Estudaram-se algumas características de dez variedades de rami (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) em relação à presença ou à ausência do tecido medular do caule. As variedades apresentaram porcentagens diferentes de número de caules com presença (cheios) ou ausência (ocos) de tecido medular. Algumas mostraram superioridade dos caules cheios em relação aos caules ocos para as características de peso, porcentagem de fibra sobre peso de caule verde, diâmetro e comprimento de caule, porém não apresentaram diferenças para as características de porcentagem de fibra sobre peso de caule seco e comprimento de fibra. Para fineza de fibra, somente a variedade tatsuka-kairyo revelou uma superioridade dos caules ocos em relação aos cheios. Considerando-se os caules cheios e os ocos separadamente para cada variedade, as variedades, comparadas duas a duas, tiveram comportamento diferente com relação às características estudadas. As variedades saikeiseishin-shun, E 49-63 o tatsuka-kairyo, tanto para caules cheios como para ocos, revelaram os maiores valores para as características estudadas, com exceção para fineza de fibra, cujos valores foram os mais baixos, devendo ser escolhidas em futuros trabalhos de melhoramento. Pelos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que é possível a realização de um trabalho de melhoramento visando aperfeiçoar determinadas características de rami.

A study concerning some characters of ten ramie varieties (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) and its relationship with the presence or absense of stalk pith is reported.The following international varieties were considered: saikeiseishin-shun, london, tatsutyama, izu-kairyo, chiayi, tsuannan n.° 2, toakan, kokuhi, E 49-63 and tatsuka-kairyo. The characters studied were: weight-green stalk, dry stalk, dry fibers, fiber content in green and dry stalk, diameter and length of stalk and fineness and length of fibers. In some varieties, the stalks with pith showed superior performance with relation to characters of weight, fiber content in green stalk, diameter and length of stalk. For all varieties, no differences were observed for the characters of fiber content in dry stalk and length of fibers in respect to the presence or absence of stalk pith. For the character fineness of fiber, only one variety (tatsuka-kairyo) presented superior performance for the stalks with absence of pith. When the varieties were confronted two and two, such for the presence or absence of stalk pith, they showed different behaviour in relation to the characters studied. The stalks with presence or absence of pith of varieties Saikeiseishin-shun, E 49-63 and Tatsuka-kairyo, presented higher values for the characters tested, with except for fineness of fibers whose values were the lowest and could be considered in the future breeding program. The results obtained show that it is possible to make a selection work with the objective to obtain certain characteristics of rami.

Com a finalidade de obter plantas de rami de melhores características, estudaram-se 233 genótipos originados da autofecundação de uma planta da variedade Murakami e do seu cruzamento com plantas das variedades London, Yilan n.° 1 e Banmethuot. Esses genótipos, conforme sua origem, foram enquadrados nas quatro classes seguintes, de acordo com a cor da folha e do pecíolo foliar: a) de folhas e pecíolos verdes; b) de folhas verdes e pecíolos vermelhos; c) de folhas amareladas e pecíolos verdes; d) de folhas amareladas e pecíolos vermelhos. Do total de genótipos obtidos, somente 67 produziram caules compridos nas três colheitas efetuadas sucessivamente. Cada genótipo foi estudado quanto ao número e peso de caules curtos com folhas, e caules compridos com folhas e sem folhas, peso de fibras secas, porcentagens de fibras sobre peso de caules compridos com folhas e sem folhas, e comprimento de caules compridos. As fibras foram extraídas dos caules compridos sem folhas, submetendo-os ao trabalho de uma máquina desfibradeira. Por ocasião da terceira colheita, em cinco caules compridos de cada genótipo foram procedidas as seguintes determinações: peso de caules com folhas e sem folhas, peso verde e seco de pedaços de caules de 25 cm de comprimento, peso seco de fibras dos pedaços de caules, diâmetro e comprimento dos caules inteiros, porcentagem de fibras sobre peso de pedaços de caules verde e seco, porcentagem de folhas e de umidade nos caules. As fibras foram extraídas dos pedaços de caules secos, por meios químicos. Para a maioria das características estudadas, a análise estatística revelou diferenças entre os genótipos da mesma origem. As classes dos diversos grupos de genótipos apresentaram comportamentos diferentes quando comparadas duas a duas. Os genótipos de folha amarelada devem ser eliminados do trabalho de melhoramento do rami. Os genótipos produtivos originados do cruzamento das variedades Murakami e Banmethuot foram em maior número e de melhores características. De todos os genótipos estudados, foram selecionados dezoito, que serão multiplicados vegetativamente para o estabelecimento de clones.

A population of 233 genotypes of ramie (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) was studied for selection and establishment of high fiber yielding clones. The genotypes originated of self-pollinated plants of the Murakami variety and crossings between this variety with Yilan n.° 1, Banmethuot, and London varieties were classified in four class according to the leaf and leaf-stalk color. In three successive harvests, only 67 genotypes produced long stalks which were studied with regard to number and weight - green long stalk with leaves and without leaves, green short stalk with leaves - weight of dry fibers, fibre content in green long stalk with and without leaves and length of long stalk. In the third harvest five long stalks of each genotype were subjected to the following determinations: weight green-stalk with leaves and without leaves, two hundred fifty milimeters of green and dry stalk, dry fiber - content - fiber in green stalk and dry stalk, leaves and humidity stalk - and diameter and length of stalks. For the most part of the characters studied genotypes of identical origin differed significantly. The genotype classes of identical origin had different behaviour when they were confronted two and two. Crossing Murakami with Banmethuot gave the more numerous producible genotypes and those that presented the best values for some characters tested. Eighteen genotypes that presented the best characters, principally in relation to dry fiber production, were selected to establish clones.

Com o propósito de encontrar um método mais fácil de determinar algumas características do caule de rami, como peso de caule verde e seco, peso de fibra seca, teor de fibra sobre peso de caule verde e seco, fineza e comprimento de fibra, foram estudadas seis regiões de igual comprimento do caule da variedade "murakami" (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.). As regiões do caule apresentaram valores diferentes com relação às características estudadas. Algumas delas tiveram médias que podem representar as do caule tomado por inteiro.

They were tested some agro-botanical and technological characters in different regions of ramie stalk with the purpose to find easier method of determination of these characters. The study was based on stalks with 99 days old and 150 cm of length obtained from ramie variety "murakami" Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) produced in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The characters studied were: weight-green stalk, dry stalk, dry fibers, - fiber content in green and dry stalk, fineness, and length of fiber. Considering the characters tested the stalk regions differed significantly. For certain characters the average of entire stalk can be replaced by the average of stalk region.

Estudaram-se a fineza e o comprimento de fibra de dez variedades internacionais de rami (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.), pertencentes à coleção existente no Instituto Agronômico do Estado de São Paulo. A variedade Chiayi apresentou as fibras mais finas, com um número métrico médio igual a 1561,1, somente superior aos das variedades Tatsuka-Kayrio e E 49-63. Esta última revelou as mais grossas fibras, com um número métrico médio igual a 1101,6. Com referência ao comprimento de fibra, a variedade E 49-63 apresentou a maior média (172,3 mm) e a Tatsutyama a menor (155,0 mm). A Tatsutyama teve a maior porcentagem de fibras curtas (46,3%) e a menor porcentagem de fibras longas (9,2%), enquanto a E-49-63 apresentou a menor porcentagem de fibras curtas (19,0%) e a maior de fibras longas (22,9%). Com relação à porcentagem de fibras médias, a E 49-63 teve a maior (58,1%), e a Tatsutyama a menor (43,9%). As fibras classificadas em curtas, médias e longas, mostraram que as variedades de alto comprimento médio de fibra foram mais uniformes do que as de comprimento médio mais baixo.

A study concerning the fineness and length of the following international varieties of ramie (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) is reported: Saikeisheishin-Shun, London, Tatsutyama, Izu-Kairyo, Chiayi, Tsuannan n.° 2, Toakan, Kokuhi, E 49-63 and Tatsuka-Kairyo. This study was based on fibers obtained from ninety five to hundred three old stalks of the ramie varieties produced in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Chiayi had the higher average fineness (Nm = 1536,8) and the E 49-63 had the lower average fineness (Nm = 1101.6). The varieties E 49-63, Tatsuka-Kairyo e Saikeisheishim-Shum had the longer fibers (average of 172.3; 167.9 and 168.6 mm, respectively). Kokuhi, London, Tatsutyama Tsuannan n.° 2 and Toakan had the lower fiber length (average of 160.8; 160.1; 155.0; 158.9 and 161.0 mm, respectively). The fibers classified in short, median and long, showed that the varieties of high average length fiber were more uniform than varieties of low average length fiber. The results obtained may be used by the ramie industry for production of different kinds of manufactures and also by the breeders in order to establish any breeding and selection program.

Agave sisalana e A. fourcroydes, responsáveis pela produção de praticamente 90% das fibras duras consumidas no mundo, foram estudadas comparativamente em relação a A. amaniensis, A. letonae, A. zapupe e A. sisalana f. marginata, de 1965 a 1974, em experimento conduzido na E.E. de Tatui, do Instituto Agronômico. Ao completar nove anos de plantio no campo, a espécie A. fourcroydes ainda se encontrava com todas as plantas em produção, tendo as demais espécies concluído o ciclo vegetativo em períodos que variaram de quatro a oito anos. A. fourcroydes produziu a maior quantidade total de fibras por planta, com 5.044 gramas, enquanto A. sisalana apresentou a maior produção média anual, com 582 gramas de fibras secas por planta. Agave sisalana, tanto em sua forma normal como na variegada, deu, aproximadamente, o mesmo número de folhas que o obtido, até ao presente, para A. fourcroydes; as demais espécies produziram menor número de folhas.

A trial designed to compare the fiber production of Agave sisalana, A. fourcroydes, A. amaniensis, A. letonae, A. zapupe, and A. sisalana f. marginatawas conducted from 1966 to 1974, at the Tatui Experimental Station, of the Instituto Agronômico, S. Paulo State, Brazil. A. zapupe was the first to pole, at the fourth year, being followed by A. letonae, A. amaniensis, A. sisalana, and A. sisalana f. marginata. A. fourcroydesdid not pole until the ninth year. The spacing adopted was 3 m x 1 m and each species produced per plant respectively: 2 kg for A. zapupe, 3 kg for A. amaniensis and A. letonae, 4 kg for A. sisalana and A. sisalana f. marginata, and 5 kg for A. fourcroydes of dried fiber. Considering the poling age A. sisalana gave the highest production, with the average of 582 g of dried fibers per year by plant.

Estudaram-se a fineza e o comprimento de fibra de doze variedades internacionais de rami (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) pertencentes à coleção existente no Instituto Agronômico do Estado de São Paulo. A variedade Taiwan Hakushi destacou-se como produtora de fibras mais finas, enquanto a Hsi-Ching-Chin-Hsin foi a que apresentou fibras mais grossas. Com relação ao comprimento de fibra, as variedades P.I. 87.521, Ban-methuot e Taiwan Hakushi tiveram os valores mais baixos, apresentando porcentagens mais elevadas de fibras curtas, e Hakuhi Ibgou, Hsi-Ching-Chin-Hsin e Shalien n.° 1 apresentaram comprimentos médios de fibras mais altos, destacando-se por porcentagens mais elevadas de fibras longas.

A study concerning the fineness and length of the following international varieties of ramie (Boehmeria nivea Gaud.) is reported: Hakuhi Ibgou; White Skin; Taiwan Hakushi; Shalien n.° 1; Hsi-Ching-Chin-Hsin; Banmethuot; Miyasaki 112; E 47-1; Murakami; P.I. 87.521; Kagisei; and Yilan n.° 1. The study was based on fibers obtained from three month old stalks of the ramie varieties produced in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The Taiwan Hakushi exceeded the others varieties in average fineness (Nm 1786) and the Hsi-Ching-Chin-Hsin had the lower average fineness (Nm 945). The varieties P.I. 87.521, Banmethuot e Taiwan Hakushi had the lower fiber length (average of 133 mm, 141 mm and 151 mm, respectively). Hakuhi Ibgou, Hsi-Ching-Chin-Hsin and Shalien n.° 1 had the longer fibers (average of 175 mm, respectively). The fibers classified in short, median and long, showed that the varieties of high average length fiber were more uniform than varieties of low average length fiber. The results obtained may be used by the ramie industry for production of different kinds of manufactures and also by the breeders in order to establish any breeding and selection program.

Êste estudo trata da multiplicação vegetativa do bambu imperial, por meio de estacas de ramos e toletes de côlmo. Teve, por finalidade, verificar a praticobilidade desses processos em substituição ao método ortodoxo da subdivisão de touceiros, usado pora sua propagação. Os resultados obtidos mostram que ambos os processos são bastante eficientes, desde que sejam respeitadas os seguintes regras básicas: 1) utilizar apenas 05 bases de ramos para fornecimento das estacas; 2) plantar os toletes de côlmo em posição horizontal. Foram obtidas, dessa maneira, os seguintes porcentagens de enraizamento: 70,5% para estacas de base de ramo e 99% para toletes de côlmo.

The common method of propagating Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. var. vittata A. et C. Riv., like other clump bamboos, is by division. This method, although quite effective, has the disadvantage of being economically impractical to supply commercial demands of planting material for large scale bamboo plantations. This study deals with the assexual propagation of this bamboo species by branch cuttings and culm sections as propagating material, to overcome the disadvantage of propagation by clump division. Branch cuttings and culm sections were obtained from 80 culms, 40 being about I year old and 40 about 3 years old. Two hundred branch cuttings and one hundred culm sections were taken for each culm age group and divided into five subgroups for treatment or not with the following root-promoting substances: Trilone (2,4-D), Dieradix D, Dieradix MD, and alpha-naphthylacetic acid. Two types of branch cuttings were taken from the middle and top sections of each culm age group: a) the basal enlarged portion of the branch, including 3 nodes and 2 internodes, besides a little portion of the culm wood attached to the base; b) the next portion of the same branch, including 3 nodes and 2 internodes. So, there were 10 branch cuttings in each treatment including the untreated check, for each culm age group in this investigation. Two types of culm sections were taken for each culm age group: a) culm base sections, consisting of two nodes with one "eye" or dormant bud in each node; b) culm middle sections, consisting of two nodes, each one with the enlarged basal portion and two nodes of the main branch attached to it. Culm sections were planted in two positions: a) horizontally, about four inches below soil level; b) slanting, with the top node at soil level. So, there were 5 culm sections in each treatcent, including the untreated check, for each culm age group in this trial. The experiment was performed from October 10, 1961 to March 28, 1962, and brought ou the following findings: Branch cuttings: 1. Treatment with root-promoting substances gave some response only in case of alfa-naphthylacetic ocid. Within treatments the percentage of cuttings rooted was 48.7 for both types and ages of branch cuttings; and 80.0 per cent, considering only the branch cuttings made of the basal portion of the branches. Untreated check gave 38.7 per cent ond 77.5 per cent, respectively. 2. Number of juvenile culms and "horns" (new culms beginning to grow and not yet emerged from the ground) was greater in the rooted branch cuttings that were treated with alpha-nophthylacetic acid. 3 Rooting was best for the branch cuttings made of basal portions of branches ond taken from the middle section of the culm. Culm sections: 1 . Horizontal planting gave better rooting results with 99.0 per cent against 71 .0 per cent for slanting planting. 2. Concerning rooting at both nodes, culm sections prepared from the middle culm portion had a higher rooting ability than those taken from the basal culm portion. 3. Culm age had no effect on culm section rooting as well as the treatment with root-promoting substances.