Phenotypic stability of hybrids of Gália melon in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil

The objectives of this study were to determine the importance of simple and complex components of the interaction genotype × environment and to evaluate the adaptability and stability of Gália melon hybrids. Nine hybrids were tested in twelve environments of Rio Grande Norte State from 2000 to 2001. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The statistical methods of Toler and Burrows, Wricke and AMMI (Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction) were used to study the adaptability and stability. The complex component is responsible for most of the genotype × environment interaction for the yield and content of solids soluble of fruits. The environments associated with Mossoró and Assu municipalities are the most suitable to evaluate melon hybrids in the state. The hybrid DRG 1537 was the most likely to be grown in the Agro-industrial Complex Mossoró-Assu due to its stability, high productivity and high content of soluble solids.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram determinar a importância das componentes simples e complexa da interação genótipo × ambiente e avaliar a adaptabilidade e estabilidade de híbridos de melão Gália. Nove híbridos foram testados em doze ambientes do Estado do Rio Grande Norte no período de 2000 a2001. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em blocos completos casualizados com três repetições. Os métodos estatísticos de Toler e Burrows, Wricke e AMMI (Additive Main effect and Multiplicative Interaction) foram usados para estudar a adaptabilidade e estabilidade. A componente complexa é responsável pela maior parte da interação genótipo × ambiente para a produtividade e teor de sólidos solúveis dos frutos. Os ambientes associados com Mossoró e Assu são os mais adequados para a avaliação de melão híbrido. O híbrido DRG1537 é o mais promissor para o cultivo no Complexo Agro-industrial Mossoró-Assu, devido à sua estabilidade, alta produtividade e alto teor de sólidos solúveis.

Increasing uptake of macronutrients by plants grown on sandy loamy soil by Fe, Mn, Zn soil application

The effect of increasing doses of iron, manganese and zinc applied as soil application on growth and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium by sunflower and squash plants was studied in pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. The growth of sunflower and squash plants responded positively to soil application of Fe, Mn or Zn. In sunflower plants, zinc application induced the highest effect on uptake of macronutrients compared with iron and manganese application. Whereas, adding iron gave the highest response in squash plants. The ratio of shoot/ root dry weight increased only with iron and zinc in both sunflower and squash plants. The marked increase in content and uptake of N, P, K and Mg by applying Fe, Mn and/or Zn suggests that when plant nutrition was balanced by using micronutrients, plants could make a better use of macronutrients