ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to identify communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soils under pasture, silvopasture, and Cerrado forest ecosystems, and evaluate the effects of land use system, soil texture, and seasonality on the dynamics of AMF communities, in Alta Floresta D'Oeste, Rondônia, Brazil. Samples of the soil 0-20 cm layer were randomly collected in each ecosystem in July, 2010 (dry season) and January, 2011 (rainy season). Spores were extracted, counted, and identified. The spore density and density of each species of AMF were estimated. The frequency of occurrence, Shannon diversity index, and Simpson diversity index were calculated for each species. Multivariate clustering analysis was carried out, considering the number of AMF of each species. The results showed a trend of higher number of spores in the Cerrado forest ecosystem, regardless of the soil texture or season, when compared to pasture and silvopasture areas. The Glomus macrocarpum species presented 100% frequency of occurrence in the rainy season in both soil textures. The effects of texture and seasonality on the composition and diversity of AMF communities was more expressive in the Cerrado forest ecosystem. The climate, soil texture, and land use and management affected the composition and diversity of AMF species.

ABSTRACT The study of drying kinetics is fundamental for making the correct choice of time and temperature to be used in the drying process. In addition, mathematical modeling enables the simulation, optimization, sizing, and determination of the commercial application of the drying system. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the kinetics and mathematical modeling of the drying process of macaúba almond [Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex Mart] performed at different temperatures. For this purpose, the drying was performed under three different temperatures: 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C. Four repetitions were performed for each temperature. The experimental data were fitted by nine different mathematical models. The choice of the best model was based on the following statistical parameters: magnitude of the adjusted coefficient of determination, magnitude of the mean relative error, and standard error of the estimate. It was observed that an increase in the drying temperature resulted in a reduction of drying time. The shortest drying time was observed in the treatment performed under 60 °C in which the almonds attained equilibrium moisture content at 34.08 h. The longest drying time was observed in the treatment performed under 40 °C, with the almonds attaining equilibrium moisture content at 404.40 h. Approximation of Diffusion, Midilli, Page, and Modified Page were the models that best described the drying process of macaúba almonds with the aim of subsidizing the design of industrial dryers.

ABSTRACT Information of the variation for important morphological and physiological traits of okra is still limited. Molecular analysis is an important additional tool in germplasm characterization studies. The study aimed to evaluate the performance of the growth and yield of 20 pre-commercial okra accessions to identify molecular markers’ association with morphological traits. Nineteen morphological traits were measured with five qualitative and 14 quantitative descriptors. For analysis of genetic patterns Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used with nine primers and 24 usable bands. The genetic dissimilarity was evaluated based in morphological and genetic matrices. Also, graphical representation of genetic distances was obtained by UPGMA and Tocher’s optimization method. The morphological characterization of the accessions detected polymorphism for all evaluated traits. RAPD markers were efficient in detecting genetic variability among okra accessions. For the primers used in the experiment, only OPE10 did not amplify the DNA strand. The other eight primers produced a total of 35 bands, in which 25 were polymorphic and ten were monomorphic. The morphological traits and molecular markers identified wide genetic variability among the 20 okra accessions, indicating successful crosses in breeding programs and isolating some interesting materials. Morphological and molecular cluster analyses were complementary and helped in the genotype selection. Molecular analysis indicated some divergent accessions that were not found in morphological analysis, which could highlight some materials that have a desirable trait, that is difficult and highly costly to access in field experiments.

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 Knowledge about the effect of chemical conditioners on the reduction of the deleterious effects caused by salinity on crops is of great importance for the expansion of the cultivation of vegetable crops such as zucchini in the semi-arid region of the Northeast. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the foliar application of hydrogen peroxide as a mitigator of salt stress on the gas exchange, production, and postharvest fruit quality of zucchini cultivated in a hydroponic system. The study was conducted in NFT-type (Nutrient Film Technique) hydroponic system in a greenhouse, in Pombal — PB, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to four levels of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution - ECns (2.1 (control); 3.6; 5.1 and 6.6 dS m−1), and four concentrations of hydrogen peroxide - H2O2 (0; 20; 40 and 60 μM), with three replicates. Nutrient solution with electrical conductivity above 2.1 dS m−1 caused a reduction in gas exchange and the total number of fruits of zucchini. An increase in nutrient solution salinity levels increased the total soluble solids content of the fruits and the initial fluorescence of zucchini. Under conditions of nutrient solution salinity above 2.1 dS m−1, hydrogen peroxide could not mitigate the effects of salt stress. Application of 20 μM of H2O2 when the plants were grown in a nutrient solution of 2.1 dS m−1 promoted higher total fruit weight and basal diameter of the fruits.

ABSTRACT In semiarid regions with greater climatic variability, including prolonged droughts and delayed rainy seasons, supplemental irrigation is critical to ensuring yields of forage cactus pear. The objective was to evaluate root distribution and nutrient concentration and accumulation in ‘Gigante’ forage cactus pear subjected to different irrigation regimes. Seven irrigation regimes were tested: no irrigation (rainfed); five liters of medium-salinity water, with an electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.75 dS m−1, applied per linear meter every 15 days; 7% reference evapotranspiration (ETo) with a 15-d irrigation interval (II); 15% ETo with a 7-d II; 33% ETo with a 3-d II; 50% ETo with a 2-d II; and 100% ETo, irrigated daily - high-salinity water, EC of 3.6 dS m−1, was used in the last five treatments. The treatments were laid out in a randomized block design with four replicates. Roots developed best in plants irrigated at 50% ETo with a 7-d II. Applying high-salinity water at 15% ETo with a 7-d irrigation interval promotes higher concentrations of P, Ca, Mg and S in cladodes of cactus pear. Applying high-salinity water at 33% ETo with a 3-d II promotes higher uptake/accumulation of P, Ca, Mg, S and Zn in cladodes of ‘Gigante’ forage cactus pear.

ABSTRACT Arrowroot (Maranta arundinaceae), a traditional plant used to extract medicinal starch that is gluten-free and of excellent nutritional quality, is understudied for its growth and development in the organic crop system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and photoassimilate partitioning in plants of two cultivars, Comum and Seta arrowroot. The design was performed in random blocks with four repetitions. At 57 days after planting (DAP), the plants were collected at regular intervals of 25 days throughout the crop cycle, and the dry mass was determined. Growth analysis was performed using the primary data. The cultivars Comum and Seta show maximum absolute growth rates of 10.51 and 12.42 g plant−1 day−1 and the maximum leaf area index (LAI) of 18.74 and 14.62, as recorded for 216 and 205 DAP, respectively. The higher absolute growth rate and higher growth of arrowroot plants in a shorter time indicate greater precocity of cultivar Seta compared to Comum. The photoassimilate partitioning is balanced between the aerial parts and rhizomes at the end of the cycle. Both cultivars can be recommended for the organic crop system in the Zona da Mata region of Minas Gerais.

ABSTRACT Sugarcane is one of the main agricultural crops in Brazil and the presence of weeds in production areas can affect growth, development and accumulation of nutrients of the crop, which may relate to the density and area of influence of the weeds in the field. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of the density and distance of crabgrass (Digitaria horizontalis Willd) on the development of pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) of sugarcane of the variety IAC SP 95-5000. We conducted the experiment in a greenhouse in a randomized design with four repetitions. We evaluated height, leaf area, aerial dry biomass, and nutritional analysis of leaf tissue of the PSS after the weeds flowered at 84 days. The crabgrass did not interfere in the biometric and nutritional parameters when they were 18 and 24 cm away from the crop. Regardless of the planting density and the density of 80 plants m-2 of crabgrass for all distances, we considered the distance of six cm between the crop and the weeds critical for the crop, since they significantly reduced height, leaf area, and aerial dry biomass of the PSS. The crabgrass was a potential competitor for N, P, K, Mn, Fe, and Zn with the PSS in the conditions of 2, 6, and 12 cm when they were in 40 and 80 plants m-2.

ABSTRACT Macrophomina (Botryosphaeriaceae) is one of the main genera of soilborne phytopathogenic fungi, which causes root and seed rot in more than 800 host plants worldwide. Recent phylogenetic studies identified the species M. phaseolina and M. pseudophaseolina in Trianthema portulacastrum and Boerhavia diffusa in melon and watermelon production areas in northeastern Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this study was: i) to verify the effect of temperature and salinity on the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina, M. pseudophaseolina and M. euphorbiicola, ii) to assess their pathogenicity on melon and watermelon seedlings, and iii) to determine their sensitivity to the fungicide carbendazim. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth rate (MGR) for Macrophomina spp. ranged from 27.18 ºC (CMM4771 – M. pseudophaseolina) to 31.80 ºC (CMM4763 – M. phaseolina). For the effect of salinity on mycelial growth of Macrophomina isolates, the EC50 ranged from 103.76 (CMM4868 – M. euphorbiicola) to 315.25 mM (CMM4801 – M. pseudophaseolina). The pathogenicity test demonstrated that M. phaseolina, M. pseudophaseolina and M. euphorbiicola are pathogenic on melon with M. phaseolina exhibiting a higher level of virulence. Macrophomina euphorbiicola isolates did not cause disease in watermelon. The most sensitive isolates to the fungicide carbendazim were CMM4868, CMM4867 (M. euphorbiicola) and CMM1531 (M. phaseolina) with EC50 of 0.003, 0.012 and 0.012 mg.L-1 a.i., respectively. All Macrophomina spp. used in these experiments were pathogenic to the tested melon and watermelon cultivars with the exception of the M. euphorbiicola isolate that did not cause damage to watermelon.

ABSTRACT The adequacy of spraying technology in the control of Asian rust to factors related to soybean cultivars and fungicide type is fundamental for the efficiency in the control of this disease. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the chemical control of Asian soybean rust and the deposition of the fungicide applied in the crop, according to different volumes and spray nozzles. Four field experiments were set up during the 2014/2015 season, each carried out with one soybean cultivar, using: NA 5909 RR®, NS 7237 IPRO®, BMX Potência RR® and W 712 RR®. The experimental design was randomized blocks in a 2x2x2 factorial arrangement, with four replications. The first factor corresponded to the use of fungicides: [pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole] and [pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole] + mancozeb; the second factor, types of spray nozzle: double and triple fan; and the last factor, application volume: 60 and 120 L ha-1. The highest application volume resulted in greater deposition of droplets in the canopy of the plants, regardless of the fungicide, type of spray nozzle and cultivar. The association of fungicides [pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole] + mancozeb showed greater efficacy in controlling rust, regardless of the type of spray nozzle and the volume applied when compared to [pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole]. The highest volume of application promoted less disease evolution in the cultivars NA 5909 RR®, NS 7237 IPRO® and BMX Potência RR®. The yields of the cultivar were higher when the combination [pyraclostrobin + epoxiconazole] + mancozeb was used.