Replacing 30 % chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer increases the fertilizer efficiency, yield and quality of cabbage in intensive open-field production / Substituindo 30% de fertilizante químico por orgânico aumenta a eficiência, o rendimento e a qualidade do repolho na produção intensiva em campo aberto

The combined application of chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer is an effective way to improve soil fertility, crop yield and quality. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to evaluate the yield, quality and fertilizer use efficiency of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) grown under different ratios of organic fertilizer replacing chemical fertilizer at a rate of 225 kg N ha-l in 2019 and 2020. The fertilizer treatments included N0 (non nitrogen fertilizer), CK (only compound fertilizer was applied, N:P:K=15.0 %:6.5 %:12.4 %), T1, T2 and T3 (organic fertilizer replaced 15 %, 30 % and 45 % chemical fertilizer, respectively), and T4 (total nutrient input was reduced by 10 % under T2). Results showed that T2 had the highest marketable yield and fertilizer use efficiency, as well as the best quality. The marketable yield, vitamin C content, soluble sugar content, REN (apparent uptake efficiency of fertilizer N) and AEN (agronomic N use efficiency) of T2 increased by 32.2 %, 14,9 %, 5.5 %, 97. % and 55.6 %, respectively, in contrast, the crude fibers decreased by 34.0 %, compared with CK in the two years. In addition, T4 guaranteed the yield and moderately improved the quality of cabbage, compared with CK. Therefore, we can alternatively apply fertilization according to the purpose of capturing the highest yield or properly declining fertilizer to sustain soil texture and productivity.

A aplicação combinada de fertilizante químico e o orgânico é uma forma eficaz de melhorar a fertilidade do solo, o rendimento e a qualidade da colheita. Neste estudo, um experimento de campo foi conduzido para avaliar o rendimento, a qualidade e a eficiência do uso de fertilizantes em repolho (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.) cultivado sob diferentes proporções de fertilizante orgânico em substituição ao químico a uma taxa de 225 kg N ha-l em 2019 e 2020. Os tratamentos de fertilizantes incluíram N0 (fertilizante sem nitrogênio), CK (apenas fertilizante composto foi aplicado, N: P: K = 15,0%: 6,5%: 12,4%), T1, T2 e T3 (fertilizante orgânico substituído 15%, 30% e 45% de fertilizante químico, respectivamente) e T4 (a entrada total de nutrientes foi reduzida em 10% em T2). Os resultados mostraram que o T2 apresentou o maior rendimento comercial e eficiência no uso de fertilizantes, bem como a melhor qualidade. O rendimento comercializável, teor de vitamina C, teor de açúcar solúvel, REN (eficiência de absorção aparente de fertilizante N) e AEN (eficiência de uso de N agronômico) de T2 aumentaram 32,2%, 14,9%, 5,5%, 97% e 55,6%, respectivamente, em contraste, as fibras brutas diminuíram 34,0%, em comparação com a CK nos dois anos. Além disso, o T4 garantiu o rendimento e melhorou moderadamente a qualidade do repolho, em comparação com o CK. Portanto, podemos alternativamente aplicar fertilização de acordo com o objetivo de obter o maior rendimento ou fertilizante em declínio adequado para sustentar a textura e a produtividade do solo.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Biological Activities of Extracts of Brassica oleracea var. capitata.

In this work, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Brassica oleracea var. capitata extracts obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction are evaluated. The extracts obtained using the best extraction conditions were subjected to different hydrolysis conditions before their use in the biological tests. The crude and hydrolysed extracts were characterized using gas chromatography coupled with a mass detector. The use of ultrasound at 30 °C with 60% (by volume) solvent enabled obtaining a richer extract. All extracts had antioxidant activities against DPPH (13.0-80.0%), superoxide (35.2-63.2%) and peroxyl (89.3-99.5%) radicals, but the use of hydrolysed extracts considerably improved the antioxidant activities. Antimicrobial activities only of the hydrolysed extracts of Brassica oleracea var. capitata were detected. It was confirmed that antioxidant activity of vegetable extracts can be considerably increased when hydrolysis is applied as a pretreatment to their extraction.

Supercritical CO2 extraction, chemical characterisation and antioxidant potential of Brassica oleracea var capitata against HO·, O2(·-) and ROO·.

In this work were extracted bioactive compounds from Brassica oleracea var capitata using supercritical CO2 and evaluated the antioxidant potential of the extracts. Five extractions were accomplished to investigate the influence of pressure (10-25 MPa) and temperature (20-60 °C) in the extraction yield, chemical composition and antioxidant potential towards peroxyl, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. The highest extraction yield was obtained at 60 °C and 25 MPa, which was 0.47 wt% (run 2). In the characterisation of the extracts obtained was possible the identification of sulforaphane and iberin nitrile that present known biological properties. The extracts of all runs presented antioxidant activities towards the three radicals, but the highest activities for all radicals were using the extracts obtained in the run 2. The use of supercritical CO2 extraction to obtain bioactive compounds of B. oleracea var capitata showed to be a promising alternative to conventional extraction methods, since allowed the extraction of compounds with scientific and industrial interest.

Nitrogen contributions of legume roots to cabbage nutrition

The effects of roots are generally not considered in studies assessing crop responses to green manure. However, measuring such effects can contribute to a better understanding of crop rotation. In two experiments, we evaluated the content of legume-N in crop tissue and the fertilizer value of the roots and shoots of two legume species. Roots, shoots, or whole plants of the legumes sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea) and jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis) were cropped as green manure to supply nitrogen to cabbage crops (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). The principle of the A-value technique was applied to estimate the fertilizer value of each plant part. In a pot experiment, both the content of legume-N in cabbage and the fertilizer value of the whole plant was higher than the shoots, which was in turn higher than that of the roots. In field condition, roots had a decreasing effect on the N content of cabbage plants. Growing cabbage on legume root residue resulted in an increased absorption of 15N-urea, resulting in negative values for legume-N content: -13.59 g kg-1 and -3.51 g kg-1 for sunhemp and jack beans, respectively. Suggesting both low N supply by roots and N immobilization in soil organic matter or microbial biomass. Future research should focus on estimating the net N acquisition by plants from root residues under field conditions, where rooting patterns and biomass distribution differ from those in pot experiments, therefore giving a more realistic quantitative estimate.

Nitrogen contributions of legume roots to cabbage nutrition

The effects of roots are generally not considered in studies assessing crop responses to green manure. However, measuring such effects can contribute to a better understanding of crop rotation. In two experiments, we evaluated the content of legume-N in crop tissue and the fertilizer value of the roots and shoots of two legume species. Roots, shoots, or whole plants of the legumes sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea) and jack beans (Canavalia ensiformis) were cropped as green manure to supply nitrogen to cabbage crops (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). The principle of the A-value technique was applied to estimate the fertilizer value of each plant part. In a pot experiment, both the content of legume-N in cabbage and the fertilizer value of the whole plant was higher than the shoots, which was in turn higher than that of the roots. In field condition, roots had a decreasing effect on the N content of cabbage plants. Growing cabbage on legume root residue resulted in an increased absorption of 15N-urea, resulting in negative values for legume-N content: -13.59 g kg-1 and -3.51 g kg-1 for sunhemp and jack beans, respectively. Suggesting both low N supply by roots and N immobilization in soil organic matter or microbial biomass. Future research should focus on estimating the net N acquisition by plants from root residues under field conditions, where rooting patterns and biomass distribution differ from those in pot experiments, therefore giving a more realistic quantitative estimate.

Mortality of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) by parasitoids in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina

Mortality of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) by parasitoids in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) larvae cause severe economic damage on cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. variety capitata (Brassicaceae), in the horticultural fields in the Province of Santa Fe, Argentina. Overuse of broad spectrum insecticides affects the action of natural enemies of this insect on cabbage. The objectives of this work were to identify the parasitoids of P. xylostella and to determine their influence on larva and pupa mortality. Weekly collections of larvae and pupae were randomly conducted in cabbage crops during spring 2006 and 2007. The immature forms collected were classified according to their developmental stage: L1 and L2 (Ls = small larvae), L3 (Lm = medium larvae), L4 (Ll = large larvae), pre-pupae and pupae (P). Each individual was observed daily in the laboratory until the adult pest or parasitoid emergence. We identified parasitoids, the number of instar and the percentage of mortality of P. xylostella for each species of parasitoid. Parasitoids recorded were: Diadegma insulare (Cresson, 1875) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) and an unidentified species of Chalcididae (Hymenoptera). Besides parasitoids, an unidentified entomopathogenic fungus was also recorded in 2006 and 2007. In 2006, the most successful parasitoids were D. insulare and O. sokolowskii, while in 2007 only D. insulare exerted a satisfactory control and it attacked the early instars of the pest.

Mortalidade de Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) por parasitóides na Província de Santa Fé, Argentina. Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera, Plutellidae) causa danos econômicos severos em repolho, Brassica oleracea variedade capitata L. (Brassicaceae), na área de horticultura localizada na Província de Santa Fé, Argentina. O uso excessivo de inseticidas de largo espectro afeta a ação dos inimigos naturais de P. xylostella em repolho. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar os parasitóides de P. xylostella e determinar sua influência na mortalidade de larvas e pupas em Santa Fé, Argentina. Coletas semanais de larvas e pupas em culturas de repolho foram realizadas aleatoriamente na área durante a primavera de 2006 e 2007, registradas pelo estágio de desenvolvimento: L1 e L2 (Ls = larvas pequenas), (Lm = larvas médias) L3, L4 (Ll = larvas grandes) pré-pupa e pupa (P). Cada indivíduo foi observado diariamente no laboratório até a emergência dos adultos da praga ou dos parasitóides. Foram identificadas as espécies de parasitóides o número de instars e a porcentagem de mortalidade. Os parasitóides registrados foram: Diadegma insulare (Cresson, 1875) (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae), Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov, 1912) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) e uma espécie não identificada pertencente à família Chalcididae. Além dos parasitóides, um fungo entomopatogênico não identificado foi registrado. Em 2006, os parasitóides mais bem sucedidos foram D. insulare e O. Sokolowskii; enquanto que em 2007 apenas D. insulare exerceu um controle satisfatório, atacando os instares iniciais da praga.

Genetic diversity of Brassica oleracea var. capitata gene bank accessions assessed by AFLP

The genetic diversity of 20 cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata, including sub.var. alba and rubra) cultivars and landraces from the Gene bank of Crop Research Institute was estimated using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker technology. Two cultivars of Brassica pekinensis (syn. Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) were used as outliers in the study. Thirty AFLP primer combinations produced a total of 1084 fragments. A total of 806 fragments, 364 (45 percent) of them polymorphic, were found across 20 Brassica oleracea var. capitata accessions. The accessions were clustered into two main groups. Special subgroups, reflecting place of origin, were observed within these groups. Ten selective primer pairs were found to be most informative because each of these uniquely identified all of the accessions used. Furthermore, two accessions of Brassica pekinensis were clearly differentiated from the Brassica oleracea var. capitata accessions. AFLP is an efficient tool for determination of genetic diversity of cabbage gene bank accessions.

Custo de produção e rentabilidade das culturas de alface, rabanete, rúcula e repolho em cultivo solteiro e consorciadas com pimentão / Production cost and profitability of lettuce, radish, arugula and cabbage sole crop and intercropped with sweet pepper

Realizou-se, o trabalho na UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP, com o objetivo de avaliar a rentabilidade das culturas de alface, rabanete, rúcula e repolho, em cultivo solteiro e consorciadas com pimentão. A determinação dos custos de produção das culturas em cultivo solteiro e em consórcio foi realizada com base na metodologia do custo operacional total (COT), com valores referentes a março de 2005. Para o cálculo da receita bruta, considerou-se o preço do setor atacadista, CEAGESP, no mês de março de 2005. Os COT das culturas de repolho, rúcula, alface e rabanete, quando consorciadas com pimentão, tiveram redução de 34,0 por cento, 24,7 por cento, 21,3 por cento e 20,8 por cento em relação aos seus respectivos cultivos solteiros. As culturas de alface e rabanete consorciadas com pimentão apresentaram aumento na receita líquida em 49,6 por cento e 13,9 por cento, respectivamente, quando comparadas com seus cultivos solteiros. A maior rentabilidade foi obtida em consórcio de pimentão com alface. A taxa de retorno e índice de lucratividade dos consórcios foram superiores aos observados nas monoculturas.

This work was carried out at UNESP, in Jaboticabal, SP, with the aim of evaluating the production cost and profitability of lettuce, radish, arugula and cabbage sole crop and intercropped with sweet pepper. The determination of the production cost was accomplished with base on the methodology of the total operational cost (TOC), in March of 2005. For the calculation of the gross revenue, the price of the wholesale sector, CEAGESP, applied in March 2005, was considered,. The TOC of the cultures cabbage, arugula, lettuce and radish when intercropped with sweet pepper had a reduction of 34.0 percent, 24.7 percent, 21.3 percent and 20.8 percent, when compared to their respective single cultivation. The cultures of lettuce and radish intercropped with sweet pepper had net revenue increase of 49.6 percent and 13.9 percent, respectively, when compared to their single cultivation. The largest profitability was obtained when sweet pepper was intercropped with lettuce. The return rate and the profitability index of the intercropping were higher than those of the single cultivation.

Produção da capuchinha em cultivo solteiro e consorciado com os repolhos verde e roxo sob dois arranjos de plantas / Yield of nasturtium in monocrop and intercropped with 'green' and 'purple' cabbage under two arrangements of plants

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, estudar a produção de flores da capuchinha e das " cabeças" do repolho, cultivadas como culturas solteiras e consorciadas. Foi estudada a capuchinha 'Jewel' (Ca), em cultivo solteiro e consorciado com os repolhos de folhas verdes 'Sooshu' (RV) ou roxas 'Red Extra Early' (RR), sob duas (2) ou três (3) fileiras de plantas no canteiro. Os dez tratamentos resultantes (Ca2, Ca3, RV2, RV3, RR2, RR3, Ca2RV3, Ca3RV2, Ca2RR3, Ca3RR2) foram arranjados no delineamento experimental blocos casualizados, com três repetições. As colheitas das flores da capuchinha foram efetuadas entre 30 e 155 dias após o transplante (DAT) e as das " cabeças" dos repolhos, entre 102 e 140 DAT. O maior número de flores e a maior massa fresca das flores da capuchinha foi em cultivo solteiro (12.022.220 ha-1 e 8,20 t ha-1, respectivamente). No consórcio, os maiores valores foram com o repolho roxo (7.555.560 ha-1 e 5,04 t ha-1, respectivamente). As produções médias de massas fresca das " cabeças" do repolho com folhas verdes em cultivo solteiro e consorciado foram de 33,78 e 35,76 t ha-1 e do repolho roxo foram de 23,19 e 19,50 t ha-1, respectivamente. O cálculo da razão de área equivalente foi de 1,56 (Ca2RV3), 1,33 (Ca3RV2), 1,30 (Ca2RR3) e 1,45 (Ca3RR2), indicando ser viável cultivar em consórcio. Considerando a renda bruta, pode-se concluir que o consórcio da capuchinha e do repolho foi viável para o produtor de repolho, devendo optar-se pelo arranjo Ca2RV3. O produtor de capuchinha deve optar pelo cultivo solteiro, com duas fileiras no canteiro.

This work has as aim to study yield of nasturtium flowers and of cabbage 'heads' that were cultivated as monocrops and intercrops. 'Jewel' nasturtium (Ca) was studied in monocrop and intercropped with 'Sooshu' green leaves (RV) or 'Red Extra Early' purple leaves (RR) cabbages, under two (2) or three (3) rows of plants per plot. The ten resultant treatments (Ca2, Ca3, RV2, RV3, RR2, RR3, Ca2RV3, Ca3RV2, Ca2RR3, Ca3RR2) were arranged in a randomized block experimental outline, with three replications. Harvests of nasturtium flowers were between 30 and 155 days after transplant (DAT) and the ones of cabbages between 102 and 140 DAT. The highest number and the greatest fresh mass of nasturtium flowers (12,022,220 ha-1 and 8.20 t ha-1, respectively) were obtained from monocrop system. For intercropping, the highest values were with purple cabbage (7,555,560 ha-1 and 5.04 t ha-1, respectively. Average yields of fresh mass of cabbage plants of green leaves in monocrop system and intercropped were of 33.78 and 35.76 t ha-1 and of plants with purple leaves were of 23.19 and 19.50 t ha-1, respectively. Land Equivalent Ratios were 1.56 (Ca2RV3), 1.33 (Ca3RV2), 1.30 (Ca2RR3) and 1.45 (Ca3RR2), what indicates that is viable to cultivate in monocrop system. Considering the gross income one may conclude that the intercrop of nasturtium and cabbage was viable for cabbage producer, who must opt for the Ca3RR2 arrangement. For nasturtium producer, the monocrop system with two rows per plot was the best.