ABSTRACT Agricultural spray adjuvants (ASA) are widely used in pesticide applications to enhance the performance of pesticides. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of ASA on static surface tension (SST) and foliar spray retention on coffee leaves. The SST of ASA at different concentrations was determined by the drop weight method. Spray retention on adaxial and abaxial coffee leaf surfaces was performed using a micro-sprayer at solution concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% v v−1. The ASA assessed were: polyether-polymethylsiloxane-copolymer (PPC); Nonylphenol ethoxylate; nonyl polyethylene glycol ether; mineral oil; nonylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol; carboxyl copolymer of styrene and butadiene; primary aliphatic oxyalkylated alcohol plus carboxyl copolymer of styrene and butadiene; and soyal phospholipids and propionic acid. All ASA reduced the SST of the aqueous solutions. PPC provided the best performance in decreasing SST, reaching values below 20 mN m−1 at a concentration of 0.05% v v−1. Spray retention on leaves was influenced by adjuvant type as well as concentration. A very strong positive correlation between SST and spray retention on coffee leaves was observed. Decreasing the SST of the solution provided a reduction of spray retention when spraying was performed until run-off point.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the energetic potential achieved by the application of phyto-regulators to sweet sorghum cultivars. A randomized complete block design was used. Experiments were conducted using two sweet sorghum cultivars (BRS 508 and BRS 509), fourphyto-regulators (ethephon, ethyl-trinexapac, glyphosate, and sulfometuron-methyl), and a control; four replicates were performed 70 days after sowing, at the beginning of the flowering phase of the plants, with the aid of a CO2-pressurized coastal sprayer. The plants were harvested after 40 days, with the stems being cleared at the height of the apical bud, and were subjected to grinding for the extraction of broth. The following analyses were carried out: chemical (total extractives, lignin, and holocellulose contents), proximate (volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash contents), and energetic (higher heating value). Multiple comparison (Tukey) and linear correlation (Pearson) analyses were carried out at a 5% significance level. The phyto-regulators positively and significantly influenced the chemical attributes and contents of lignin and fixed carbon. It was concluded that glyphosate, sulfometuron-methyl, and ethephon enhanced the biomass/bioenergy potential of sweet sorghum cultivars.

ABSTRACT Articles on the applicability of briquetting to the production of mushrooms are rare. Therefore, this research provides the scientific community and, mainly, producers, unpublished technical information regarding the productive yield of oyster mushroom cultivated in sugarcane bagasse briquettes supplemented with bioproducts of cereals. In 30 days of axenic cultivation, 6 tons-force briquettes with 80% humidity resulted in higher productivity (30.4%), and generated the lowest physical volume of exhausted compound (44.8%), thus, overcoming the technical performance of the other briquetting matrices tested, and even of methods traditionally used for the preparation of substrate for P. ostreatus cultivation on a commercial scale. The conclusion is, therefore, that the axenic cultivation of P. ostreatus var. Florida in sugarcane bagasse briquettes, supplemented with bioproducts of cereals, has technically qualified as an original and efficient method for the production of high biological value protein by the recycling of agricultural residues and can therefore guarantee multiple economic benefits to the agribusiness of the oyster mushroom, in addition to allowing reduction of environmental impacts by the restricted generation of exhausted compound in the post-harvest stage.