Production and composition of Lavender oil: nutritional management and cultivation systems / Producción y composición de aceite de lavanda: manejo nutricional y sistemas de cultivo

The objective was to evaluate the production and composition of lavender essential oil, simultaneously at open field and greenhouse, in spring-summer season, under different types of fertilization. Each cultivation system was considered an experiment (field and greenhouse), and in both, the experimental design used was randomized blocks, with five treatments, being fertilization with nutrient source -100% mineral (100%M), 100% organic (100%O), 100% organomineral (100%OM), 50% organomineral (50%OM), and without fertilization (control), and three repetitions. Better performance and productivity of Lavandula dentatais related to respectively 100% OM and 50% OM fertilization in the field and greenhouse. The essential oil content does not differ between cultivation systems and kind of fertilizers, and the majorities compounds were 1.8-cineol, fenchone and camphor.

El objetivo fue evaluar la producción y composición del aceite esencial de lavanda a campo abierto e invernadero simultáneamente, en la temporada primavera-verano, bajo diferentes tipos de fertilización. Cada sistema de cultivo fue considerado un experimento (campo e invernadero), y en ambos, el diseño experimental utilizado fue bloques al azar, con cinco tratamientos, siendo la fertilización con fuente de nutrientes 100% mineral (100% M), 100% orgánico (100% O), 100% organomineral (100% MO), 50% organomineral (50% MO), y sin fertilización (control), y tres repeticiones. Un mejor rendimiento y productividad de Lavandula dentata está relacionado con una fertilización de 100%OM y 50% OM en el campo y en invernadero, respectivamente. El contenido de aceite esencial no difiere entre sistemas de cultivo y tipo de fertilizante, y los compuestos mayoritarios fueron 1.8-cineol, fenchone y alcanfor.

Diseño de sistema multiplataforma innovador para el monitoreo y control de variables microambientales de un invernadero y una estación acuícola aplicando e-Agricultura: propuesta para la Escuela Nacional de Agricultura. ENA / Design of an innovative multiplatform system for the monitoring and control of microenvironmental variables of a greenhouse and an aquaculture station applying e-Agriculture: proposal for the Escuela Nacional de Agricultura. ENA

Los objetivos de este proyecto fueron desarrollar un sistema telemático de monitoreo y control de variables microambientales para un invernadero y estación acuícola, aplicando tecnología LoraWan y e-Agricultura, en beneficio de la Escuela Nacional de Agricultura ENA. Para ello se establecieron los requerimientos funcionales para un correcto análisis y desarrollo del sistema telemático aplicando e-Agricultura y se procedió a desarrollar un software de análisis de datos por medio de Inteligencia de Negocios para una correcta interpretación de datos y toma de decisiones. Se realizó un estudio de requerimientos para la selección de las herramientas óptimas del proyecto, estableciendo Laravel como framework de desarrollo, Javascript y PHP.

The objectives of this project were to develop a telematic system for the monitoring and control of microenvironmental variables for a greenhouse and aquaculture station, applying LoraWan technology and e-Agriculture, for the benefit of the Escuela Nacional de Agricultura ENA. For this, the functional requirements for a correct analysis and development of the telematics system were established and it proceeded to develop data analysis software through Intelligence Businesses for a correct interpretation of data and decision making. A study of requirements for the selection of the optimal project tools were performed, proposing Laravel as Development framework, Javascript and PHP.

The oven-drying method for determination of water content in Brazil nut / O método de estufa para determinação do teor de água da castanha-do-Brasil

The official methods adopted by different worldwide agencies for determination of water content of Brazil nut is the dissication in drying oven at 105 ºC during 3 or 24 hours and dissication until constant height of samples. However, applying these methods for Brazil nut, may result in inconsistent values, possibly due to lipid oxidation. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the oven-drying methods, recommended by the official agencies, and to determine the oven-drying correct parameters, such as temperature and exposure time. For this purpose, samples were placed in drying ovens set at 85, 90, 95 and 105 °C and weighed hourly, between 3 and 12 hours and after 24 hours of exposure, and the results were compared to Karl Fisher titration, considered as a reference method in this study. The temperature of 105 °C, for any exposure time, resulted in overestimated water content compared to reference method. However, there was no difference between the water content values obtained by oven-drying assay at 90 °C for 6 hours and by the reference method, allowing to conclude that the determination of water content in Brazil nut samples, in drying oven under these conditions, can be performed with the same accuracy and precision of the Karl Fischer method.

Os métodos oficiais adotados por diferentes órgãos ao redor do mundo para a determinação do teor de água da castanha-do-brasil são a dessecação em estufa a 105 °C por 3 ou 24 horas e a dessecação até peso constante. Contudo, a aplicação destes métodos para a castanha-do-brasil pode resultar em valores inconsistentes, possivelmente pela oxidação dos lipídeos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar a acurácia dos métodos de estufa, recomendados pelas agências oficiais, bem como determinar os parâmetros adequados do método, como temperatura e tempo de exposição. Para isto, amostras foram colocadas em estufas ajustadas em 85, 90, 95 e 105 °C e pesadas a cada hora, entre 3 e 12 horas e ao final de 24 horas de exposição, e os resultados foram comparados com aqueles obtidos por titulação de Karl Fisher, considerado como método de referência neste estudo. A temperatura de 105 °C, para quaisquer tempos de exposição, resultou na superestimação do teor de água comparado ao método de referência. Não houve diferença entre os valores para o teor de água obtidos em estufa a 90 °C por 6 horas e o método de referência, permitindo concluir que a determinação do teor de água em amostras de castanha-do-brasil, em estufas nestas condições, pode ser executada com a mesma acurácia e precisão do método de Karl Fisher.

Chemical compositions and antioxidant activity of Heracleum persicum essential oil

ABSTRACT In this study essential oil of the aerial parts of Heracleum persicum a spice widely used in Iran was isolated by conventional hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) techniques. The extraction yield was determined and the chemical compositions of essential oils were identified by the application of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antioxidant activity was determined by two different methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and oven test methods. Although the main compounds of essential oils by the both extraction methods were similar, the essential oil extracted by HD with lower extraction efficiency showed more diverse compounds. The evaluation of antioxidant activity of the essential oil measured by delay in sunflower oil oxidation indicated that the antioxidant activity was dependent on the concentration which increased when higher concentrations of the essential oils were applied. The results of DPPH radical assay also indicated that the percentage of inhibition increased with increasing of essential oil concentration and IC50 value for essential oil extracted by MAHD method was obtained 1.25 mg/mL. Therefore the Heracleum persicum essential oil might be recommended for use as a flavoring agent and a source of natural antioxidants in functional foods, formulation of the supplements and in medicinal due to numerous pharmacological activities.

Diseño de automatización de sistema de riego de invernadero para el desarrollo de la agricultura familiar en el marco de la seguridad alimentaria: en vínculo con la ENA / Design of automation of greenhouse irrigation system for the development of family agriculture within the framework of food security: in conjunction with ENA

Según el Foro Rural Mundial, en el planeta hay más de 3,000 millones de personas que viven en el campo. La mayor parte, unos 2,500 millones, son agricultores. Más de 1,500 millones trabajan 404 millones de parcelas menores de dos hectáreas, la mayoría menores de una hectárea. En El Salvador, el Censo Agropecuario 2008, registra 390,475 unidades productivas, de las cuales el 85.8% son menores a 3 hectáreas, pero estas, según el Ministerio de Agricultura de El Salvador, proveen más del 70% de la producción de granos básicos. El desconocimiento de la tecnología y la poca investigación en la parte de ingeniería aplicada a la agricultura, no ayudan a impulsar el sector agrícola salvadoreño, a crecer de forma sostenible y lograr aumentar la productividad y la rentabilidad de las cosechas. Es por ello que, la elaboración de sistemas de invernaderos con dimensiones menores, para ser utilizados en cultivos familiares o pequeños negocios ser una casa o negocio ayuda a que estos puedan obtener sus verduras o legumbres con la confianza que son productos orgánicos, libres de químicos y pesticidas.

According to the World Rural Forum, there are more than 3 billion people on the planet who live in the countryside. The majority, some 2.5 billion, are farmers. More than 1,500 million work 404 million plots smaller than two hectares, the majority smaller than one hectare. In El Salvador, the 2008 Agricultural Census records 390,475 productive units, of which 85.8% are smaller than 3 hectares, but these, according to the Ministry of Agriculture of El Salvador, provide more than 70% of the production of basic grains. The ignorance of technology and the little research in the engineering part applied to agriculture do not help to promote the Salvadoran agricultural sector, to grow in a sustainable way and to increase productivity and the profitability of crops. That is why, the development of greenhouse systems with smaller dimensions, to be used in family crops or small businesses, being a home or business helps them to obtain their vegetables or legumes with the confidence that they are organic products, free of chemicals. and pesticides.

Teor e composição do óleo essencial de patchouli (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. ) após diferentes tempos de secagem em estufa e temperatura ambiente / Yield and composition of essential oil of patchouli (Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. ) after different drying periods in oven and at room temperatur

RESUMOPatchouli é uma espécie aromática pertencente à família Lamiaceae que possui óleo essencial com alto valor comercial devido à aplicação nas indústrias de higiene, cosméticos e perfumarias. Considerando as características voláteis e estruturas de armazenamento em diferentes órgãos das plantas aromáticas, a determinação de métodos de secagem é de extrema importância e pode afetar tanto o rendimento como a composição do óleo essencial. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal avaliar o teor e a composição do óleo essencial de patchouli após secagem por diferentes períodos em estufa e a temperatura ambiente. O experimento foi realizado durante o mês de fevereiro de 2011 em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2X6, correspondente a dois métodos de secagem (estufa 65ºC e temperatura ambiente) e seis tempos para o início da extração do óleo essencial após a (0, 2, 4,6,8 e 10 dias após a colheita),com três repetições. O óleo essencial foi extraído por meio hidrodestilação em aparelho graduado de Clevenger e os constituintes do óleo essencial foram analisados por cromatografia em fase gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas. Houve interação significativa entre os métodos e tempos de secagem tanto para o teor como para a composição do óleo essencial. A secagem das plantas por dois dias em estufa a 65ºC aumentou o teor de óleo essencial, após este período houve redução significativa. Para as folhas secas em temperatura ambiente, o teor de óleo essencial foi superior aos quatro e aos seis dias após a colheita. Comparando-se os métodos, a secagem em estufa mostrou-se mais eficiente, sendo o teor significativamente superior após dois dias de secagem. Após este período, no entanto, houve drástica redução do teor de óleo essencial, sendo inferior ao teor observado em todos os períodos nas folhas secas em temperatura ambiente. Os diferentes métodos e tempos de secagem alteraram também a composição do óleo essencial. Embora a secagem em estufa a 65º por dois dias não tenha resultado em redução dos teores dos constituintes majoritários patchoulol e pogostol, maiores teores foram observados após seis ou oito dias de secagem. Quando a secagem foi realizada a temperatura ambiente, não houve alteração dos teores de ambos os constituintes.

ABSTRACTPatchouli is an aromatic species belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has essential oil with high commercial value to the hygiene, cosmetic and perfume industries. Considering its volatile characteristics and storage structures in different organs of aromatic plants, the determination of drying methods is extremely important and can affect both the yield and the composition of the essential oil. This work aimed to evaluate the content and composition of the patchouli essential oil after drying it in different periodin an oven and at room temperature. The trial was carried out in February 2011 at an experimental design completely randomized in 2X6 factorial scheme, corresponding to two drying methods (oven at 65˚C and room temperature) and six periods of essential oil extraction after harvest (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days after harvest), with three replications. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus and the essential oil components were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. There was significant interaction among the methods and drying times for both the content as well as for the composition of essential oil. The drying of the plants for two days in an oven at 65˚C increased the essential oil content; after this period, there was a significant reduction. For the leaves that dried at room temperature, their contentof essential oil was superior at the fourth and sixth days after the harvest. When comparing the methods, the drying in the oven was more efficient, with the oil content being significantly higher after two days of drying. After this period, however, there was a drastic reduction in the essential oil content, lower than the one observed in all periods when the leaves dried at room temperature. The different methods and drying periods also altered the essential oil`s composition. Although drying in oven at 65˚ for two days did not result in reduction of the contents of patchoulol and pogostol, higher contents were observed after six or eight days of drying. When drying was carried out at room temperature, no change in relative content of both components was observed.

Emergência de plântulas de fava em função de posições e profundidades de semeadura / Emergence of lima bean seedlings as a function of position and depth of sowing

A fava, Phaseolus lunatus L., é cultivada em quase todo o território nacional, devido à sua importância econômica. No Nordeste do Brasil, tornou-se uma alternativa de renda e alimento para a população, pois seus grãos são consumidos maduros ou verdes. A pesquisa foi realizada em casa-de-vegetação, no Setor de Horticultura do Campus Professora Cinobelina Elvas, da Universidade Federal do Piauí, situado no município de Bom Jesus, Piauí, com o objetivo de verificar o efeito da posição e da profundidade de semeadura na emergência e no vigor de sementes de P. lunatus L. O delineamento utilizado foi DIC, em esquema fatorial 3X5, com quatro repetições de 25 sementes, onde os tratamentos foram 3 posições das sementes (HC, HB E HL) e 5 profundidades (1, 2, 3, 4, e 5 cm). Avaliaram-se a porcentagem de emergência, primeira contagem de emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, comprimento e massa seca das plântulas. As sementes de P. lunatus devem ser semeadas com o hilo voltado para cima (HC) na profundidade de 3,3 cm.

Phaseolus lunatus L., is cultivated in almost all the national territory, due to its economic importance. In Northeastern Brazil, it has become an alternative source of income and food for native people because its grains are eaten mature or not. The research work was conducted in a net-house at the Horticulture Sector of Campus "Profa. Cinobelina Elvas", Federal University of Piaui, in Bom Jesus county, Piaui State, Brazil aiming to verify the effect of seed position and depth of sowing on seedling emergence and vigor of P. lunatus L. seeds. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications of 25 seeds each, and treatments were three seed positions of sowing (HB, HL and HC ) and five depths (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm). The percentage of emergence, emergence first count, emergence speed index, length and dry mass of seedlings were recorded. The P. lunatus seeds should be sown with the hilum facing up (HC) at a depth of 3.3 cm.

Invernaderos automatizados para el desarrollo de la agricultura familiar en el marco de la seguridad alimentaria / Automated greenhouses for the development of family farming within the framework of food security

La agricultura en El Salvador es una actividad que se desarrolla aplicando técnicas tradicionales con poco grado de ingeniería y de automatización por parte de los agricultores. En el país existen pocas empresas dedicadas a la producción de verduras y hortalizas por medio de sistemas de invernaderos automatizados o con cierto de grado de control. Los costos de instalación de estos sistemas automatizados representan una alta inversión para la mayoría de agricultores que desean entrar en la industrialización de sus cultivos y aumentar la productividad y calidad de sus cosechas para lograr exportar sus frutos. Es por eso que la Escuela Especializada en Ingeniería ITCA-FEPADE, en conjunto con la Escuela Nacional de Agricultura ENA, se encuentra trabajando en el diseño y montaje de un prototipo de sistema automatizado para invernaderos familiares de menor costo, que les permita a los agricultores mejorar su condición económica por medio de una producción más controlada y protegida.

Agriculture in El Salvador is an activity that is developed by applying traditional techniques with little degree of engineering and automation by farmers. with a certain degree of control. The installation costs of these automated systems represent a high investment for the majority of farmers who wish to enter into the industrialization of their crops and increase the productivity and quality of their crops in order to export their fruits. That is why the ITCA-FEPADE Specialized School in Engineering, in conjunction with the National School of Agriculture ENA, is working on the design and assembly of a prototype of an automated system for lower-cost family greenhouses, which allow farmers improve their economic condition through a more controlled and protected production.

Greenhouse evaluation on the performance of heat tolerant transgenic broccoli and genetic diversity analysis using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Background: Broccoli, Brassica oleracea subsp. italica is one of the many valuable Brassica species which is still less cultured under in vitro condition. Heat tolerant transgenic and non-transgenic broccoli cv. Green Marvel plantlets with well-developed root system obtained through in vitro culture were transferred into disposable plastic pots containing sterilized potting mixture consisting of (peatgroTM) + coconut dust (2:1) and maintained in a growth chamber. Results: After one month, the hardened plantlets were transferred and maintained in a transgenic greenhouse. After four months of acclimatization in the transgenic greenhouse, the efficacy of HSP101 gene in increasing the heat tolerance of the transgenic broccoli was evaluated. Results showed that the transgenic plants could survive and performed normally, producing flower heads even at the highest tested temperature of 34ºC. Seven transgenic broccoli lines with different gene copy number of the AtHSP101 gene as well as the control plant were assessed for genetic diversity using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Conclusions: ISSR results showed polymorphism and phylogenetic relationship between the transgenic and non-transgenic (control) Brassica oleracea cv. Green Marvel.

A propagation procedure for Cuphea aequipetala Cav. (Lythraceae) and antioxidant properties of wild and greenhouse-grown plants / Procedimiento para la propagación de Cuphea aequipetala Cav. (Lythraceae) y propiedades antioxidantes de plantas silvestres y crecidas en invernadero

Cuphea aequipetala Cav. (Lythraceae) is native to Mexico and is used in folk medicine to treat tumors. An efficient protocol for in vitro shoot proliferation and plant acclimatization of C. aequipetala was developed. Total phenolic compounds and flavonoids contents were determined in methanolic extracts of roots, stems, and leaves from wild and greenhouse-grown plants. Their antioxidant properties were compared using in vitro assays (scavenging of 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, and reducing power in the phosphomolybdenum assay). This is the first report of a successful propagation procedure for C. aequipetala. These methods offer a viable approach for long-term in vitro conservation and proliferation of this species. C. aequipetala shoots maintained their proliferation capacity during long-term subculture (3 years). The propagated shoots can successfully acclimatize and grow to maturity, and they retain the ability to accumulate antioxidants.

Cuphea aequipetala Cav. (Lythraceae) es una planta nativa de México que se utiliza en la medicina tradicional para tratar tumores. En este trabajo se desarrolló un procedimiento para la proliferación de brotes y la aclimatización de plantas de C. aequipetala. Se determinó la concentración de compuestos fenólicos totales y de flavonoides en extractos metanólicos de raíces, tallos y hojas de plantas silvestres y crecidas en invernadero. Sus propiedades antioxidantes fueron comparadas utilizando ensayos in vitro (captura de radicales DPPH y ABTS y poder reductor por el ensayo de fosfomolibdeno). Este es el primer reporte exitoso sobre un procedimiento para la propagación de C. aequipetala. Este método ofrece una alternativa viable para la conservación a largo plazo y la proliferación de esta especie. Los brotes de C. aequipetala han mantenido su capacidad de multiplicación a largo plazo (tres años). Los brotes se convirtieron en plantas adultas aclimatadas, manteniendo su habilidad para acumular compuestos antioxidantes.

Biological control of Rhizoctonia solani in tomatoes with Trichoderma harzianum mutants

Biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani in tomatoes cultivated under greenhouse and field conditions was analyzed using the Trichoderma harzianum mutants Th650-NG7, Th11A80.1, Th12A40.1, Th12C40.1 and Th12A10.1 and ThF2-1, respectively. Their innocuousness on tomato cultivars 92.95 and Gondola (greenhouse assays), and on cultivar Fortaleza (field assays) was established. Alginate pellets (1.7 g pellets/L soil) containing c.a1 x 10(5) colony forming units (cfu)/g pellet were applied to a soil previously inoculated with R. solani at transplant (greenhouse) or to a naturally infected soil (field). Controls considered parental wild strains, a chemical fungicide and no additions. Th11A 80.1, Th12A10.1 and Th650-NG7 prevented the 100% mortality of tomato plants cv. 92.95 caused by R. solani, and the 40% mortality in tomato plants cv. Gondola (greenhouse assays). Mortality reduction was reflected in canker level lessening and in plant parameters increases (development, fresh and dry weights). A different degree of susceptibility of tomato plants was observed, being Gondola cv. more resistant than 92.95 cv. to infection in a soil previously inoculated with R. solani. Tomato plants of cv. Fortaleza did not show mortality in naturally infected soils (field assays), where the mutant ThF2-1 reduced significantly the canker level caused by R. solani.

Morfo-anatomia da plântula de tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. (Apocynaceae) / Morphology and anatomy of the seedling of tabernaemontana catharinensis A. DC. (Apocynaceae)

Tabernaemontana catharinensis, conocida vulgarmente como lechero, es una especie perteneciente a la familia Apocynaceae. El actual estudio se refierea la morfología y la anatomía de la plántula de esta especie. Las semillas colectadas desde varios arboles creciendo en la planicie de la inundación del alto río Paraná, fueron germinadas en una cámara de germinación con una temperatura constante de 300C y mantenidas bajo luz fluorescente continua. El desarrollo de las plántulas ocurrió en un invernadero. La anatomía fue estudiada en plántulas fijadas en FAA 50. Este material fue seccionado transversalmente y las secciones obtenidas fueron teñidas en safranina y azul de astra. La plántula es fanerocotiledonar y epígea y presenta raíz axial, cuello, cotiledones ovados, epicótilo reducido, y eófilos lanceolados semejantes a los metáfilos. Su raíz es tetrarca. El hipocótilo y epicótilo tienen estructura caulinar y presentan crecimiento secundario cuya peridermis es de origen del felógeno en el ámbito epidérmico. Los cotiledones y eófilos son hojas dorsiventrales, con un estrato de parénquima en empalizada y algunas capas de parénquima esponjoso. Los cotiledones tienen un haz vascular colateral en la vena media, mientras en los eófilos el haz es bicolateral.

Tabernaemontana catharinensis is a species belonging to the family Apocynaceae. In this paper, the seedling morphology and anatomy of this species are described and discussed. The seedling development was analyzed until the first eophyll pair’s formation. The seeds were collected from several trees, in fragments of the semideciduous seasonal alluvial and submontaneforest located on the Upper Paraná River floodplain. The seeds were germinated at constant temperatures of 300C, using germination chambers and maintained under continuous fluorescent light. Seedlings development occurred in the greenhouse. The seedlings fixed in FAA 50 were sectioned by microtome and stained with safranin and astra blue. Seedling is phanerocotylar and epigeal with axial root, collet, ovate cotyledons, reduced epicotyl, and lanceolate eophylls similar to the metaphylls. Root is tetrarch. Hypocotyl and epicotyl have stem structure, and they present secondary growth with phellogen of epidermic origin. Cotyledons and eophylls are dorsiventral leaves, with uniseriate palisade parenchyma and some layers of spongy parenchyma. Cotyledons have a collateral vascular bundle in the midrib, while in the eophylls is bicollateral one.

Biocontrol of root and crown rot in tomatoes under greenhouse conditions using Trichoderma harzianum and Paenibacillus lentimorbus: additional effect of solarization

Trichoderma harzianum 650 (Th650) and Paenebacillus lentimorbus 629 (Pl629) selected earlier for their ability to control Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum in vitro, were applied alone or combined with solarization (summer assay) and/or with methyl bromide (MeBr) (summer and winter assays) to a soil with a high inoculum level, for the control of tomato root rot caused by the complex F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici - Pyrenochaeta lycopersici - Rhizoctonia solani. Evaluations were also performed independently for root damage caused by P. lycopersici, and also for R. solani in the summer assay. MeBr decreased tomato root damage caused by the complex from 88.7 percent to 21.2 percent and from 78.4 percent to 35.7 percent in the summer and in the winter assay, respectively. None of the bio-controllers could replace MeBr in the winter assay, but Th650 and Pl629 reduced root damage caused by this complex in the summer assay. Treatments with bio-controllers were improved by their combination with solarization in this season. Independent evaluations showed that the positive control of Th650 towards R. solani and the lack of effect on P. lycopersici correlates well with the endochitinase pattern expressed by Th650 in response to these phytopathogens. Root damage caused by R. solani can be controlled at a similar level as it does MeBr in summer assays, thus representing an alternative to the use of this chemical fungicide for the control of this phytopathogen.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. ) seed quality evaluation using seed physical attributes, saturated salt accelerated aging and the seed vigour imaging system

High seed quality is essential for optimum stand establishment in lettuce. As a result, it is necessary to have seed vigour tests that permit rapid, objective and accurate evaluation of seed quality. This study evaluated physical and physiological seed quality components of four seed lots of six lettuce varieties obtained from a commercial company. Seeds were evaluated for seedling emergence under greenhouse conditions, standard germination, seed physical aspects, the Saturated Salt Accelerated Aging (SSAA) test and the Seed Vigour Imaging System (SVIS). Results indicated that large-seeded lettuce varieties had higher percentage germination, higher SSAA values, higher SVIS index and more rapid and uniform greenhouse emergence. Black-seeded lettuce varieties possessed higher seed quality and less fungal invasion when evaluated by the SSAA test. The SVIS index significantly correlated with SSAA values and seedling emergence under greenhouse conditions suggesting it can be used as a measure of seed vigour. It is concluded that the SSAA and SVIS tests are practical and accurate determinants of lettuce seed quality and distinguish between high and poor quality lettuce seed lots.