ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the optimum plot size to three sunflower hybrids in three spatial arrangements of plants. The uniformity test was installed in the experimental field of the Federal University of Recôncavo of Bahia, in Cruz das Almas, Brazil, in 2012. The plots were composed of six lines of 36 m, which were willing three spatial arrangements of plants: A1 (0,45 m x 0,49 m); A2 (0,70 m x 0,32 m) and A3 (0,90 m x 0,25 m), and each arrangement were distributed three sunflower hybrids: Hélio 250, Hélio 253 e Aguara 3. For the evaluation of the optimal plot size, at 110 days after sowing was harvested a sample of 180 basic units (plants) per plot, in which were evaluated the final plant height, the final diameter of the rod and the diameter of the chapter. Thirty-one plots sizes of three hybrids were simulated and for each variable assessed, wherein each plant was considered as a basic unit. The estimation of optimum plot size to the sunflower crop was calculated by the method of modified curvature maximum. The combined use of hybrid H253, installed in the arrangement 0.45 m x 0.49 m, promotes obtainment the greatest value of curvature maximum it was estimated the optimum plot size of six plants. | RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o tamanho ótimo de parcela de três híbridos de girassol em três arranjos espaciais de plantas. O teste de uniformidade foi instalado no campo experimental da Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, em Cruz das Almas, Brasil, em 2012. As parcelas foram compostas por seis linhas de 36 m, sendo dispostos três arranjos espaciais de plantas, quais sejam: A1 (0,45 mx 0,49 m); A2 (0,70 mx 0,32 m); e A3 (0,90 mx 0,25 m). Foram distribuidos em cada arranjo três híbridos de girassol: Hélio 250; Hélio 253; e Aguara 3. Para a avaliação do tamanho ótimo de parcela , aos 110 dias após a semeadura, foi colhida uma amostra de 180 unidades básicas (plantas) por parcela, no qual foram avaliadas a altura final de planta, o diâmetro final da haste e o diâmetro do capítulo. Foram simulados 31 tamanhos de parcela dos três híbridos e para cada variável analisada em cada planta considerada como uma unidade básica. A estimativa do tamanho de parcela para a cultura de girassol foi calculada pelo método de máxima curvatura modificada. O uso combinado do híbrido H253, instalado no arranjo de 0,45 mx 0,49 m, promoveu a obtenção do maior valor da máxima curvatura, estimando-se o tamanho ótimo de parcela de seis plantas.

Several breeding programs aim to develop superior maize genotypes able to be explored in off-season cropping, mainly due to the increased area under maize produced in alternative season. Few hybrids on the market are adapted to the environmental conditions of autumn-winter. The objective of this study was to identify the inbred lines adapted to off-season condition, by the analysis of combining ability of 50 S3 maize inbred lines, developed by the Maringá State University. These inbred lines were crossed with two adapted hybrids (AG9040 and P30K75), used as testers. The male and female flowering time and also the grain yield (kg ha-1) adjusted for moisture (14,5%) and stand (65.000 plants) were evaluated in 3 locations of the western region of Paraná. The tester AG9040 presents itself as the best to contribute to high grain yields in their topcrosses. The line 30 had high general combining ability for yield in the three environments. The crossing line AG9040 x 49 obtained significant estimates of specific combining ability (SCA) for grain yield in Toledo and Palotina. Also, there is the crossing line AG9040 x 38 to obtain relevant SCA for yield and flowering Tupãssi in male and female. With the tester 30K75 mainly determined by the intersection with the line 27, so it is recommended that this inbred line can be used as tester lines from the commercial hybrid 30K75. With the tester AG9040 mainly determined by the intersection with the line 48, therefore, thes lines can be used as a new tester inbred lines derived from commercial hybrid AG9040.

This study aimed to evaluate the spatial variability using the indicative kriging method in pre- paring probability maps of the occurrence of soil chemical properties and productivity. Data were collected in a ground area planted with soybeans in a no - till system, with a regular grid sampling of 60 x 60 m, totaling 124 points. At each point were deformed soil samples collected to determine the chemical attributes (pH, Potassi- um, Calcium, Magnesium and Aluminum exchangeable, available phosphorus, zinc, potential acidity, soil or- ganic matter, cation exchange capacity and base saturation). To determine productivity were collected all the plants within 1 m ² of the sample point. Data were categorized into binary codes on the amounts presented in the recommendation for the use of lime and fertilizer. Later it used the geostatistical analysis and attributes potassi- um, phosphorus, magnesium and base saturation that presented spatial dependence underwent kriging as inter- polation technique. Occurrence probability maps were drawn of the evaluated attributes presented spatial de- pendence. The probabilistic maps showed that the central area evaluated was more likely to need correction to the levels of potassium attributes, phosphorus, magnesium and base saturation. From the analysis of the maps, you can detect nutrient deficient areas and making corrections and use of localized management techniques, minimizing operating costs and economic that culture.

Castor produces racemes primary, secondary, tertiary, among others, whose contributions to the overall productivity differ. In this context, the aim was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics and to deter-mine the influence of the order of racemes and nutrient sources on yield of castor bean. Thus, under field con-ditions, in the municipality of Remigio, Paraíba State, an experiment with BRS Nordestina cultivar was carried out in randomized blocks design arranged in 5 (different sources of organic manure: without organic manure, compost, compost enriched with rock powders and manure and mineral complete) x 4 (orders of racemes pri-mary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary) factorial experiment, with four replications. During the experiment, plant height and insertion of racemes were evaluated, length and number of racemes, early blooming and matu-ration of racemes. After harvesting, the following variables were determined: mass of racemes, number of grains per plant, yield, weight of hundred grains, length and width of the grains and the contribution of differ-ent orders of racemes in total yield. The growth of castor bean increased with the fertilizing, especially for or-ganic compounds. The first inflorescences were emitted in castor bean plants fertilized organically. The mass of racemes, the number of grains per plant and productivity were higher in racemes of secondary and tertiary orders. The length and width of the grains was higher in primary racemes. The highest yields were obtained with the use of organic sources.

The goal of this paper was to determine the effects of seven diets with differents fatty acids sources in hematology of Nile tilapia before and after cold stimulus. Seven diets, with 3% of fatty acid source, were formulated: soybean oil (OS); fish oil (OP); beef tallow (SB) and mixtures of OS+OP; OS+SB; OP+SB e OS+OP+SB. Fish (112 male of Nile tilapia of 30,0 ± 2,65g) were totally randomly distributed, with four repli-cates, into 28 plastic aquaria (40 L; 4 fish per aquarium). Fish were fed four times per day for 35 days. At 35th day and also after seven days cold stimulus blood was collected and the profile hematological was evaluated. Leucocytes numbers were reduced in fish fed a SB and fish oil combination diet and were highest in fish fed SB diet before cold stimulus. Plasma protein was reduced in fish fed soybean oil diets and highest in fishes fed a combination of soybean oil, fish oil and SB diets. Anything fatty acids source promotes effective changes in fish health and cold tolerance promotion. Cold don’t drastically reduced fish general health status.

The effect of the covered and conventional cultivation of grapevine (cv. Superior Seedless) on the aerial dispersion of pathogen inoculum and dynamic of diseases was investigated in two-year (2009 and 2010) and period similar to the year. The experiment was conducted at the experimental station of Embrapa semiarid. The traps were maintained at 0.5 meters above the canopy of the grapevine, and the samples taken every 24 hours with the exchange of slides 9:00 a.m. Greater dispersion of pathogens (Plasmopara viticola, Phakopsora euvitis, Alternaria alternata) and intensity of diseases (downy mildew, rust, and bacterial canker) were detected in grapevines under conventional cultivation. The aerial dispersal of the fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae was similar under grapevine covered and uncovered.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and the adaptive profile of de 25 steers ¶ Angus x μ Nelore (RED) and 25 steers ´ Angus x ´ Nelore (NEL), during the milking and the fattening phas-es, in an intensive system, at Rio Grande do Norte state. The body weights, anterior and posterior high, as well as the thoracic perimeter, were monthly measured to evaluate the growth pattern. As adaptive responses were registered rectal temperature and hair coat traits. The statistical analyzes were based in the minimum square method, utilized mixed models. At the beginning of the trial both of genetic groups presented the same body weight (103,03kg) and from the second sampling on the animals RED were superior in comparison with the NEL and showed higher body weight at the weaning (181,60kg RED e 158,57kg NEL) and the 13th months. On the other hand, there was no difference between the genetic groups for the final weight (slaughter body weight). There were differences in all the performance characteristics analyzed. The RED group was superior in relation to the NEL group. The hair coat characteristics didn't differ between the genetic groups, except the hair coat length, which was higher in the RED animals. We concluded that both of genetic groups were adapted to tropical weather conditions, nevertheless, despite the better performance showed by the animals RED during the suckling and the fattening phases, the NEL animal may be indicated because of the similar slaughter body weight.

The development of vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L.) has been evaluated under differ-ent levels of phosphorus on slopes of the right-side bank of the San Francisco River, in the municipality of Am-paro do São Francisco, SE. Techniques of soil bioengineering were used, characterized by the combination of vegetated riprap with stakes, seedlings of vetiver grass and sediment retainers. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five doses (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 g pit-1 of simple superphosphate) and five replicates. The growth of vetiver seedlings were observed in periods of 30, 60, 90, e 180 days, carrying out the following pa-rameters: number of roots, external root surface, root density, root length, root length density, root and shoot dry weight, root and shoot fresh weight, and shoot length, at each evaluation period. The phosphorus doses and periods of morphological development interacted in all variables of plant biomass mentioned above. Higher superphosphate doses than 9.0 g pit-1 did not offer advantages in terms of cost-benefit for the production of vetiver seedings.

Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton - Apocynaceae (silk-flower) is an important species for several usages: ornamental, forage, timber, textile and medicine, that justify its study. We investigated the physiological behavior and the vigor of seeds under different storage conditions. There were performed month-ly evaluations of germination, seedling emergence, speed of emergence, seedling length and weight of seedling dry matter, during 180 days. Experimental design was completely randomized with a 6x5x3x2 factorial, using combinations of six storage periods (30, 60, 90, 120, 150 e 180 days), five moisture contents (30, 24, 18, 12 e 7%), three package types (paper bags, plastic bags and PET bottles) and two environmental conditions (chamber: 16 °C a 18 °C and laboratory: 27 °C a 30 °C, both environments with 50±5%) with four replications of 50 seeds. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance using F (p≤ 0.05) test to treatments and Tukey test for averages comparison, with polynomial regression analysis considering the storage periods. There were con-cluded that silk flower seeds presented orthodox physiological behavior; the vigor decreased when stored for 180 days; silk flower seeds with 7% moisture content are preserved efficiently in paper bags and controlled environment for 90 days.

This work aimed to study the agronomic feasibility of the arugula (A) and lettuce (L) bicropping intercropped with carrot (C) under different amounts of roostertree incorporated into the soil and proportions of population densities among component crops in semiarid conditions of the Rio Grande do Norte state. The experimental design was randomized complete block with four replications, with the treatments arranged in a factorial 4 x 4. The first factor was constituted by the amounts of roostertree incorporated into the soil (10, 25, 40 and 55 t ha - 1 on a dry basis) and the second factor by the proportions of population densities of the component crops in polyculture [(50A - 50C - 50L (%); 40A - 50C - 40L (%); 30A - 50C - 30L (%) and 20A - 50C - 20L (%) of the recommended populations in sole crops - RPSC)]. The leafy vegetable crops were planted in two cultivations during the carrot cycle, and a joint analysis was carried out involving the two cultivations in the 4 x 4 factorial scheme. The characteristics evaluated were green mass yield (arugula), dry mass of shoots and productivity (lettuce), total, commercial and classified productivity of carrot roots. The modified monetary advantage was used to evaluate the agronomic feasibility of intercropping systems. The use of roostertree as green manure proved viable in the polyculture of arugula, carrot, and lettuce. The major agronomic perfor- mance of the arugula, carrot and lettuce in the polyculture was registered in the amount of 55 t ha - 1 of rooster- tree incorporated into the soil. The population density proportions of arugula, carrot and lettuce of 50A - 50C - 50L (%) of the RPSC were those that provided the greatest agronomic feasibility of the polycultures.