In order study the different management techniques stakes pomegranate 'Wonderful' for vegeta-tive propagation in the dry and rainy season, in the semiarid region of Paraiba. The survey was conducted in the greenhouse, in the Campus Center of Science and Agrifood Technology, Federal University of Campina Grande, in the City of Pombal-PB, Brazil. There were two experiments, one in the dry season, which com-prised from August to December 2012 (Experiment I), and another in the rainy season, from January to June 2013 (Experiment II). Experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four repli-cations and five plants per replication. To monitor the growth and physiology of the plant was adopted factorial consisting of two factors, managements of cuttings (cuttings with leaves, cuttings without leaves and cuttings without leaves more base incision) in function evaluation times (Days after planting). The propagation material was purchased from commercial plants and cuttings of softwood type. The samples were standardized by size, standard length 15 cm. The management of the cuttings leafless more incision in the base is most suitable for the propagation of pomegranate 'Wonderful'. The management of the cuttings with leaves is not suitable for the propagation of the pomegranate 'Wonderful', in the dry season. The rainy season is the ideal time for the pro-duction of seedlings of the pomegranate 'Wonderful'. The ideal time to obtain saplings of pomegranate 'Wonderful' is 144 days after planting the cuttings.

Deficiency of micronutrients is increasing in the recent years in cropping systems in many parts of the world and cover crops are important components of cropping systems. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) use efficiency in 14 tropical leg-ume cover crops grown on an Oxisol. The P levels used were low (0 mg kg-1), medium (100 mg kg-1) and high (200 mg kg-1). The P X cover crops interactions were significant for Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn use efficiency (tops dry weight/unit nutrient uptake). Hence, cover crop species varied in nutrient use efficiency with change in P levels. The micronutrient use efficiency was in the order of Cu > Zn > Mn > Fe. Higher Cu use efficiency was associated with lower uptake of this element, in the cover crop tops compared to other micronutrients. Similar-ly, lower efficiency of Fe and Mn was associated with their higher uptake in the tops of cover crops. Overall, Cu and Mn use efficiency was decreased when P level was raised from low to medium level and then it was constant. Iron use efficiency was increased with increasing P level but Zn use efficiency was constant with the addition of P fertilizer

The Monosporascus Cannonballus is the main agent of decline roots. However, grafting is be-ing tested to overcome this disease. From this perspective, the current research, aimed to screen resistant root-stocks and evaluate the compatibility of grafting watermelon Crimson Sweet. The experiments were conducted in a greenhouse and Laboratory of Plant Pathology-II, UFERSA Mossoró, RN. In the first, 12 genotypes were used: watermelon (TPR- 02978 e TPR- 04329); melon (TPR- 05851 e TPR- 08689) e pumpkin (TPR- 06827, PES- 07, PEC- 01, PEM- 06, PED- 02, PEK- 05, Shintoza e Fito), sown in pots with soil naturally infected by M. cannonballus. After 60 days, the roots were evaluated (DR) and (IGD) and (IA). In the second, Crimson Sweet was used as graft and PEC-01, PES-07, PEK-05 and Shintoza as rootstocks. The seventeenth day, were evaluated (% PEG), (AB2), (AC), (L), (NF), (DC), (AP), (MSPA) e (MSR). The experimental design was ran-domized, using the Scott-Knott and Tukey tests SAEG® 9.1. There were lower notes the (DR): TPR-02978, TPR-06827, TPR-08689, PES-07, PEC-01, PED-02, PEK-05 e Shintoza. The (IGD): TPR-02978, TPR-08689, TPR-06827, PES-07, PEC-01, PEM-06, PED-02, PEK-05, Shintoza e Fitó. And (IA): PES-07, PEC-01 and PEK-05. The PEC-01 had the highest (% PEG). And the highest rates of MSPA and the MSR were obtained in PEC-01 and Shintoza. The TPR- 02978, TPR- 04329, TPR- 05851, TPR- 08689, TPR- 06827, PEM- 06, PED- 02, Shintoza and Fito showed susceptibility. As for PEK-05, PES-07 and PEC-01, they were resistant to M. cannonballus and the latter presented to the graft compatibility Crimson Sweet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of ruminal fermentation dry matter and car-bohydrates of two varieties of sugar cane ensiled with different additives using a semiautomatic technique in vitro gas production. We used a completely randomized design with a factorial 2 x 5, two varieties of cane sug-ar (RB 86 7515 and IAC 86 2480) and five additives (urea, NaOH, CaO, corn and L. buchneri) and without additive treatments, with the opening of the silos being made at 60 days after ensiling. Pressure readings were performed on days 0; 2; 4; 6; 8; 10; 12; 15; 19; 24; 30; 36; 48; 72 and 96 h. The pressure caused by organic matter was recorded in a pressure transducer universal and for adjusting the parameters kinetic model was used bicompartmental. The technique of in vitro gas production satisfactorily estimated the volume of gases from silage and sugarcane raw. The higher gas volume fraction of fiber was not in IAC 86 2480, with the additive NaOH. In the fiber fraction only difference between varieties with the additive urea, and the IAC 86 2480 that had the highest volume. The cane silage IAC 86 2480, showed the best values for most of the evaluated kinetic parameters. The best results for the parameters of degradability were in silages with NaOH and CaO.

Aiming at evaluating the postharvest shelf life of banana Prata Catarina coated with cassava starch or PVC films, were harvested bunches of bananas in the physiological maturity stage. The fruits were packed in boxes and transported to the Food Chemistry Lab of the Federal Institute of Ceará, Campus of Limoeiro do Norte for 10 days at room temperature (27.5 °C and RH 62.5%). The design used was a complete-ly randomized one in 3 x 5 factorial scheme, which the first factor was treatment (control, cassava starch 3% and PVC film,) and the second period of storage (0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days) with four replications of four fruits per plots (clusters). The use of PVC film and cassava starch 3%, influenced the physical and physicochemical char-acteristics evaluated, except for firmness and soluble solids of the „Prata Catarina‟ banana stored under ambient conditions. The use of PVC film was effective in maintaining the external appearance and reduced weight loss. However, the application of cassava starch 3%, was not effective in reducing weight loss, maintained the fruits with good appearance till the end of storage. The „Prata Catarina‟ bananas control had a shelf life of 8 days, while the bananas coated with cassava starch and PVC had a shelf life of 10 days stored at ambi-ent conditions.

This study reported for the first time the occurrence of the pink hibiscus mealybug Maconelli-coccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil attacking the following fruit species: soursop (Annona muricata L.) (Annonaceae), guava (Psidium guajava L.) (Myrtaceae), mango (Mangifera indica L.) (Anacardiaceae), carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) (Oxalidaceae), acerola (Malpighia glaba L.) (Malpighiaceae), cajazeiro (Spondias lutea L.) (Anacardiaceae) and cupuaçuzeiro (Theobroma gran-diflorum) (Willd. ex Spreng.) Schum.) (Malvaceae). The percentages of injured plants were recorded for each plant species in the field. Damaged plants showed short internodes, wrinkled leaves, fruit deformation, and sooty mold developed on the honeydew excreted by the mealybugs. Infested plant structures were taken to the Laboratory of Entomology of the Center for Agricultural Sciences, of the Federal University of Alagoas, where the mealybug species was identified through morphological characteristics. The following injury percentages were recorded on the plants: soursop (100%), guava (10%), mango (10%), carambola (100%), acerola (100%), cajá (50%) and cupuaçu (100%). The mealybug collected in Maceió, AL; Brazil was identified as Maconelli-coccus hirsutus (Green, 1908) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). It was the first record of this species in the state of Alagoas and infestation by pink hibiscus mealybug on the host plants mango, acerola and cajazeiro in Brazil.

Abstract: The present work aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of lettuce-arugula intercropping fertilized with different amounts of roostertree biomass incorporated into the ground. The experiment was conducted during the period of September to November of 2011, in the research area of the Experimental Farm Rafael Fernandes, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró-RN. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of the following biomass amounts of roostertree incorporated into the soil (5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 t ha- 1 on a dry basis). The characteristics evaluated in the vegetables were: height and diameter of plants (lettuce), number of leaves per plant, productivity (lettuce), yield of green mass (arugula) and dry mass of shoots. The efficiency of intercropping system was determined through the score of the canonical variable. The optimization of the agronomic performance of the lettuce intercropped with arugula was made possible with the incorporation of about 37 t ha-1 of roostertree into the ground. The use of roostertree as green manure is agronomically viable in the intercropping of lettuce and arugula besides contributing to a better use of environmental resources. | Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho agronômico do consórcio de alface e rúcula fertilizado com diferentes quantidades de biomassa de flor-de-seda incorporadas ao solo. O experimento foi conduzido no período de setembro a novembro de 2011, na área de pesquisa da Fazenda Experimental Rafael Fernandes da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, Mossoró-RN. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram das seguintes quantidades de biomassa de flor-de-seda incorporadas ao solo (5,15, 25, 35 e 45 t ha-1 em base seca). As características avaliadas nas hortaliças foram: altura e diâmetro de plantas (alface), número de folhas por planta, produtividade (alface), rendimento de massa verde (rúcula) e massa seca da parte aérea. A eficiência do cultivo consorciado foi determinada pelo escore da variável canônica. A otimização do desempenho agronômico da alface consorciada com rúcula foi viabilizada com a incorporação de aproximadamente 37 t ha-1 de flor-de-seda ao solo. O uso de flor-de-seda como adubo verde é viável agronomicamente no cultivo associado de alface e rúcula, além de contribuir para um melhor aproveitamento dos recursos ambientais.

ABSTRACT: This research aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) var. Bode Vermelha seeds, obtained from fruits at different ripening stages. The fruits of C. Chinese were separated according to the ripening stages, based on pericarp color (green fruits - stage 1, orange fruits - stage 2, light red fruits - stage 3, red fruits - stage 4, and carmine-red fruits - stage 5). To evaluate the ripeness and the physiological quality of the seeds were determined the biometric characteristics of the fruits and seeds, mass of thousand seeds, seeds water content, electrical conductivity, standard germinations test, speed of germination index, percentage of normal seedlings, speed of seedlings formation, accelerated aging, and seedling length. The characters length, diameter, weight, and number of seeds of the fruits and length, width, thickness, and mass of the seeds were analyzed by the estimated parameters using descriptive statistics. For the other variables was used the completely randomized design. The results were submitted to variance analysis and comparison of means by the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The ripeness stage affects the physiological quality of C. chinense Jacq. var. Bode Red seeds, being the seeds from red (stage 4) to carmine-red (stage 5) fruits those with the best performance thus, they are physiologically ripe, being the most indicated to seeds obtaining. | RESUMO: A presente pesquisa objetivou avaliar a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de pimenta (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) var. Bode Vermelha obtidas de frutos em diferentes estádios de maturação. Os frutos de C. chinense foram separados em cinco estádios de maturação, baseando-se na coloração do pericarpo (frutos verdes - estádio 1, frutos alaranjados - estádio 2, frutos vermelhos-claros - estádio 3, frutos vermelhos - estádio 4 e frutos vermelho-carmim - estádio 5). Para a avaliação da maturação e da qualidade fisiológica das sementes foram determinadas as características biométricas dos frutos e sementes, massa de mil sementes, teor de água das sementes, condutividade elétrica, teste padrão de germinação, tempo médio de germinação, porcentagem de plântulas normais, velocidade de formação de plântulas, além dos testes de envelhecimento acelerado, e comprimento de plântulas. Os caracteres comprimento, diâmetro, massa e número de sementes dos frutos e comprimento, largura, espessura e massa das sementes foram analisados por meio de parâmetros estimados utilizando-se estatística descritiva. Para as demais variáveis foi utilizado delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância e a comparação de médias pelo teste Scott-Knott, ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. O estádio de maturação influencia na qualidade fisiológica das sementes de Capsicum chinense Jacq. var. Bode Vermelho, sendo as sementes oriundas de frutos de coloração vermelho (estádio 4) a vermelho-carmim (estádio 5) as que apresentaram os melhores desempenhos e, portanto, estão fisiologicamente maduras, sendo os mais indicados para obtenção das sementes.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to characterize the morphology of seeds and seedlings and evaluate the germination of seeds of Albizia edwallii submitted to different substrates and temperatures. In physical characterization were evaluated thousand seed weight, the number of seeds per kilogram and moisture content. To determine the morphological characteristics, it was evaluated the biometry of 50 seeds, as well as its internal and external characteristics. Germination was conducted at three temperatures (20 ° C, 25 ° C and 30 ° C) and three substrates (sand, vermiculite and blotting paper) with five replications of 40 seeds per treatment, in a factorial 3 x 3 and completely randomized design. The variables were germination percentage, germination rate index, mean germination time, and synchronization index. The thousand seed weight was 47.7 g, while the number of seeds per kilo was 20.964 for the moisture content of 13.1%. The seeds have an elliptical shape, no endosperm and have persistent funiculus. Germination is epigeal, and the seedling is phanerocotylar being fully formed at 15 days. Temperatures of 20 ° C and 25 ° C provide the highest germination rates, 42 and 38%, respectively, and germination speed index (GSI). The use of sand as a substrate provided better germination percentage than the other substrates. Thus, it is recommended to use sand as a substrate and temperatures of 20 ° C and 25 ° C in A. edwalli germination tests. | RESUMO: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a morfologia de sementes e plântulas e avaliar a germinação de sementes de Albizia edwallii submetidas a diferentes substratos e temperaturas. Na caracterização física foram avaliados o peso de mil sementes, número de sementes por quilo e grau de umidade. Para a determinação das características morfológicas foi avaliada a biometria de 50 sementes, bem como as suas características internas e externas. A germinação foi conduzida sob três temperaturas (20 °C, 25 °C e 30 °C) e três substratos (areia, vermiculita e papel mata-borrão), com cinco repetições de 40 sementes por tratamento, em esquema fatorial 3 x 3 e delineamento inteiramente casualizado. As variáveis avaliadas foram porcentagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, tempo médio de germinação e índice de sincronização. O peso de mil sementes foi de 47,7 g, enquanto que o número de sementes por quilo foi de 20.964 para o grau de umidade de 13,1%. As sementes possuem forma elíptica, não apresentam endosperma e possuem funículo persistente. A germinação é epígea e a plântula é fanerocotiledonar, estando completamente formada aos 15 dias. As temperaturas de 20 °C e 25 °C propiciaram os maiores percentuais de germinação, quais sejam, 42 e 38%, respectivamente, e índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG). A utilização de areia como substrato proporcionou percentuais de germinação superiores aos demais substratos avaliados. Assim, recomenda-se a utilização de areia como substrato e as temperaturas de 20 °C e 25 °C para os testes de germinação de A. edwalli.

RESUMO: A implantação do sistema de colheita mecanizada de cana-de-açúcar resultou em alterações no sistema produtivo, dentre elas a modificação da flora infestante, haja vista a promoção do surgimento de espécies de plantas daninhas que antes não eram recorrentes nos canaviais. Diante do exposto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar curvas de dose resposta dos herbicidas amicarbazone, saflufenacil, mesotrione e sulfentrazone em pós-emergência no controle das plantas daninhas Merremia aegyptia, Ipomoea purpurea, Luffa aegyptiaca, Mucuna aterrima e Ricinus communis. O experimento foi realizado em casa de vegetação, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram da aplicação das diferentes doses dos herbicidas sobre as plantas daninhas M. aegyptia, I. purpúrea, L. aegyptiaca, M. aterrima e R. communis quando estas se encontravam no segundo par de folhas verdadeirasO método utilizado foi o de curva de dose resposta, sendo aplicadas doses equivalentes a 1,5, 1,0, 0,5, 0,25 e 0,00 vezes a dose comercial de cada produto (amicarbazone, saflufenacil, mesotrione e sulfentrazone). Aos 7, 14 e 21 dias após as aplicações dos tratamentos (DAT) foram avaliados visualmente o controle, e aos 21 DAT determinada a massa seca da parte aérea. O amicarbazone e sulfentrazone na dose comercial ocasionou controle superior a 80% para todas as espécies estudadas. Os herbicidas saflufenacil e mesotrione não foram eficazes no controle de L. aegyptiaca e R. communis, respectivamente. Dessa forma, foram observados diferentes níveis de suscetibilidade das espécies de plantas daninhas aos herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência, sendo os mais eficazes amicarbazone e sulfentrazone. | ABSTRACT: The implantation of the mechanized harvesting system of sugarcane led to changes in the production system, in the production system was the modification of the weed flora, promoting the emergence of weed species that weren`t present in the conventional production system where the sugar cane was burnt. The present work had the objective of determining dose response curves of the herbicides amicarbazone, saflufenacil, mesotrione and sulfentrazone in post-emergence, over the weed species Merremia aegyptia; Ipomoea purpurea; Luffa aegyptiaca; Mucuna aterrima e Ricinus communis. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with delineation entirely randomized, with four repetitions. The treatments constituted of the spraying of different doses of the herbicides amicarbazone, saflufenacil, mesotrione and sulfentrazone over the weed plants M. aegyptia; I. purpurea; L. aegyptiaca; M. aterrima e R. communis when the plants had two pairs of true leaves. The method used was the dose response curves, being sprayed doses equivalent to 1,5; 1,0; 0,5; 0,25 and 0,0 times the commercial dose of each product (amicarbazone, saflufenacil, mesotrione, and sulfentrazone). The herbicides were sprayed individually over each weed species,. By 7, 14 and 21 days after the applications of the treatments (DAT), the symptoms of phytotoxicity were visually evaluated, and by 21 DAT, the dry mass of the shoots was determined. The herbicides saflufenacil and mesotrione weren`t effective in controlling Luffa aegyptiaca e Ricinus communis, respectively. The application of the herbicides sulfentrazone and amicarbazone resulted in control superior to 80% for all weed species times the commercial dose studied. Therefore, different levels of susceptibility of the weed plants to post-emergent herbicides were observed. The herbicides amicarbazone and sulfentrazone were the most effective.