Agronomic biofortification increases concentrations of zinc and storage proteins in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grains.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for plants and mammals and its deficiency affects billions of people worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil Zn fertilization and foliar Zn sprays in different phenological stages of the plant on the grain nutritional quality of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Field experiments were carried out in two consecutive harvest years under no-till system in an Oxisol. Two commercial common bean cultivars were used: BRS Esteio (black bean) and IPR Campos Gerais (Carioca bean). Total concentration of Zn, amino acids, sucrose, total sugars and storage proteins (albumin, globulin, glutelin and prolamin) in grains were evaluated. The cultivar BRS Esteio exhibited higher grain enrichment with Zn than the cultivar IPR Campos Gerais, showing genotypic variation. Single foliar Zn spray of 600 g ha-1 at the initial grain filling stage was shown to be the best way to improve the grain Zn concentration, without affecting grain yield. Foliar Zn spray at the final stage of grain filling favored the increase of Zn concentration in the pods over the Zn concentration in the grains. Agronomic biofortification of bean grains with Zn was more efficient with foliar Zn spraying than with the soil Zn fertilization, however, the soil Zn application favored the increase of concentrations of total amino acids and storage proteins (albumin, globulin and glutelin) in the grains. Agronomic biofortification proved to be efficient in increasing concentrations of Zn and storage proteins in common bean grains.

Organic production of red wine grapes under plastic cover in subtropical region of Brazil / Produção orgânica de uvas para vinho tinto sob cobertura plástica em região subtropical do Brasil

A trial was carried out aiming to evaluate the development and yield of red wine grapevines under plastic cover in an organic production system in Guarapuava, the Central-Southern region of Paraná State, Brazil. The experimental design was in a randomized blocks, in a 5x2 factorial arrangement (cultivars x rootstocks), with five red wine vine cultivars (Merlot, Malbec, Carbenet Sauvignon, Ives and Early Isabella) and two rootstocks (Paulsen 1103 e VR 043-43). The grafted grapevines were planted in September of 2005 and the evaluations carried out for the three first productive cycles (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009). The following variables were evaluated: phenological growth stages, number of clusters, average cluster weight, total yield, total soluble solids content and fresh weight of pruning material. The cultivation of wine grapevines in an organic system under plastic cover demonstrated viability, inhibiting the incidence of diseases and reducing the needs of control. The most limiting factor was the damage caused by wasps and bees that decreased cluster harvest. Despite this problem, between tested grapevine cultivars, the Early Isabella was the most productive in all years, while Malbec was also outstanding in the first cycle. VR 043-43 hybrid could be a suitable rootstock for red wine production in areas infested by 'Perola da Terra' scale insects (Eurhizococcus brasiliensis).

Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento e produtividade de uvas para vinho tinto sob cobertura plástica, em sistema orgânico, em Guarapuava, região centro-sul do estado do Paraná, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5x2 (cultivares x porta-enxertos), com cinco cultivares de vinho tinto (Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordô e Isabel Precoce) e dois porta-enxertos (Paulsen 1103e VR 043-43). As videiras enxertadas foram plantadas em setembro de 2005 e as avaliações foram conduzidas nos três primeiros ciclos produtivos (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2009/2009). Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: estádios fenológicos, número de cachos, massa média dos cachos, produtividade, teor de sólidos solúveis totais e massa fresca do material de poda. O cultivo de videiras para vinificação em sistema orgânico sob cobertura plástica demonstrou ser viável, inibindo a incidência de doenças e reduzindo a necessidade de controle. O fator mais limitante foi o ataque de vespas e abelhas que severamente reduziram a colheita de cachos. Apesar desse problema, entre as cultivares de videira testadas, a Isabel Precoce foi a mais produtiva em todos os anos, enquanto a 'Malbec' foi também superior no primeiro ciclo. O híbrido 'VR 043-43' poderia ser um porta-enxerto adequado para a produção de uvas para vinho tinto em áreas infestadas com pérola-da-terra (Eurhizococcus brasiliensis).

Morphological alterations of corn (Zea mays L.) plants in response to aluminum toxicity in the soil

The objective of the experiment was to identify the morphological alterations in corn genotypes in response to aluminum toxicity in the soil. A complete randomized block design with five replications was used. The a factorial scheme was composed of two corn genotypes (C525M - tolerant, and HS701B - sensitive) and two neutralization levels (0 percent and 100 percent of aluminum saturation). The evaluations were performed at six leaf and 10-11 leaf growth stages, emergence of the "stigma-style", and the physiological maturity. The presence of toxic aluminum didnÆt significantly reduce diameter and height of stem, leaf area, dry matter of aerial parts, total dry matter and yield. Stem diameter, leaf area, dry matter of root, dry matter of aerial parts, total dry matter and yield did not allow the separation of genotypes in relation to aluminum toxicity in the soil.

O presente experimento teve por objetivo de identificar as alterações morfológicos nos genótipos de milho em resposta a toxicidade do alumínio a campo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados com cinco repetições. O arranjo experimental foi um fatorial 2 x 2, dois genótipos de milho (C525M - tolerante e HS701B - sensível) e dois níveis de neutralização (0 por cento e 100 por cento de saturação de alumínio). As avaliações foram realizadas nos estádios de desenvolvimento de 6 folhas e 10-11 folhas, emergência do "estilo-estigma" e maturidade fisiológica das plantas de milho. A presença do alumínio tóxico não reduziu significativamente o diâmetro e a altura do colmo, área foliar, matéria seca de parte aérea, matéria seca total e produção. O diâmetro do colmo, área foliar, matéria seca de raiz, matéria seca de parte aérea, matéria seca total e produção são características que não podem ser empregadas para diferenciar genótipos de milho com relação a presença de alumínio tóxico no solo.