Abstract Soybean is the main oilseed crop in the world, and one of the main challenges for its production is the Anticarsia gemmatalis management, especially in agroecological production systems. In this study, it was analyzed the impact of dynamized solutions applied to soybean plants and pro-vided as food to A. gemmatalis on insect biology. Solutions tested include: Calcarea carbonica 4CH, Carbo vegetabilis 12CH, Staphysagria 4CH, A. gemmatalis nosode 12CH, Soybean nosode 4CH, and control of distilled water. Biological characteristics analyzed include: weight of caterpillars at the beginning and end of the 4th instar, dry weight of pupa, caterpillar length at 4th instar, duration of cycle, emergence of adults, fecundity of females, and ingestion, ingested food conversion efficiency, and efficiency of digested food conversion. At the beginning and at the end of the 4th instar, caterpillars fed soybean leaves treated with homeopathic substances showed reduced body weight relative to the distilled water control. The dynamized solutions tested are promising as an efficient alternative method for the control of A. gemmatalis, promoting lower conversion of food into biological efficiency and biomass.

Abstract Although there are fertilization recommendations for the cultivation of zucchini, there are just few researches about the effects of nutrients in seed production. Calcium and boron have a low mobility in plants, and some researches recommend foliar application for these nutrients. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the foliar application of calcium and boron in the production and quality of zucchini seeds. The experimental design was randomized blocks with seven replications. Four treatments were evaluated: only calcium (0.2%) application, only boron (0.1%) application, combined application of calcium (0.2%) and boron (0.1%) and the control (without calcium and boron.) The following characteristics were evaluated: number of pollen grains per flower, hundred seeds weight; seed number and weight per fruit and seed physiological quality (germination; first germination count and speed of germination index - SGI). Only boron application reduced the number of seeds produced per fruit. The combined foliar application of calcium and boron, in addition to reducing the number of seeds, also reduced SGI. The calcium only application increased the amount of pollen per flower (superior to all other treatments) and also the number of seeds per fruit (compared to the combined application of calcium + boron), without affecting the quality of the zucchini seeds. So, it can be recomended the aplication of Ca during zucchini flowering for seed production.

Abstract The post-harvest resting of the fruits can improve seed physiological quality ,once it allows the seed to complete the maturation process, so it has been a common practice in vegetable seed companies, however, there are a few studies of this technique in sweet pepper. The objective of this research was to evaluate physiological quality, and biochemical response of sweet’s peppers in regarding on the stage of maturation and the post-harvest rest of the fruits. The experimental was conducted in a 4x2 factorial, being the first factor comprised four maturation stages (35, 50, 65 and 80 days after anthesis) and, the second the post-harvest management of fruits, with and without a temporary storage of seven days. Seeds were evaluated for water content, weight of thousand seeds, germination, vigor, superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase activities, lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content. Fruit harvest time indicated is 80 days after anthesis (fruits 100% yellow) when seeds showed maximum germination and vigor. The post-harvest resting of the fruits was beneficial to seed physiological quality, weight of one thousand seeds and to reduce hydrogen peroxide content. Seeds of higher physiological quality showed lower superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activity, so they can be used as a marker of physiological quality in sweet pepper seeds.

RESUMO O conhecimento das condições ideais para o teste de germinação das sementes é essencial em função do potencial de crescimento da cultura no País. Portanto, o objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar as influências da luz, da temperatura e do substrato para o teste de germinação de sementes Physalis peruviana L. Foram utilizadas sementes de três lotes, inicialmente avaliadas, em mesa termogradiente, em nove temperaturas constantes (variação de 15 a 35 ºC) e duas alternadas 20-30 ºC e 15-35 ºC, com oito horas de fotoperíodo na presença e ausência de luz. Em seguida, a germinação das sementes foi estudada em função dos substratos, papel mata-borrão (sobre papel), areia (entre areia) e vermiculita (entre vermiculita), com oito horas de luz, nas temperaturas de 25 ºC e 20-30 ºC. As avaliações foram realizadas diariamente até a estabilização da germinação, sendo registradas as sementes que originaram plântulas normais. Os resultados foram expressos em porcentagem, índice de velocidade e tempo médio de germinação. A germinação de sementes de P. peruviana L. ocorreu em intervalo amplo de temperatura (15 a 30,2 ºC), sendo ideais as temperaturas de 25 ºC e alternada de 20-30 ºC, com oito horas de luz. O substrato areia (entre areia) foi mais adequado e, como alternativa, podem ser utilizados o papel (sobre papel) e a vermiculita (entre vermiculita). As avaliações do teste de germinação podem ser realizadas no 7º dia (primeira contagem) e no 14º dia (contagem final) após a instalação do teste.

ABSTRACT Optimum seed germination conditions are crucial for the complete utilization of the potential of a crop. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of light, temperature, and substrate on the germination of Physalis peruviana L. seeds. Three seed lots were used, which were first assessed over a temperature gradient of nine intervals (from 15 ºC to 35 ºC) and alternating temperatures of 20-30 ºC and 15-35 ºC under a photoperiod of 8h light. Subsequently, germination was studied according to the substrate used, i.e., paper (on paper), sand (between sand), and vermiculite (between vermiculite), under 8h light per day at a constant temperature of 25 ºC or alternating temperatures (20-30 ºC). Evaluations were conducted daily until germination stabilized, and normal seedlings were counted. The results are expressed in percentage, germination speed index, and mean germination time. The germination of P. peruviana seeds occurred within a wide temperature range (15 ºC to 30 ºC). A constant temperature of 25 ºC and alternating temperatures of 20-30 ºC were found to be optimum under 8h light per day. Sand was the most suitable substrate, but paper and vermiculite can also be used as alternatives. Germination test can be evaluated on the 7th day (first count) and 14th day (last count) after test initiation.