Genetic divergence between pumpkin accessions for morphoagronomic characters

The objective of this work was to evaluate the diversity between accessions of Cucurbita moschata from the Northeast of Brazil and preserved at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA) in Mossoró-RN. The experiment was carried out in complete randomized blocks, with two replications and three plants per plot. The treatments consisted of 51 accessions of C. moschata Duch and a commercial cultivar of Cucurbita maximum Duch. After ripening, the fruits were harvested (one fruit per plant) and evaluated for morpho-agronomic descriptors. Univariate and multivariate variance analyzes were performed. From the dissimilarity matrices, accessions were hierarchically grouped by the UPGMA method. The relative contribution of quantitative characters to the divergence was also estimated. There was an effect of accessions (p <0.01 or p <0.05) for all characters in univariate analyzes, indicating that there is heterogeneity between the accessions evaluated. Considering the quantitative descriptors, the accessions formed eight groups and for the qualitative six groups. When considering the two sets of descriptors, the accessions were distributed in eight groups but presenting a greater distribution of accessions. The descriptors that most contributed to the discrimination of accessions were the firmness of the pulp and the length of the fruit.

Efficiency of nitrogen use by sesame genotypes under brazilian semi-arid conditions

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and rate applications can influence the performance of sesame, and when applied in excess can cause nitrogen loss in the environment, and consequently make the cost of production more costly to the producer. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of nitrogen use by different cultivars of irrigated sesame seeds under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the northeastern semi-arid region in two harvests. The experiments were carried out from February to May (1st harvest) and from July to October (2nd harvest) in 2016. The treatments were arranged in a split plot scheme, in which the plots were the five nitrogen doses (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha-1), and in the subplots, the four sesame genotypes (CNPA G2, CNPA G3, CNPA G4 and BRS Seda), the design was in randomized complete blocks with four replications. The nitrogen use efficiency assessments evaluated were: agronomic efficiency (AE), physiological efficiency (PE), agrophysiological efficiency (APE), recovery efficiency (RE) and efficiency of use (EU). The rate that provided the greatest efficiency of use was 30 kg ha-1 of N applied. The cultivar BRS Seda had greater efficiency of use in relation to the other cultivars studied. The crop that had better efficiency of use was the 2nd agricultural harvest.

Higher infection probability of haemosporidian parasites in Blue-black Grassquits (Volatinia jacarina) inhabiting native vegetation across Brazil.

Human induced changes on landscape can alter the biotic and abiotic factors that influence the transmission of vector-borne parasites. To examine how infection rates of vector-transmitted parasites respond to changes on natural landscapes, we captured 330 Blue-black Grassquits (Volatinia jacarina) in Brazilian biomes and assessed the prevalence and diversity of avian haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) across avian host populations inhabiting environment under different disturbance and climatic conditions. Overall prevalence in Blue-black Grassquits was low (11%) and infection rates exhibited considerable spatial variation, ranging from zero to 39%. Based on genetic divergence of cytochrome b gene, we found two lineages of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) and 10 of Plasmodium. We showed that Blue-black Grassquit populations inhabiting sites with higher proportion of native vegetation cover were more infected across Brazil. Other landscape metrics (number of water bodies and distance to urban areas) and climatic condition (temperature and precipitation) known to influence vector activity and promote avian malaria transmission did not explain infection probability in Blue-black Grassquit populations. Moreover, breeding season did not explain prevalence across avian host populations. Our findings suggest that avian haemosporidian prevalence and diversity in Blue-black Grassquit populations are determined by recent anthropogenic changes in vegetation cover that may alter microclimate, thus influencing vector activity and parasite transmission.

Agro-economic profitability of sweet potato cultivars as a function of the harvest age and times of cultivation in the semi-arid / Rentabilidade de cultivares de batata-doce em função da idade de colheita e épocas de cultivo no semiárido

The objective of this work was to evaluate the profitability of sweet potato cultivars, harvested at different ages and cultivated in different periods (rainy and dry) in the municipality of Mossoró, semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications and treatments arranged in split plots scheme. The plots were composed of three sweet potato cultivars (ESAM 1, Paraná and Mother of Family) and the subplots for five harvest ages (90 , 105, 120, 135 and 150 days after transplanting - DAT). Productivity of commercial roots and production costs was evaluated, as well as the economic indicators: gross income, net income, rate of return and profit margin. Independently of the growing periods, the productivity of commercial roots increased with the later harvest of the crop and differentiated the cultivars. Production costs averaged R$ 6,087.97 ha-1 in the rainy season and R$ 6,181.42 ha-1 in the dry period. Labor expenditures were the most impacting of total expenditures. The cultivars ESAM 1 and Paraná presented higher productivities of commercial roots and profitability when cultivated in the rainy season, while Paraná cultivar was superior to the other cultivars in the crop in the dry season. In both growing periods, the harvest age of 150 DAT promoted higher productivities of commercial roots and profitability to sweet potato production.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a rentabilidade de cultivares de batata-doce, colhidas em diferentes idades e cultivadas em períodos distintos (chuvoso e seco) no município de Mossoró, semiárido do Rio Grande do Norte. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e tratamentos arranjados em parcelas subdivididas, sendo as parcelas formadas por três cultivares de batata-doce (ESAM 1, Paraná e Mãe de Família) e as subparcelas por cinco idades de colheita (90, 105, 120, 135 e 150 dias após o transplantio ­ DAT). Avaliaram-se produtividade de raízes comerciais e custos de produção, assim como os indicadores econômicos: renda bruta, renda líquida, taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade. Independentemente dos períodos de cultivo, a produtividade de raízes comerciais aumentou com a colheita mais tardia da cultura e diferenciou as cultivares. Os custos de produção foram em média da ordem de R$ 6.087,97 ha-1 no período chuvoso e R$ 6.181,42 ha-1 no período seco. As despesas com mão de obra foram as mais impactantes nas despesas totais. As cultivares ESAM 1 e Paraná apresentaram maiores produtividades de raízes comerciais e lucratividades quando cultivadas no período chuvoso, enquanto a Paraná foi superior as demais cultivares no cultivo na época seca. Em ambas as épocas de cultivo, a idade de colheita de 150 DAT promoveu maiores produtividades de raízes comerciais e rentabilidade à produção de batata-doce.

Nutrient uptake in sesame cultivars under cultivation in semiarid conditions / Acúmulo de nutrientes em cultivares de gergelim sob cultivo em condições semiáridas

Sesame is considered the oldest oleaginous seed in use by mankind. It is a culture of high morphophysiological complexity with great variability in growth habit. The accumulation of nutrients in the sesame crop is, in relative terms, proportional to its average productivity. It is a crop that requires the availability of sufficient amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to obtain a desired yield. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the uptake of nutrients for sesame cultivars in two growing seasons conditions semiarid. The experiments were performed in Horta Didatics of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, in Brazil, from November 2014 to February 2015 (Growing Season I); and from April to July 2015 (Growing Season II). The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatments were arranged in a split plot where cultivars (CNPA G2, CNPA G3, and CNPA G4) were placed on the following plots with harvesting dates 21, 35, 49, 63, 77, 91, and 105 days after sowing (DAS) of subplots. The vegetative part of the sesame crop had greater uptake of potassium in Growing Season I (the period from November 2014 to February 2015) and of nitrogen in Growing Season II (the period from April to July 2015) for all the cultivars, whereas in the fruits the greatest uptake was that of nitrogen, independent of growing season. As for the total uptake of nutrients at the end of the cycle, it followed the descending order N > K > P in both growing seasons. The period of greatest demand for nutrients occurred between 77 and 105 DAS. In relation to the cultivars, the CNPA G3 obtained larger uptakes in Growing Season I (the period from November 2014 to February 2015), while the CNPA G4 did so in Growing Season II (theperiod from November 2014 to February 2015).

O gergelim é considerado a semente oleaginosa mais antiga em uso pela humanidade. É uma cultura de alta complexidade morfofisiológica com grande variabilidade no hábito de crescimento. Oacúmulo de nutrientes na cultura do gergelim é, em termos relativos, proporcional a sua produtividade média. É uma cultura que necessita da disponibilidade de quantidades suficientes de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio para obtenção de uma produtividade desejada. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o acúmulo de nutrientes por cultivares de gergelim, em duas épocas de cultivo em condições semáridas. Os experimentos foram realizados na Horta Didática da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, no período de novembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015 (Época de cultivo I) e de abril a julho de 2015 (Época de cultivo II). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados completos, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em parcelas subdivididas onde as cultivares (CNPA G2, CNPA G3 e CNPA G4) ocuparam as parcelas e as épocas de coletas (21, 35, 49, 63, 77, 91 e 105 dias após a semeadura) as subparcelas. A parte vegetativa da cultura do gergelim teve maior acúmulo de potássio na época de cultivo I (período de novembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015) e de nitrogênio na época de cultivo II (período de abril a julho de 2015) para todas as cultivares. Em relação aos frutos a maior acúmulo foi de nitrogênio, independente da época de cultivo. Quanto ao acúmulo total de nutrientes ao final do ciclo, seguiu a ordem decrescente N> K> P em ambas as épocas de cultivo. O período de maior demanda por nutrientes ocorreu entre 77 e 105 DAS. Em relação àscultivares, o CNPA G3 obteve maiores acúmulos na época de cultivo I (período de novembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015), enquanto o CNPA G4 o fez na época de cultivo II (período de novembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015).

Evaluation of physical-chemical and microbiological quality of marketed honey / Avaliação da qualidade físico-química e microbiológica de mel comercializado

Honey is a product naturally produced by bees and, due to its composition, it has a characteristic flavor and high nutritional value. Its use is known since antiquity and each day it conquers new consumer markets. The demand for quality products available for human expenditure reflects the need for better supervision during the production process. The goal for this research was to evaluate the physio-chemical and microbiological quality of 22 honey samples with inspection and informal commerce registers in different cities in Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The following parameters were analyzed: total acidity, pH, insoluble solids, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, Fiehe, Lugol, Lund reactions, and the presence of mold and yeast. As to the physical-chemical characteristics, 54.54% of the samples presented some shortcoming with the parameters established by the legislation. Although the law doesnt demand microbiological analyses, 45.45% of the samples presented mold and yeast.(AU)

O mel é um produto naturalmente produzido por abelhas e, devido a sua composição, possui sabor característico e alto valor nutritivo. Seu uso é relatado desde a antiguidade e, a cada dia ganha novos mercados consumidores. A exigência por produtos de qualidade disponíveis ao consumo humano reflete a necessidade de uma maior fiscalização durante o processo de produção. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a qualidade físico-química e microbiológica de 22 amostras de méis com registro de inspeção e de comércio informal, de diferentes municípios da região Sul do Brasil. Foram analisados os parâmetros: acidez total, pH, hidroximetilfurfural, sólidos insolúveis, atividade diastásica, reações de Fiehe, Lugol, Lund e a presença de bolores e leveduras. Quanto às características físico-químicas, 54,54% das amostras apresentaram alguma inconformidade com os parâmetros estabelecidos pela legislação. Apesar da legislação não fazer exigências quanto à realização de análises microbiológicas, 45,45% das amostras apresentaram a presença de bolor e levedura.(AU)

Evaluation of physical-chemical and microbiological quality of marketed honey / Avaliação da qualidade físico-química e microbiológica de mel comercializado

Honey is a product naturally produced by bees and, due to its composition, it has a characteristic flavor and high nutritional value. Its use is known since antiquity and each day it conquers new consumer markets. The demand for quality products available for human expenditure reflects the need for better supervision during the production process. The goal for this research was to evaluate the physio-chemical and microbiological quality of 22 honey samples with inspection and informal commerce registers in different cities in Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The following parameters were analyzed: total acidity, pH, insoluble solids, diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural, Fiehe, Lugol, Lund reactions, and the presence of mold and yeast. As to the physical-chemical characteristics, 54.54% of the samples presented some shortcoming with the parameters established by the legislation. Although the law doesnt demand microbiological analyses, 45.45% of the samples presented mold and yeast.

O mel é um produto naturalmente produzido por abelhas e, devido a sua composição, possui sabor característico e alto valor nutritivo. Seu uso é relatado desde a antiguidade e, a cada dia ganha novos mercados consumidores. A exigência por produtos de qualidade disponíveis ao consumo humano reflete a necessidade de uma maior fiscalização durante o processo de produção. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a qualidade físico-química e microbiológica de 22 amostras de méis com registro de inspeção e de comércio informal, de diferentes municípios da região Sul do Brasil. Foram analisados os parâmetros: acidez total, pH, hidroximetilfurfural, sólidos insolúveis, atividade diastásica, reações de Fiehe, Lugol, Lund e a presença de bolores e leveduras. Quanto às características físico-químicas, 54,54% das amostras apresentaram alguma inconformidade com os parâmetros estabelecidos pela legislação. Apesar da legislação não fazer exigências quanto à realização de análises microbiológicas, 45,45% das amostras apresentaram a presença de bolor e levedura.