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.

ABSTRACT The rich genetic diversity and wide adaptation of rice (Oryza sativa L.) to different environments provide fundamental resources for its conservation and improvement. The analysis of canonical correlations can be used to increase the efficiency of selecting superior genotypes, as several traits are evaluated simultaneously. Thus, this study aimed to compare morphoagronomic traits and estimate the magnitude of the association and interdependence between two groups of traits in genotypes of special types of rice. The experiment was carried out between November 2020 and April 2021 at the Department of Plant Science of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Seropédica - RJ. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with four replications. Seventeen genotypes were evaluated, five of them consisting of white rice and eleven special types of rice. Two groups of variables were used to determine the canonical correlations, with group I composed of four morphological traits and group II composed of four yield components. Significant differences (P<0.01) were observed between genotypes for the eight evaluated traits. The first, second, and third pairs showed significant canonical correlations at a 5% probability, demonstrating that these groups are not independent. The selection of superior genotypes for production can be based on choosing plants with higher flag leaf thickness, higher height, and lower flag leaf angle.

ABSTRACT The characterization of genetic divergence in common bean cultivars for various traits related to plant architecture and grain yield is unprecedented. This study proposes to determine whether common bean cultivars of different grain types differ for 12 traits of plant architecture and grain yield; examine the correlations between these traits; analyze the genetic divergence of these cultivars; and select superior cultivars for these traits. A total of 22 common bean cultivars with the grains types most produced in Brazil were evaluated in two growing seasons. Plant architecture was analyzed based on 12 traits, and grain yield was determined at maturity. Significant genotype and genotype × environment interaction effects were obtained, indicating the existence of genetic variability for all evaluated traits. Several plant architecture traits were correlated, but none was highly correlated with grain yield. Firstand second-internode lengths are more important in differentiating common bean cultivars. Principal component and Tocher’s analyses resulted in the formation of four and seven groups of cultivars, respectively. Both methods are efficient in analyzing genetic divergence; however, Tocher's method is more informative. Cultivars BRS Campeiro, SCS 205 - Riqueza, BRS Esteio, IAC Imperador and Guapo Brilhante have a high grain yield potential, but only BRS Campeiro, BRS Esteio and Guapo Brilhante have upright plant architecture.

ABSTRACT The use of resistant cultivars is one of the strategies for downy mildew management. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vertical and horizontal resistance of F5:6 progenies of carotenoidbiofortified lettuce to virulence phenotypes of Bremia lactucae 63/63/51/00, 63/31/19/00 and 63/63/19/00. The experimental design was completely randomized and subdivided into plots that were evaluated over time. In the plots, 12 genotypes of lettuce were used, and the subplots were monitored over time (7th to the 18th day after inoculation). For each virulence phenotypes of Bremia lactucae, a separate experiment was performed with three replicates. To select resistant genotypes, plants were inoculated with distilled water, sporangia removed from infected tissues and Tween 20. The genotypes were evaluated when sporulation appeared on cotyledonary leaves of the susceptible cultivar Solaris, verifying the proportion of necrotic and sporulated plants. There was a correlation between genotypes and times for all virulence phenotypes evaluated. Genotypes UFU-189#2, UFU-206#1, UFU-215#3 and UFU-215#14 showed vertical resistance to virulence phenotypes 63/63/51/00, 63/31/19/00, and 63/63/19/00 of B. lactucae. Horizontal resistance levels were observed in genotype UFU 206#1 for virulence phenotypes 63/63/51/00 and 63/31/19/00; in genotype UFU-66#7 for virulent phenotype 63/31/19/00; and in genotype UFU-215#10 for virulence phenotype 63/63/19/00.

ABSTRACT Aroeira-do-sertão is a Brazilian native species that has been widely explored. Thus, the population of this species has been reduced and techniques for its preservation are essential, such as the conservation of seeds in liquid nitrogen (LN). The objective of this work was to evaluate different cryoprotectant solutions for cryopreservation of aroeira-do-sertão seeds in LN (-196 °C). The treatments used were: control (7.5±1.5 °C); LN without cryoprotectant; sucrose 0.4 mol L-1; sucrose 0.8 mol L-1; glycerol 1 mol L-1; glycerol 2 mol L-1; PVS1 (plant vitrification solution); PVS2; PVS2 + 1% phloroglucinol; and PVS3. The seeds remained frozen for 120 days. The seeds were evaluated for germination and water content before cryopreservation. Several germination parameters were evaluated on the seventh day and plant growth variables were evaluated after 150 days. The seeds presented 9.2% water content and 74% germination before cryopreservation. The germination in the control treatment was 55%, whereas it varied from 61% to 69% under cryopreservation, denoting the positive effect of cryopreservation, even without cryoprotectants (69%). The seeds presented a triphasic water absorption model; the LN accelerated the germination, which started within 56 hours, whereas the germination in the control treatment started after 66 hours. The plant parts presented satisfactory development after 150 days, as shown by the Dickson quality index. The use of cryoprotectants did not affect seed germination and initial growth of seedlings. Aroeira-do-sertão seeds with 9.2% water content can be cryopreserved in LN without cryoprotectants.

ABSTRACT Basidiomycete fungi that decompose wood produce substances with promising biological activity for the alternative control of plant diseases. The production of these substances can change according to the climatic conditions and the substrate used for fungal cultivation. The objective of this study was to develop a substrate with sawdust from Eucalyptus sp. and to verify its influence on biomass and cinnabarin production by Pycnoporus sanguineus. Sawdust was used in two particle sizes: less than 500 microns (G1) and between 500–841 microns (G2). Four isolates of P. sanguineus were plated on Petri dishes containing potato broth and agar media added with 0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, and 15% sawdust for each particle size. The largest final diameter of the colony and speed of mycelial growth were observed in the substrate with G1 particle size, with the Ps14 isolate showing the highest averages. For these variables, the sawdust concentration did not influence G1 granulometry and provided the highest values in G2 granulometry. Fresh mycelium mass and cinnabarin production showed the highest values in G2, with the isolated Ps13 and Ps08 showing the highest averages, whereas in G1, Ps14 had the best performance for the analyzed variables. These results indicate that sawdust from Eucalyptus sp., at concentrations of 10% and 15%, is an alternative for the in vitro cultivation of P. sanguineus, and that particle size influences the growth speed, fresh mass production, and cinnabarin content.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the assimilated contents of mineral elements, yield characteristics and fruit quality of ‘Goldex’ yellow melon fertigated with different doses of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in two years of cultivation in the region of Apodi Plateau-CE. The design was randomized blocks in a 4x3 factorial scheme with four N doses (0%, 50%, 100%, 150% of the recommended dose) and three K doses (0%, 100%, 150% of the recommended dose). In the shoots of the melon plant, the highest levels of N (N Fert.) and K (K Fert.) fertilization promoted an increase in the assimilated N content up to 48 DAT and a reduction in the assimilated K content at the end of the cycle (62 DAT). The maximum shoot dry mass production was 3.23 t ha−1 with a fertilization of 150 and 100 kg ha−1 of N and K, respectively. The average marketable fruit yield obtained in the two years of cultivation was 34.68 t ha−1, reaching a maximum value of 40.28 t ha−1 under 150 kg ha−1 N and K fertilization. Total soluble solids increased as a function of the increase in N Fert. and K Fert., with a maximum value of 8.07 °Brix. The models indicated that the K Fert. factor was decisive in the increase of this variable. In future studies it is necessary to increase the concentrations of the two factors in order to optimize the maximum viability of yield and °Brix.

ABSTRACT The aim of this paper was to study nectar in male and female flowers of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch) accessions, aiming at evaluating the species potential as a melliferous plant. Two experiments were conducted in an experimental area of the State University of Bahia, at the Department of Technology and Social Sciences, in Juazeiro-BA, in the period from January to December 2017. Nectar volume, soluble solids, and pH were evaluated in the two floral types using 32 accessions and Tetsukabuto hybrid, which was used as check. Using a sample of accessions, the types of sugar present in the nectar were studied. Male flowers did not have significant differences in nectar traits; however, there was significant variation in female flowers in the first experiment and in both floral types in the second experiment. In male flowers in both experiments, the maximum volume of nectar was 310 μL and in female flowers it was 803 μL. The sugar concentration was around 24 °Brix. Sucrose was similar in both floral types and was higher than glucose and fructose contents, showing mean values of 1,306.13, 357.14 and 351.88 g.mL−1, respectively. Obtaining progeny with contrasting characters in the accessions will be important for species improvement. These results indicate that pumpkin might be considered as a melliferous plant with great potential.

ABSTRACT Globally, the demand for food and consumer products has accompanied population growth, forcing the agriculture and livestock sector to optimize the production systems. In the specific case of agriculture, using improved edible and energetic plant cultivars associated with abiotic stress-reducing substances is a strategy adopted to solve this problem. This investigation aimed to evaluate whether silicon (Si) promotes physiological adjustments, an increase in production, higher yield, and improved quality of naturally colored cotton fibers. Five doses of silicon (0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg ha−1) were tested in a completely randomized design. The variables assessed were physiological adjustments, production, yield and quality of fibers produced by BRS Rubi cultivar. Data were submitted to principal component analysis, multivariate and univariate analyses of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis. Silicon promotes physiological adjustments, enhanced production, yield, and quality of naturally colored cotton fibers of BRS Rubi cultivar grown in the Brazilian semiarid region. Fiber quality in plants that have been treated with Si is within the expected values for this cultivar and by the international standard D-4605 of the American Society for Testing and Materials. 10 kg ha−1 of Si is recommended to increase fiber quality of naturally colored cotton cv. BRS Rubi.

ABSTRACT In the Brazilian semi-arid region, water deficit is one of the main factors that compromise the growth and productive yield of crops, including yellow passion fruit, due to the limitation of carbon assimilation by the photosynthetic activity of plants. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the soil with technologies that can reduce the loss of water in the soil and mitigate the effects of water deficit on yellow passion fruit plants cultivated under semi-arid conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of hydrogel doses and mulching to the soil on the physiological aspects of irrigated yellow passion fruit cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, referring to five doses of hydrogel (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g dm−3 of soil) in soil without and with mulching from signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens L.). The variables analyzed were chlorophyll indices, fluorescence (initial, maximum and variable) and gas exchange. The total chlorophyll index was increased with the application of 1.5 g dm−3 of hydrogel and the use of mulching; when applying hydrogel doses of 2.0 g dm−3 the photosynthetic rate of yellow passion fruit plants increased, whereas their transpiration rate increased with the use of mulching and doses of hydrogel; as a consequence, there was a reduction in water use efficiency.