ABSTRACT Vermiculite mining residues, although of low solubility, contain nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium at concentrations that allow their agricultural use. Beneficial bacteria can increase the solubility of this waste and its efficiency. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of bio-inoculation of vermiculite residue, associated with cattle manure, on the release of nutrients and initial growth of maize. A completely randomized design was performed in a greenhouse with seven treatments and four replications. The treatments were: T1 - soil without fertilization; T2 - soil fertilized with soluble sources of nutrients (conventional fertilization); T3 - application of vermiculite residue (VR); T4 - VR enriched with cattle manure (CM); T5 - VR + CM with Bacillus subtilis; T6 - VR + CM + B. amyloliquefaciens, and T7 - VR + CM +B. subtilis + B. amyloliquefaciens). Regardless of the use of cattle manure or beneficial microorganisms, vermiculite mining waste increased the availability of Ca and K in the soil, but was not able to match the soluble sources of nutrients. Mining waste associated with cattle manure and beneficial microorganisms (B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens) increased microbial activity and enhanced the release of available calcium for maize. VR increased the growth and the dry mass production of maize compared to the non-fertilized soil, but was consistently inferior to conventional fertilizer.

RESUMO Os resíduos da mineração de vermiculita, embora de baixa solubilidade, contêm nutrientes como cálcio, magnésio e potássio em concentrações que permitem seu uso agrícola. Bactérias benéficas podem aumentar a solubilidade deste resíduo e sua eficiência. Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da bioinoculação do resíduo de vermiculita, associado ao esterco bovino, na liberação de nutrientes e no crescimento inicial do milho. Foi realizado delineamento inteiramente casualizado em casa de vegetação com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1 - solo sem adubação; T2 - solo adubado com fontes solúveis de nutrientes (fertilização convencional); T3 - aplicação de resíduo de vermiculita (VR); T4 - VR enriquecido com esterco bovino (CM); T5 -VR+CM com Bacillus subtilis; T6 - VR + CM + B. amyloliquefaciens e T7 - VR + CM + B. subtilis + B. amyloliquefaciens). O VR aumentou a disponibilidade de Ca e K no solo, porém seu desempenho foi inferior às fontes solúveis. Independentemente da utilização de esterco bovino ou de microrganismos benéficos, os resíduos da mineração de vermiculita aumentaram a disponibilidade de Ca e K no solo, mas não foram capazes de igualar as fontes solúveis de nutrientes. Os resíduos de mineração associados ao esterco bovino e aos microrganismos benéficos (B. subtilis e B. amyloliquefaciens) aumentaram a atividade microbiana e aumentaram a liberação de cálcio disponível para o milho. Os resíduos da mineração de vermiculita aumentaram o crescimento e a produção de massa seca do milho em comparação ao solo não fertilizado, mas foram consistentemente inferiores ao fertilizante convencional.

Abstract: Creation, adjustments and adoption of tests and tools that help in the prediction of seed storability have been highly demanded. Therefore, this work aimed to analyze the efficiency of different artificial aging times in predicting the performance of soybean seeds after storage, using the GGE biplot method. Seeds of six genotypes were subjected to storage, under refrigerated and non-refrigerated conditions, and artificial aging, being artificially aged for periods of 0, 48, 96 and 144 hours. Seeds freshly harvested and after natural and artificial aging were subjected to germination and vigor tests. The experiments were analyzed separately, using means test, regression analysis and model identity test, and together, using the GGE biplot method. Artificial aging at a temperature of 41 °C for 96 hours has the potential to be used to predict the performance of soybean seeds after eight months of storage. The GGE biplot is a method that can be used as a tool to analyze the relationships between aging environments and visualize the ranking of genotypes regarding the performance of seeds subjected to natural and artificial aging.

Resumo: Tem sido altamente requerida a elaboração, ajustes e adoção de testes e ferramentas que auxiliem na predição da armazenabilidade de sementes. Diante disso, este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a eficiência de diferentes tempos de envelhecimento artificial na predição do desempenho das sementes de soja após o armazenamento, utilizando-se o método GGE biplot. Sementes de seis genótipos foram submetidas ao armazenamento, sob condição refrigerada e não refrigerada, e envelhecimento artificial, sendo envelhecidas artificialmente pelos períodos de 0, 48, 96 e 144 horas. As sementes recém-colhidas e após o envelhecimento natural e artificial foram submetidas a testes de germinação e vigor. Os experimentos foram analisados separadamente, por meio de teste de médias, análise de regressão e teste de identidade de modelos, e em conjunto, utilizando-se o método GGE biplot. O envelhecimento artificial, à temperatura de 41 °C por 96 horas apresenta potencial para ser utilizado na predição do desempenho de sementes de soja após oito meses de armazenamento. O GGE biplot é um método que pode ser utilizado como ferramenta para analisar as relações entre os ambientes de envelhecimento e visualizar o ranqueamento dos genótipos quanto ao desempenho das sementes submetidas ao envelhecimento natural e artificial.

Infections in fruits caused by fungi reduce the quantity and quality of food for human consumption, in addition to causing economic losses. In this sense, this study aimed to address the effects of eugenol nanocapsules (NCs) based on chitosan and carboxymethylcellulose in protecting nectarines against Monilinia fructicola, a brown rot agent, a worldwide important disease. NCs were prepared by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly starting from an anionic template and deposition with up to two polymeric layers. The hydrodynamic diameters ranged from 158 nm (nanoemulsion), 360 nm (one polymeric layer) to 398 nm (two polymeric layers). NCs presented, during the in vitro release, the release of eugenol following a first order process. In addition to being in the region of stability (zeta potential ca. |30| mV), the capsules showed good adhesion to the nectarine surface. In relation to brown rot, the eugenol NCs with chitosan proved to be the best formulation compared to nanoemulsion and NCs with two polymeric layers for its control, increasing the probability that the fruits remain without symptoms, even after 7 days. Therefore, this study demonstrated that chitosan NCs containing eugenol could be an alternative to preserve fruit for longer periods in post-harvest.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de la inoculación con L. buchneri liofilizado y/o activado sobre las poblaciones de bacterias de ácido láctico en ensilajes de maíz. Los tratamientos experimentales consistieron en ensilaje de maíz sin aditivo y ensilaje con los inoculantes L. buchneri 1 × 10 5 ufc/g, aplicados según las recomendaciones del fabricante (1 g/tonelada de forraje) en las formas de inoculante liofilizado e inoculante preactivado. Se identificaron aislados purificados de ensilajes de maíz con y sin inocu lación, y el 93% de los aislados correspondieron a bacterias de ácido láctico de la especie L. plantarum. Entre los aislados no se detectaron bacterias de la especie L. buchneri. La aplicación de L. buchneri liofilizado o activado en la masa ensilada promueve un aumento considerable de la población de bacterias de ácido lácticas en los ensilajes de maíz durante todo el período de fermentación.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of inoculation with lyophilised and/or activated Lactobacillus buchneri on lactic acid bacteria populations in corn silage. Experimental treatments consisted of corn silage without additives or silage with the inoculants of L. buchneri (1 x 10 5 cfu/g) applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (1 g/tonne fodder) in the forms of the lyophilised inoculant and pre-activated inoculant. Purified isolates from corn silage with and without the inoculant were identified, and 93% of the isolates corresponded to the lactic acid bacteria of the species Lactobacillus plantarum. Among the isolates, no bacteria of the species L. buchneri were detected. The application of lyophilised or activated L. buchneri improved the microbiological profile and reduced ethanol production in corn silage, even without being identified among the isolates captured 70 days after ensilage.

ABSTRACT The cultivation of fruit trees is influenced by abiotic factors such as nutritional management. However, fertilizers are used in large amounts in vineyards, resulting in excess nutrients that can cause stress and reduce fruit quality. Calcium (Ca) is one of the most used nutrients in vineyards due to its effects on fruit quality. However, excess of Ca interferes with the distribution of Ca compounds in fruits, being a form of abiotic stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the nutritional balance of table grape orchards on calcium nutrition and fruit quality. Nineteen table grape orchards were selected in the Submédio São Francisco Valley in 2019 and 2020 crops. The nutritional diagnosis was performed using the integrated diagnosis and recommendation system (DRIS) and the average nutritional balance index (NBIm) was calculated. The concentration of Ca-pectate, Ca-total, berry firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio and dry matter were determined in the fruits. The nutritional diagnosis identified excess Ca in the orchards. The correlation between Ca-pectate and the average NBIm was negative, indicating that the Ca-pectate concentration is higher in vines that are more nutritionally unbalanced. However, the Ca-total in the fruit was not correlated with Ca-pectate. Ca-total and Ca-pectate were not correlated with berry firmness. Calcium nutrition is complex and highlights the importance of associating the assessment of nutritional balance with Ca in fruit quality to optimize the nutritional management of the grapevine.

RESUMO O cultivo de fruteiras é influenciado por fatores abióticos como o manejo nutricional. Contudo, os fertilizantes são usados em grandes quantidades em vinhedos, resultando no excesso de nutrientes que podem causar estresse e reduzir a qualidade dos frutos. O Ca é um dos nutrientes mais utilizados nos vinhedos devido aos seus efeitos na qualidade dos frutos. Entretanto, o excesso de Ca interfere na distribuição das suas frações nos frutos, sendo uma forma de estresse abiótico. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a influência do balanço nutricional da uva de mesa na nutrição cálcica e qualidade dos frutos. Foram selecionados 19 pomares de uvas de mesa no Vale do Submédio São Francisco nas safras de 2019 e 2020. Foi realizado o diagnóstico nutricional utilizando o sistema integrado de diagnose e recomendação (DRIS) e calculado o índice do balanço nutricional médio (IBNm) médio. O teor de Ca-pectato, Ca-total, firmeza da baga, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável, razão sólidos solúveis/acidez titulável e matéria seca foram determinados nos frutos. O diagnóstico nutricional identificou excesso de Ca. A correlação entre Ca-pectato e o IBNm médio foi negativa, indicando que o teor de Ca-pectato é maior em videiras mais desbalanceadas nutricionalmente. Contudo, o Ca-total no fruto não teve correlação com Ca-pectato. O Ca-total e o Ca-pectato não se correlacionaram com a firmeza da baga. A nutrição cálcica é complexa e evidencia a importância de associar a avaliação do balanço nutricional com o Ca na qualidade dos frutos para otimizar o manejo nutricional da videira.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of irrigation systems and water depths on physiological, biochemical and production processes of pear trees grown in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The experimental design was randomized blocks, with 2 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two irrigation systems (drip and microsprinkler) and four irrigation depths (60, 80, 100 and 120% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc), with four replicates. Water deficit and excess applied to plants are harmful to gas exchange as well as to biosynthesis and accumulation of carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins in leaves, compromising the cultivation cycle of pear plants grown in the Sub-Middle São Francisco region. The irrigation depth of 91.8% ETc promotes the highest production of pear (18.49 kg plant-1) under drip and microsprinkler irrigation systems, under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Sub-Middle São Francisco region.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de sistemas de irrigação e lâminas de irrigação sobre processos fisiológicos, bioquímicos e produtivos da pereira cultivada no Semiárido brasileiro. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com fatorial 2 x 4, sendo dois sistemas de irrigação (gotejamento e microaspersão) e quatro lâminas de irrigação (60; 80; 100 e 120% da evapotranspiração da cultura - ETc), com quatro repetições. A deficiência e o excesso hídrico aplicados às plantas são prejudiciais às trocas gasosas, bem como à biossíntese e acúmulo de carboidratos, aminoácidos e proteínas nas folhas, comprometendo o ciclo de cultivo de pereiras cultivadas na região do Submédio São Francisco. A lâmina de irrigação de 91,8% ETc promove a maior produção de pereira (18,49 kg planta-1) sob sistemas de irrigação por gotejamento e microaspersão, nas condições edafoclimáticas do Submédio São Francisco.

ABSTRACT The São Francisco Valley region of Brazil is a leading exporter of mango fruits. Previous nutritional diagnosis can identify stresses, provide adjustments for nutritional limitations, and promote more efficient fertilization and nutrient management. This study aimed to compare the nutritional diagnosis of mango trees in the post-harvest and pre-flowering phases and to correlate them with productivity. Norms and indices of the Integrated System of Diagnosis and Recommendation (DRIS), as well as the Nutritional Balance Index and the Potential of Response to Fertilization were generated for each phenological phase of the mango trees. Optimal concentrations and ranges of nutrients were established, classified as deficient, balanced, or excessive, and subsequently compared to each other and to values recommended in the literature. The indices were correlated with the productivity of the orchards in each phenological phase of the mango trees. When comparing the DRIS norms of post-harvest and pre-flowering phenological phases, 55% of the averages differed. The sufficiency ranges of the post-harvest and pre-flowering phases were generally different from those referenced in the literature. Nutritional diagnoses for P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, and Cl altered between phenological phases. The nutritional diagnosis performed in the post-harvest phase showed that nutritional imbalance affected productivity.

RESUMO A região do Vale do São Francisco no Brasil destaca-se na exportação de frutos de manga. O diagnóstico nutricional prévio pode identificar estresses, antecipar a correção de limitações nutricionais e promover um manejo nutricional da fertilização mais eficiente. O estudo objetivou comparar o diagnóstico nutricional em mangueiras nas fases de pós-colheita e pré-florescimento e correlacionar com a produtividade. Normas e índices do Sistema Integrado de Diagnose e Recomendação foram geradas para cada fase fenológica das mangueiras, bem como o Índice de Balanço Nutricional e o Potencial de Resposta a Adubação. Os teores e faixas ótimas de nutrientes foram estabelecidos e classificados em deficientes, equilibrados ou excessivos. Esses teores e faixas ótimas de nutrientes foram comparados entre si e com valores recomendados na literatura. Os índices foram correlacionados com a produtividade dos pomares em cada fase fenológica das mangueiras. Ao comparar as normas DRIS das fases fenológicas pós-colheita e pré-floração, 55% das médias diferiram. As faixas de suficiência das fases pós-colheita e pré-floração, em geral, foram diferentes das referenciadas na literatura. Os diagnósticos nutricionais para os nutrientes P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn e Cl diferiram entre as fases fenológicas. O diagnóstico nutricional realizado na fase de pós-colheita mostrou que o desequilíbrio nutricional afetou a produtividade.

ABSTRACT The objective of this work was to evaluate the agro-bioeconomic feasibility of immature cowpea and beet cultivar combinations in intercropping systems in a semi-arid environment. Experiments were carried out in two cropping years using a randomized block design with four replicates. The treatments consisted of four cowpea cultivars (‘BRS Tumucumaque,’ ‘BRS Cauamé,’ ‘BRS Guariba,’ and ‘BRS Itaim’) and two beet cultivars (‘Early Wonder’ and ‘Fortuna’). In each block of the experiments, plots in monocropping of the cultivars were sown as additional treatments to obtain the following agronomic and competition indexes and economic indicators: land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER), land use efficiency (LUE), beet equivalent production (BEP), competitive ratio (CR), crop aggressivity (A), gross income (GI), net income (NI), rate of return (RR), and corrected monetary advantage (CMA). The highest agro-bioeconomic efficiency of the tested intercropping systems was achieved in the combination of cowpea cultivar BRS Guariba and beet cultivar Fortuna. Beet behaved as the dominant crop, and cowpea as the dominated crop in all evaluated intercropping systems. The indexes and indicators demonstrated the complementarity and sustainability of the combination of cowpea cultivar BRS Guariba with beet cultivar Fortuna.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a viabilidade agrobioeconômica de combinações de cultivares de feijão-caupi imaturo e de beterraba em sistemas consorciados em ambiente semiárido. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em dois anos agrícolas, em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram da combinação de quatro cultivares de feijão-caupi (‘BRS Tumucumaque,’ ‘BRS Cauamé,’ ‘BRS Guariba’ e ‘BRS Itaim’) e duas cultivares de beterraba (‘Early Wonder’ e ‘Fortuna’). Em cada bloco dos experimentos, parcelas em monocultivo das cultivares foram semeadas como tratamentos adicionais para obtenção dos seguintes índices agronômicos e de competição e indicadores econômicos: razão equivalente de terra (RET), razão equivalente de área no tempo (REAT), eficiência de uso da terra (EUT), produção equivalente de beterraba (PEB), razão competitiva (RC), indice de superação das culturas (ISC), renda bruta (RB), renda líquida (RL), taxa de retorno (TR) e vantagem monetária corrigida (VMC). A mais alta eficiência agrobioeconômica dos sistemas consorciados testados foi alcançada na combinação da cultivar de feijão-caupi BRS Guariba com a cultivar de beterraba Fortuna. A beterraba se comportou como a cultura dominante e o feijão-caupi como a cultura dominada em todos os consórcios avaliados. Os índices e indicadores determinados demonstraram a complementaridade e sustentabilidade da combinação da cultivar de feijão-caupi BRS Guariba com a cultivar de beterraba Fortuna.

RESUMO A suplementação mineral adequada pode ser uma estratégia para viabilizar o uso de água salobra na produção de hortaliças. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito das concentrações de nitrato de cálcio nas trocas gasosas foliares e na produção de couve (Brassica oleracea L.) fertigada com soluções nutritivas salinizadas. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados (4 + 1), com quatro repetições. Foram utilizadas cinco soluções nutritivas, sendo quatro foram preparadas em água salobra (6,0 dS m-1) contendo quatro concentrações de Ca(NO3)2 [(750, 1.125, 1.500 e 1.875 mg L-1)] e um tratamento controle (solução nutritiva padrão usando água de baixa salinidade, 0,5 dS m-1 (750 mg L-1 de Ca(NO3)2) . As seguintes análises foram realizadas: trocas gasosas foliares, área foliar e produção de matéria fresca. A solução nutritiva padrão forneceu maiores valores para taxa fotossintética (13,06 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1), condutância estomática (0,19 mol H2O m-2 s-1), transpiração (2,76 mmol H2O m-2 s-1), eficiência instantânea do uso da água (4,73 mmol CO2 mol-1 H2O), eficiência instantânea de carboxilação (0,053 mmol CO2 mol-1 CO2), área foliar (2,78 cm2 por planta) e produtividade de matéria fresca folhas (2,64 kg por planta).O Ca(NO3)2 não anulou, mas atenuou o efeito deletério do estresse salino nas trocas gasosas foliares, com exceção da produção da couve (massa fresca de folhas).

ABSTRACT Adequate mineral supplementation can be a strategy to enable the use of brackish water in the production of vegetables. This study intended to evaluate the effect of calcium nitrate concentrations on leaf gas exchanges and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea L) fertigated with salinized nutrient solutions. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block experimental design (4 + 1), with four replicates. Four nutrient solutions prepared in brackish water (6.0 dS m-1) containing four concentrations of Ca(NO3)2 [(750, 1,125, 1,500, and 1,875 mg L-1)] and a control treatment (standard nutrient solution using low-salinity water, 0.5 dS m-1 (750 mg L-1 of Ca(NO3)2) were used in the study. The following analyses were performed: leaf gas exchanges, leaf area, and fresh matter yield. The standard nutrient solution promoted higher values for photosynthetic rate (13.06 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1), stomatal conductance (0.19 mol H2O m-2 s-1), transpiration (2.76 mmol H2O m-2 s-1), instantaneous water use efficiency (4.73 mmol CO2 mol-1 H2O), instantaneous carboxylation efficiency (0.053 mmol CO2 mol-1 CO2), leaf area (2.78 cm2 per plant), and leaf fresh matter yield (2.64 kg per plant). The Ca(NO3)2 not nullified but mitigated the deleterious effect of salt stress on leaf gas exchanges, except for kale yield (leaf fresh matter).

RESUMO No semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro as condições edafoclimáticas podem favorecer riscos de salinização do solo, principalmente quando se utiliza água de má qualidade para irrigação. Nesse contexto, técnicas que possibilitem melhorias nos rendimentos da cultura do melão em condições adversas, como a salinidade, são, portanto, de grande relevância para o setor produtivo. Logo, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) na aclimatação do meloeiro submetido a diferentes níveis salinos na água de irrigação. Os tratamentos consistiram de duas condutividades elétricas da água de irrigação (0,3 e 5,0 dS m-1) e quatro concentrações de H2O2 (0, 5, 10 e 15 µmol L-1). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2 × 4, com quatro repetições e quatro plantas por parcela. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação reduz o crescimento, as trocas gasosas e a produção do meloeiro. No entanto, o H2O2, na concentração de 6,35 µmol L-1 proporcionou melhorias na fisiologia, crescimento e produção, além de reduzir os efeitos deletérios do estresse salino na produção de melão.

ABSTRACT In the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil, soil and climate conditions can increase the risk of soil salinization, particularly when poor-quality water is used for irrigation. Therefore, techniques that improve the yields of melon culture under adverse conditions, such as salinity, are of great relevance to the production sector. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in acclimatizing melon trees subjected to irrigation water with different salinity levels. The treatments consisted of irrigation water with two electrical conductivities (0.3 and 5.0 dS m-1) and four concentrations of H2O2 (0, 5, 10, and 15 µmol L-1). The experimental design used was randomized blocks, arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, with four replicates and four plants per plot. Increase in salinity of irrigation water reduced the growth, gas exchange, and production of melon plants. However, H2O2, at a concentration of 6.35 µmol L-1, yielded improvements in physiology, growth, and production, in addition to reducing the deleterious effects of saline stress on melon production.

ABSTRACT: Although the burrower bug (Cyrtomenus mirabilis) is considered a vitalsoil pest in peanut crops, Arachis hypogaea L., in South America, there is little information on its occurrence and damage characterization. This study aimed to evaluate the vertical distribution and fluctuation of the burrower bug in the soil and the damage this species causes in peanuts. Two peanut cultivars (IAC OL3 and IAC 503) were evaluated in three locations in the state of São Paulo: Pindorama, Ribeirão Preto and Votuporanga, in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 harvests. Trenches were dug 0.5 m long, 0.3 m wide and 0.3 m deep, along plant lines at four spots on each sampling date, and stratified in layers 10 cm deep. Plant samples (0.5 m) were collected and evaluated for number of pods and percentage of kernels with symptoms of insect damage. More than 85 % of the C. mirabilis population was found in depths of up to 10 cm, especially after plant fructification, and an increase in nymphs from 100 days after sowing (DAS) was seen when an increased number of maturing pods was observed. The occurrence of nymphs and adults of C. mirabilis and their damage to peanut kernels was similar in both cultivars (IAC OL3 and IAC 503), when these were harvested according to their developmental cycles.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identify plant species visited by Apis mellifera L. in honey producing areas with typical Caatinga vegetation in the State of Bahia, as well as morphologically characterize pollen grains of the most representative species. Flowering specimens were collected from both areas, herborized, identified and deposited at the HUNEB herbarium. Analyses of floristic similarities were performed between eleven municipalities close to the study areas. Pollen was collected from all specimens, acetolyzed, measured, statistically analyzed, morphologically described, and photographed in light microscopy. Of the total of species recorded, 67.46 % were regarded as having beekeeping importance, with the richest botanical families being Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Asteraceae. Additionally, 37.5 % of the recorded species were herbs. The analyzed municipalities showed 84 % of floristic similarity. Of the total species recorded with visits by A. mellifera, 25.52 % had their pollen grains already described in the literature as monads, tetrads and polyads; isopolar, apolar and heteropolar; and mostly prolate spheroidal shape. Sizes varied from small to large, and the amb circular was predominant. The exine ornamentation was greatly diversified, varying from psilate to echinate. The obtained data corroborate the palynological knowledge of plants regarded as having beekeeping importance within the Caatinga.

ABSTRACT Semi-mechanized and mechanized harvesting use machines that promote the transference of vibrational energy and impact to achieve the detachment of coffee fruits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vibration transmissibility in coffee fruit-peduncle systems, using high-speed cameras, submitted to high frequency harmonic excitation in different combinations between frequency and amplitude of vibration, identifying working ranges suitable to perform selective harvesting. Vibration transmissibility was determined for the coffee fruit-peduncle systems, for the maturation stages unripe and ripe that were subjected to a sinusoidal harmonic displacement, in which the input parameters were frequency (35, 45 and 55 Hz) and peak-to-peak amplitude (3.5, 5.0 and 6.5 mm). An experiment was used to study the effect of frequency and amplitude on vibration transmissibility in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 3 x 3 x 2, with three replications. The frequency of 35 Hz, associated with the amplitudes 3.5-6.5 mm, was the one that most influenced the results of vibration transmissibility. For the frequency of 55 Hz and amplitude of 6.5 mm, in the ripe maturation stage, the vibration transmissibility was higher than 1.0, which could be a suitable combination for selective coffee harvesting.

ABSTRACT. Cotton is one of the largest agricultural commodities that generate various sources of foreign exchange and employment worldwide. However, water deficiency is an environmental factor that limits the production of this crop, especially in semi-arid regions. We evaluated pyruvate supplementation to mitigate the effects of water stress on colored cotton. Experiments were conducted in a greenhouse. We studied two forms of pyruvate supplementation (SP1- via seed and foliar and SP2- only via foliar); three conditions of irrigation management of the plants: water restriction in the vegetative phase (VE), flowering (FL), and vegetative and flowering (VE/FL); and additional treatment (total irrigation throughout the crop cycle and without pyruvate supplementation). The experimental design included a randomized block in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial scheme. The factors resulted in seven treatments with three replications, with a total of 21 experimental units. Gas exchange, enzyme activity, and production of components were evaluated. Water restriction in the vegetative phase does not cause losses in BRS Jade cotton when supplemented with pyruvate. However, in the flowering and vegetative phases plus flowering, it reduces gas exchange and production components and increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes in relation to plants under full irrigation. Supplementation with pyruvate via seed plus foliar (SP1) was better for BRS Jade cotton grown under water restriction.

ABSTRACT The study aimed to determine the evapotranspiration (ETc) of the mango cv. ‘Palmer’ over two productive cycles, analyzing water-use efficiency (WUE) and crop water productivity (CWP) to propose average crop coefficient (Kc) values for improving irrigation management under cultivation conditions in the Low-Middle São Francisco Valley. The study was conducted from July 2019 to May 2021 in a commercial ‘Palmer’ mango orchard in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Micrometeorological data was collected throughout the experimental period. The crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was determined using Bowen ratio energy balance (BREB), and then the Kc, WUE, and CWP were determined. The highest ETc values occurred during the floral induction phase (5.14 ± 0.85 mm day-1), with a Kc of 0.85; however, the lowest values were observed during the fruit maturation phase (3.60 ± 0.73 mm day-1), with a Kc of 0.91. Average water consumption per cycle was 1445 mm, with a daily average of 4.39 mm day-1. WUE and CWP were 16.9 and 24.5 kg ha-1 mm-1, respectively. Average Kc values of 0.81, 0.76, 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, and 0.91 are recommended for the vegetative growth, rest period and shoot maturation, floral induction, flowering, fruit development, and fruit maturation phases, respectively.