Artificial neural network approach for predicting the sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) leaf area: A non-destructive and accurate method.

The estimative of the leaf area using a nondestructive method is paramount for successive evaluations in the same plant with precision and speed, not requiring high-cost equipment. Thus, the objective of this work was to construct models to estimate leaf area using artificial neural network models (ANN) and regression and to compare which model is the most effective model for predicting leaf area in sesame culture. A total of 11,000 leaves of four sesame cultivars were collected. Then, the length (L) and leaf width (W), and the actual leaf area (LA) were quantified. For the ANN model, the parameters of the length and width of the leaf were used as input variables of the network, with hidden layers and leaf area as the desired output parameter. For the linear regression models, leaf dimensions were considered independent variables, and the actual leaf area was the dependent variable. The criteria for choosing the best models were: the lowest root of the mean squared error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and absolute mean percentage error (MAPE), and higher coefficients of determination (R2). Among the linear regression models, the equation yˆ=0.515+0.584*LW was considered the most indicated to estimate the leaf area of the sesame. In modeling with ANNs, the best results were found for model 2-3-1, with two input variables (L and W), three hidden variables, and an output variable (LA). The ANN model was more accurate than the regression models, recording the lowest errors and higher R2 in the training phase (RMSE: 0.0040; MAE: 0.0027; MAPE: 0.0587; and R2: 0.9834) and in the test phase (RMSE: 0.0106; MAE: 0.0029; MAPE: 0.0611; and R2: 0.9828). Thus, the ANN method is the most indicated and accurate for predicting the leaf area of the sesame.

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.

Sesame phyllody associated with a 16SrI-B phytoplasma, a Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris-related strain, in Paraguay

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) plants exhibiting symptoms of phyllody disease were observed in commercial fields in Paraguay. The symptoms were indicative of infection by phytoplasmas. Thus, the present study investigated the association between affected plants and phytoplasma, which was later analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic methods. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants and used in nested PCR assays using primers R16SN910601/R16SN011119 and R16F2n/16R2. Amplified products of 1.2 Kb revealed the presence of phytoplasma in all diseased plants, and electron microscopy confirmed the presence of phytoplasmas within phloem vessels. Nucleotide sequences from sesame phytoplasma shared 99 % similarity with phytoplasmas belonging to group 16SrI. Computer-simulated RFLP indicated that the detected phytoplasma is representative of the 16SrI-B, therefore, a Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris-related strain. Phylogenetic analysis was in agreement with virtual RFLP. Our findings expand the current knowledge regarding distribution of representatives of the aster yellows group in a new agroecosystem and implicate sesame as a new host of 16SrI-B phytoplasma in Latin America.

Sesame phyllody associated with a 16SrI-B phytoplasma, a Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris-related strain, in Paraguay

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) plants exhibiting symptoms of phyllody disease were observed in commercial fields in Paraguay. The symptoms were indicative of infection by phytoplasmas. Thus, the present study investigated the association between affected plants and phytoplasma, which was later analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic methods. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic and asymptomatic plants and used in nested PCR assays using primers R16SN910601/R16SN011119 and R16F2n/16R2. Amplified products of 1.2 Kb revealed the presence of phytoplasma in all diseased plants, and electron microscopy confirmed the presence of phytoplasmas within phloem vessels. Nucleotide sequences from sesame phytoplasma shared 99 % similarity with phytoplasmas belonging to group 16SrI. Computer-simulated RFLP indicated that the detected phytoplasma is representative of the 16SrI-B, therefore, a Candidatus Phytoplasma asteris-related strain. Phylogenetic analysis was in agreement with virtual RFLP. Our findings expand the current knowledge regarding distribution of representatives of the aster yellows group in a new agroecosystem and implicate sesame as a new host of 16SrI-B phytoplasma in Latin America.(AU)

NPK and sodium content in sesame under salt stress and nitrate/ammonium fertilization / Teores de NPK e sódio no gergelim sob estresse salino e adubação com nitrato/amônio

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of saline water irrigation and fertilization with different nitrate/ammonium proportions on the contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K+) and sodium (Na+) and Na+/K+ ratio in the sesame cv. CNPA G3, through an experiment conducted in drainage lysimeters under greenhouse conditions, in eutrophic Regolithic Neosol with sandy loam texture, in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. Treatments were distributed in randomized blocks, in 5 x 5 factorial scheme, with three replicates, relative to five levels of irrigation water salinity - ECw (0.6; 1.2; 1.8; 2.4 and 3.0 dS m-1) and five nitrate/ammonium proportions - NAP (200:0,150:50, 100:100, 50:150, 0:200 mg kg-1 of NO3 --N/NH4+-N). Increasing ECw levels caused increment in Na+ contents and reduction in N, P and K+ contents in leaf and stem tissues of the sesame cv. CNPA G3. The increase in the Na+/ K+ ratio in leaves and stem of sesame under irrigation with ECw water up to 3.0 dS m-1 can be considered as a mechanism of tolerance to salt stress. There was interaction between the factors (ECw x NAP) for the N content in the leaf tissues, and its highest accumulation was obtained with ECw of 0.6 dS m-1 and NO3 --N/NH4 +-N proportion of 200:0 mg kg-1.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar os efeitos da irrigação com águas salinas e adubação com diferentes proporções de nitrato e amônio sobre os teores de NPK, sódio e relação Na/K no gergelim cv. CNPA G3, em experimento conduzido em lisímetros de drenagem sob condições de casa de vegetação, no Neossolo Regolítico Eutrófico, textura franco-arenosa, no município de Campina Grande, PB. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, com três repetições, referentes a cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação ­ CEa (0,6; 1,2; 1,8; 2,4 e 3,0 dS m-1) e cinco proporções de nitrato e de amônio - PNA (200:0, 150:50, 100:100, 50:150, 0:200 mg kg-1 de N-NO3-/N-NH4+). Níveis crescentes de CEa promoveu aumento nos teores de Na+ e diminuição nos teores de N P K nos tecidos foliares e caulinar do gergelim cv. CNPA G3; o aumento na relação Na+/K+ nas folhas e caule do gergelim sob irrigação com água de CEa até 3.0 dS m-1 pode ser considerado como mecanismo de tolerância ao estresse salino; houve interação entre os fatores (CEa x PNA) para teor de nitrogênio nos tecidos das folhas, sendo o maior acúmulo obtido com CEa de 0,6 dSm-1 e proporções de 200:0 mg kg-1 de N-NO3- e N-NH4+.

Physiological indices and production of sesame under salt stress and nitrate/ammonium proportions / Índices fisiológicos e produção do gergelim sob estresse salino e proporções de nitrato e amônio

In semi-arid regions, the occurrence of water with high concentration of salts is common, which compromises the growth and consequently the production of crops. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the gas exchanges and production of sesame, cv. CNPA G3, irrigated with saline water and fertilized with different proportions of nitrate and ammonium, in an experiment conducted using lysimeters in a greenhouse in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil. The treatments were arranged in randomized blocks and analyzed in a 5 x 5 factorial scheme, with three replicates, relative to five levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water ­ ECw (0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 dS m-1) and five proportions of nitrate/ammonium - NO3 -/NH4 + (200/0, 150/50, 100/100, 50/150 and 0/200 mg of N kg-1 of soil). Irrigation with water of salinity level higher than 0.6 dS m-1 promoted negative effect on gas exchanges and production components of the sesame cv. CNPA G3. Fertilization with N exclusively in the form of NH4 + promoted increment in CO2 concentration and reduction in its assimilation rate and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency. The highest rate of CO2 assimilation, transpiration and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency were obtained when the plants were irrigated with water of 0.6 dS m-1 and fertilization with 200/0 of NO3 -/NH4 +. Increasing levels of water salinity promoted a decrease in the total seed mass, regardless of the proportion of NO3 -/NH4 +. The sesame cv. CNPA G3 is classified as sensitive to salt stress from the electrical conductivity of water of 0.6 dS m-1.

Nas regiões semiáridas é comum a ocorrência de águas com elevada concentração de sais que comprometem o crescimento e consequentemente a produção das culturas. Deste modo, objetivou-se avaliar as trocas gasosas e a produção do gergelim cv. CNPA G3 irrigado com águas salinas e adubado com diferentes proporções de nitrato e amônio em um ensaio conduzido em lisímetros dispostos em casa de vegetação no município de Campina Grande, PB. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso e analisados em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, com três repetições, relativos a cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação ­ CEa (0,6; 1,2; 1,8; 2,4 e 3,0 dS m-1) e cinco proporções de nitrato e amônio - NO3 -/NH4 + (200/0; 150/50; 100/100; 50/150 e 0/200 mg de N kg-1 de solo). A irrigação com água de salinidade superior a 0,6 dS m-1 promoveu efeito negativo sobre as trocas gasosas e os componentes de produção do gergelim cv CNPA G3. A adubação com N exclusivamente na forma de NH4 + proporcionou incremento na concentração de CO2 e redução na taxa de assimilação de CO2, eficiência instantânea de carboxilação. A maior taxa de assimilação de CO2, transpiração e eficiência instantânea de carboxilação foram obtidas quando as plantas foram irrigadas com água de 0,6 dS m-1 e adubação com 200/0 de NO3 -/ NH4 +. Níveis crescentes de salinidade da água promoveram diminuição na massa total de sementes, independente da proporção de NO3 - e NH4 +. O gergelim cv. CNPA G3 foi classificado como sensível ao estresse salino, a partir da condutividade elétrica da água de 0,6 dS m-1.

Physiological performance of sesame seeds under the water stress at different temperatures / Desempenho fisiológico de sementes de gergelim submetidas a estresse hídrico em diferentes temperaturas

O gergelim (Sesamum indicum L.) tem grande potencial econômico, devido às possibilidades de exploração tanto no mercado nacional como internacional, o qual pode ser cultivado em segunda época ou safrinha quando está sujeito a condições climáticas menos favoráveis durante a semeadura e emergência, como o déficit hídrico. Diante disso objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do estresse hídrico induzido por soluções de polietileno glicol (PEG 6000) em diferentes temperaturas no desempenho fisiológico de sementes de gergelim. No trabalho utilizaram-se soluções de PEG 6000 com diferentes potenciais osmóticos (0,0 controle) e (-0,2; 0,4; 0,6 e 0,8; 1,0 1,2 e 1,4 MPa) nas temperaturas de 25, 30 e 35 C. Na determinação do efeito dos tratamentos avaliou-se a germinação e o vigor (primeira contagem, comprimento da raiz primária e parte aérea), em delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. O desempenho fisiológico das sementes de gergelim é afetado pelo estresse hídrico, com reduções significativas na germinação e no vigor, sendo que a temperatura de 30 C favoreceu o desempenho germinativo em potenciais hídricos menos restritivos.(AU)

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) shows great economic potential because it can be explored by the national as well as the international market. It can be grown in the second season when it is subject to less favorable weather conditions such as drought during the sowing and emergence. Given this the objective was to evaluate the effect of water stress induced by polyethylene glycol solutions (PEG 6000) at different temperatures in order to asses the physiological quality of sesame seeds. In this work, were used PEG 6000 with different osmotic potentials (0.0 control) and (-0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 1,2 and 1.4 MPa) at temperatures of 25, 30 and 35 C. For determine the effect of the treatments it was evaluated seed germination and vigor (first count and length of the primary root and shoot), in a completely randomized, with four replications. The sesame seeds are affected by water stress, with significant reductions in germination and vigor. A temperature of 30 C favored the germination performance in less restrictive water potentials.(AU)

Physiological performance of sesame seeds under the water stress at different temperatures / Desempenho fisiológico de sementes de gergelim submetidas a estresse hídrico em diferentes temperaturas

O gergelim (Sesamum indicum L.) tem grande potencial econômico, devido às possibilidades de exploração tanto no mercado nacional como internacional, o qual pode ser cultivado em segunda época ou safrinha quando está sujeito a condições climáticas menos favoráveis durante a semeadura e emergência, como o déficit hídrico. Diante disso objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do estresse hídrico induzido por soluções de polietileno glicol (PEG 6000) em diferentes temperaturas no desempenho fisiológico de sementes de gergelim. No trabalho utilizaram-se soluções de PEG 6000 com diferentes potenciais osmóticos (0,0 controle) e (-0,2; 0,4; 0,6 e 0,8; 1,0 1,2 e 1,4 MPa) nas temperaturas de 25, 30 e 35 C. Na determinação do efeito dos tratamentos avaliou-se a germinação e o vigor (primeira contagem, comprimento da raiz primária e parte aérea), em delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. O desempenho fisiológico das sementes de gergelim é afetado pelo estresse hídrico, com reduções significativas na germinação e no vigor, sendo que a temperatura de 30 C favoreceu o desempenho germinativo em potenciais hídricos menos restritivos.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) shows great economic potential because it can be explored by the national as well as the international market. It can be grown in the second season when it is subject to less favorable weather conditions such as drought during the sowing and emergence. Given this the objective was to evaluate the effect of water stress induced by polyethylene glycol solutions (PEG 6000) at different temperatures in order to asses the physiological quality of sesame seeds. In this work, were used PEG 6000 with different osmotic potentials (0.0 control) and (-0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 1,2 and 1.4 MPa) at temperatures of 25, 30 and 35 C. For determine the effect of the treatments it was evaluated seed germination and vigor (first count and length of the primary root and shoot), in a completely randomized, with four replications. The sesame seeds are affected by water stress, with significant reductions in germination and vigor. A temperature of 30 C favored the germination performance in less restrictive water potentials.