádio R5 (pré-florescimento) incrementa as exportações desse nutriente no feijoeiro em sucessão ao milho e seu consórcio com braquiária. | ABSTRACT Determining nitrogen (N) accumulation and export by common bean as a function of straw and of the splitting of this nutrient is very important, aiming at the management and sustainability of agricultural systems. This study aimed to determine the N accumulation and export by common bean as a function of Zea mays and Urochloa ruziziensis grass straw (maize, maize/U. ruziziensis intercropping and U. ruziziensis) and splitting of top-dressing N fertilization. The experiment was conducted in Jaboticabal-SP-Brazil, during the 2012/13 crop season, in a Red Eutrophic Oxisol (Eutrudox) in no-tillage under irrigation. The experimental design was a randomized block with split plots with four replicates, totaling 120 subplots sized in 25m2 each. The plots consisted of the cropping systems prior to common bean: maize, maize/ U. ruziziensis intercropping and U. ruziziensis. The subplots were composed of ten top-dressing N fertilization splitting schemes (NS) at the phenological stages V3, V4 and R5 in different combinations. Common bean grain yield differs among cropping systems and as a function of top-dressed N split application. U. ruziziensis grass as single crop promotes greater N accumulation in common bean shoots compared to maize and its intercropping with U. ruziziensis grass. Regardless the cropping system, top-dressing N application in a single dose (90 kg ha-1) at V4 leads to similar accumulations and exports to those found in the absence of N fertilization. Splitting schemes with N application at the R5 stage increase the exports of this nutrient by common bean in succession to maize and its intercropping with U. ruziziensis grass.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da substituição do feno de Tifton 85 pelo feno de maniçoba em dietas à base de palma forrageira sobre a ingestão e digestibilidade de nutrientes, comportamento ingestivo e parâmetros ruminais de ovinos confinados. Foram utilizados oito ovinos machos com cânula ruminal, distribuídos em quatro níveis (0, 333, 666 e 1.000 g kg-1 de matéria seca) de substituição do feno de Tifton 85 por feno de maniçoba em delineamento quadrado latino. Os animais permaneceram confinados por 60 dias divididos em quatro períodos de 15 dias. A substituição do feno de Tifton 85 por feno de maniçoba não influenciou no consumo ou digestibilidade de matéria seca. No entanto, influenciou de forma linear negativa na digestibilidade da fibra insolúvel em detergente neutro e proteína bruta. O nitrogênio amoniacal e proteína bruta ruminal diminuiu linearmente com a substituição do feno de Tifton 85 por feno de maniçoba. Não houve efeito da substituição do feno na produção de ácidos graxos voláteis ou no biofilme microbiano. A substituição total de Tifton 85 por feno de maniçoba em rações de palma forrageira para ovinos não influenciou o consumo de nutrientes digestíveis totais, a produção de ácidos graxos voláteis ou biofilme, mas afetou a digestibilidade da proteína bruta, nitrogênio amoniacal e teor de proteína bruta no rúmen. Portanto, o feno de maniçoba pode substituir até 300 g kg-1 de feno de capim em dietas de palma forrageira para ovinos, sem comprometer o consumo e os parâmetros ruminais. | ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay in diets based on spineless cactus on the nutrient intake and digestibility, ingestive behaviour and ruminal parameters of confined sheep. In order to do this, eight male sheep with ruminal cannulae were used, distributed across four levels (0, 333, 666 and 1.000 g kg-1 of dry matter) of replacement of Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay in a double Latin square experimental design. The animals were confined for 60 days divided into four periods of 15 days. The replacement of Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay did not influence the dry matter intake or digestibility. However, it influenced in a positive linear fashion the intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates and in a linear negative fashion the digestibility of insoluble fibre in neutral detergent and crude protein. The ruminal ammonia-nitrogen and the crude protein ruminal content decreased linearly with the replacement of Tifton 85 hay with maniçoba hay. There was no effect of hay replacement on the production of volatile fatty acids or the microbial biofilm. The total replacement Tifton 85 by maniçoba hay in spineless cactus diets for sheep did not influence total digestible nutrient intake, volatile fatty acid production or biofilm, but did affect crude protein digestibility, ammonia-nitrogen and crude protein content in the rumen. Therefore, maniçoba hay can replace 300 g kg-1 grass hay in spineless cactus diets for sheep without compromising intake and ruminal parameters.

Lisianthus is an important ornamental species, whose cultivation in pot still requires studies, mainly regarding the use of alternative management. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of resistance elicitors on the production and post-production quality of potted lisianthus.  Plants grown in pots were treated with two  elicitors: (E1)  phosphorylated mannano-oligosaccharide and (E2) citric bioflavonoids and phytoalexins, in the doses (D) of 1 and 2μL.L-1 (E1D1 1μL.L-1, E1D2 2μL.L-1, E2D1 1μL.L-1, E2D2 2μL.L-1 and control), with 5 replications, in  a completely randomized  design.  After opening the first flower buds, the plants remained in the greenhouse for 15 days, until they reached at least 3 open flowers, when were transferred to the room conditions (24 ± 2 oC and 72 ± 2%) for another 15 days. The application of elicitors did not influence the culture cycle or the size of the stem. There was an increase, however, in the number of viable buds and open flowers, in addition to an increase in flower’s useful life paralleled to the reduction of senescent flowers, in relation to the control. The dose of 2μL.L-1 of the E2 kept the percentage of viable open flowers in relation to the control for at least another 5 days, reducing the percentage of senescent flowers. Together, with the application of the E2 elicitor in potted lisianthus, the viability of the flowers can be prolonged, maintaining quality and delaying senescence, and, in this way, increasing the market period. | O lisianthus é uma importante espécie ornamental, cujo cultivo em vaso ainda requer estudos, principalmente quanto ao emprego de manejo alternativo. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de elicitores de resistência na produção e na qualidade pós-produção de lisianthus em vaso. Plantas de lisianthus cultivadas em vaso foram tratadas com dois elicitores: (E1) manano-oligossacarideo fosforilado e  (E2) bioflavonóides  e fitoalexinas cítricas, nas doses (D) de 1 e 2μL.L-1 (E1D1 1 μL.L-1, E1D2 2 μL.L-1, E2D1 1 μL.L-1, E2D2 2 μL.L-1 e controle), com 5 repetições, em  delineamento  inteiramente casualizado. Após a abertura dos primeiros botões florais, as plantas permaneceram na estufa durante 15 dias, até atingirem  pelo menos 3 flores abertas, quando foram transferidas para a condição ambiente (24 ±2 oC e 72 ±2%)  durante mais 15 dias  A aplicação dos elicitores não influenciou o ciclo da cultura nem o tamanho da haste. Entretanto, observou-se  aumento nos números de botões e de flores abertas viáveis, além de aumento dos dias de vida útil, paralelo à redução de flores senescentes em relação ao controle. A dose de 2μL.L-1 de E2 manteve em, pelo menos, mais 5 dias o percentual de flores abertas viáveis com relação ao controle, reduzindo o percentual de flores senescentes. Em conjunto, com a aplicação do elicitor E2 em lisianthus em vaso pode-se prolongar a viabilidade das flores, por manter a qualidade e retardar a senescência e,  assim sendo, aumentar o período de comercialização.