ABSTRACT
The cactus pear has demonstrated productive potential in arid and semi-arid regions due to its photosynthetic process of crassulacean acid metabolism. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate agronomic characteristics and chemical composition of three genotypes of cactus pear at different locations of a tropical semiarid region classified as non-suitable for cactus pear cultivation. A completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (3 × 7) (three genotypes of cactus pear [Miúda, Baiana (Nopalea cochenillifera) and Orelha de Efefante Mexicana - OEM (Opuntia stricta)] and seven locations) was used. The climatic conditions characterized an environment that restricts the growth of cactus pear genotypes, mainly due to the air relative humidity values. All morphological characteristics of the cactus pear genotypes were influenced by the interaction genotype x location, with higher expression of the characteristics on the different genotypes under hot semi-arid climate and tropical wet and dry climate. An effect of the interaction genotype x location was observed (p < 0.05) on water use efficiency, water accumulation and carrying capacity, where the highest values were observed for genotype Baiana at location 1. Also, there was influence of the interaction genotype x location over the chemical composition of the cactus pear. The cultivation of cactus pear is recommended under restricted climatic conditions in semi-arid tropical regions, especially the genotype Baiana, based on growth factors, biomass production and chemical composition.
Subject(s)
Agriculture/methods , Opuntia/growth & development , Opuntia/genetics , Plant Extracts/analysis , Biomass , Brazil , Desert Climate , Genotype , Opuntia/chemistryABSTRACT
Crambe (Crambe abyssinica H.), a promising species in the production of biodiesel, has low planting cost, high oil content and easy extraction, besides being an alternative for the crop rotation system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen fertilization and line spacing on the production components and yield of the crambe crop under semi-arid conditions. The study was conducted under field conditions in the experimental area of the National Semi-Arid Institute-INSA, located in the city of Campina Grande-PB. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design in 4 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of four nitrogen doses (30, 60, 90, 120 kg ha-1) with two spacings between planting lines (0.20 and 0.40 meters) with three replications, totaling 24 experimental plots. The evaluated parameters were: number of siliques per plant, dry weight of shoots, number of branches (primary and secondary), primary stem length, number of siliques per stem, mass of 1000 grains and productivity. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, in which the nitrogen doses (quantitative factor) were compared by regression analysis. The different spacings were compared by means of a t-test at the 0.05 probability level by using statistical software SISVAR version 5.2. Nitrogen fertilization at 0.40 m spacing between the planting lines led to the best results for the production components, and the highest productivity was obtained at 0.20 m spacing of with nitrogen fertilization of 120 kg ha-1.
O crambe (Crambeabyssinica H.), espécie promissora na produção de biodiesel, apresenta baixo custo de plantio, elevado teor de óleo e de fácil extração, além de ser alternativa para o sistema de rotação de culturas. Mediante a necessidade de conhecimento para ampliação do cultivo dessa espécie, este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da adubação nitrogenada e espaçamento entre linhas no cultivo nos componentes de produção e na produtividade da cultura do crambe em condições semiáridas. O estudo foi conduzido em condições de campo na área experimental pertencente ao Instituto Nacional do Semiárido-INSA, situado no município de Campina Grande-PB. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 4 x 2, sendo constituído de quatro doses de nitrogênio (30; 60; 90; 120 kg ha-1) com dois espaçamentos entre linhas de plantio (0,20 e 0,40 metros) e com três repetições, totalizando 24 parcelas experimentais. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: número de síliquas por planta, massa seca da parte aérea, número de ramificações (primárias e secundárias), comprimento de haste primária, número de silíquas por haste, massa de 1000 grãos e produtividade. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, em que as doses de nitrogênio (fator quantitativo) foram comparadas por análise de regressão. Os diferentes espaçamentos foram comparados por meio de comparação de médias, pelo teste t, ao nível de 0,05 de probabilidade utilizando-se software estatístico SISVAR versão 5.2. A adubação nitrogenada sob espaçamento de 0,40 m, entre as linhas de plantio, proporcionou os melhores resultados quanto aos componentes de produção, e a maior produtividade foi obtida no espaçamento referente a 0,20 m com a adubação nitrogenada de 120 kg ha-1.
Subject(s)
Crop Production , Crambe Plant , Manure , NitrogenABSTRACT
Recent research shows variations in pollen chemical constituents and, consequently, in their therapeutic properties. Mono and multifloral bee pollen extracts were investigated for antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity properties, phenolic compounds and fatty acid composition. Generally, Eucalyptus spp. and multifloral extracts exhibited potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, lipoxygenase, lipase and hyaluronidase. On the other hand, Miconia spp. demonstrated higher antihemolytic activity. Cocos nucifera and Miconia spp. extracts exhibited important antioxidant properties in the different assays (ABTS, DPPH, ß-carotene/linoleic acid and reducing power). Moreover, these extracts had greater amounts of total phenols and flavonoids in comparison to others. The increase in antioxidant activity (decrease in EC50 values) was accompanied by an increase in the amount of total phenols in the extracts. The pollen extracts contained linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid as major fatty acids, followed by palmitic acid, and oleic acid. In this study, differences were observed in both chemical constituents and biological activities of the samples related to the geographical and botanical origin of bee pollen.
