ABSTRACT Regression analysis is highly relevant to agricultural sciences since many of the factors studied are quantitative. Researchers have generally used polynomial models to explain their experimental results, mainly because much of the existing software perform this analysis and a lack of knowledge of other models. On the other hand, many of the natural phenomena do not present such behavior; nevertheless, the use of non-linear models is costly and requires advanced knowledge of language programming such as R. Thus, this work presents several regression models found in scientific studies, implementing them in the form of an R package called AgroReg. The package comprises 44 analysis functions with 66 regression models such as polynomial, non-parametric (loess), segmented, logistic, exponential, and logarithmic, among others. The functions provide the coefficient of determination (R2), model coefficients and the respective p-values from the t-test, root mean square error (RMSE), Akaike’s information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), maximum and minimum predicted values, and the regression plot. Furthermore, other measures of model quality and graphical analysis of residuals are also included. The package can be downloaded from the CRAN repository using the command: install.packages(“AgroReg”). AgroReg is a promising analysis tool in agricultural research on account of its user-friendly and straightforward functions that allow for fast and efficient data processing with greater reliability and relevant information.

Abstract The objective of this work was to develop a method to create and validate CRISPR-Cas systems and different gRNAs in soybean (Glycine max) embryos. Two model genes were used for simple mutation with one gRNA or partial gene deletion with two guides. The gRNAs were inserted into the CRISPR transformation vectors by a type IIS restriction enzyme or by subcloning and inserting the promoter + gRNA2 in the final transformation vector using the classic restriction enzyme cloning method. The vectors were successfully constructed for one and two gRNAs. Agrobacterium-mediated transient transformation in soybean was carried out to test the quality of gRNAs and of the system itself (expression cassette). Simple mutation and gene deletion were detected in the embryos transformed after DNA enrichment by enzyme digestion followed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing, which indicates that the CRISPR-Cas system and guides were working. This protocol can be used to accelerate CRISPR-based genome editing strategies for genetic transformation in soybean.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um método para criar e validar sistemas CRISPR-Cas e diferentes gRNAs em embriões de soja (Glycine max). Dois genes modelo foram usados para mutação simples com um gRNA ou deleção parcial do gene com dois guias. Os gRNAs foram inseridos nos vetores de transformação CRISPR por uma enzima de restrição do tipo IIS ou por subclonagem e inserção do promotor + gRNA2 no vetor de transformação final, com uso do método clássico de clonagem por enzimas de restrição. Os vetores foram construídos com sucesso para um e dois gRNAs. A transformação transiente de soja por Agrobacterium foi realizada para testar a qualidade dos gRNAs e do próprio sistema (cassete de expressão). Detectaram-se mutação simples e deleção gênica nos embriões transformados após o enriquecimento do DNA por digestão seguida de reação em cadeia da polimerase e sequenciamento, o que indica que o sistema CRISPR-Cas e os guias estavam funcionando. Este protocolo pode ser usado para acelerar as estratégias de edição de genoma baseadas em CRISPR, para transformação genética em soja.

RESUMO O milho pipoca é uma importante cultura agrícola, consumida como petisco pela população mundial. No Brasil, a falta de cultivares com alto potencial de rendimento de grãos e elevado volume de expansão é considerada uma das principais dificuldades. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a divergência genética entre linhagens elite de milho pipoca por meio de marcadores AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism), estimar a capacidade geral e específica de combinação (GCA e SCA, respectivamente) e correlacionar a distância genética com a SCA e a média dos híbridos. Para o estudo de divergência genética, foram avaliadas 45 linhagens de milho pipoca provenientes de diferentes híbridos e variedades. Posteriormente, dez linhagens foram selecionadas para análise dialélica; o rendimento de grãos (GY) e a capacidade de expansão (PE) foram avaliados em três ambientes. Com base nos marcadores AFLP, foi observada uma ampla variabilidade entre as linhagens avaliadas. Na avaliação dos híbridos, foi observado efeito significativo para GY e PE, sendo que alguns híbridos apresentaram alto potencial de GY e PE quando comparados às testemunhas comerciais. Por meio da análise dialélica, foi observado efeito significativo da GCA para GY e PE, indicando que as linhagens diferem na frequência de alelos favoráveis, com linhagens promissoras para a formação de híbridos ou variedades sintéticas. Por outro lado, para SCA, nenhum efeito significativo foi observado para essas características. A distância genética não se correlacionou com GY e Ŝij, demonstrando ausência de consistência na predição de grupos heteróticos para milho pipoca via marcadores AFLP.

ABSTRACT Popcorn is an important agricultural crop that is consumed as a snack food worldwide. In Brazil, the lack of cultivars with high potential grain yield and popping expansion volume is a vital problem. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the genetic divergence among elite popcorn lines using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers to estimate the general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA, respectively), and correlate the genetic distance with the SCA and hybrid means. For the genetic divergence study, 45 popcorn inbred lines of different hybrids and varieties were evaluated. Subsequently, 10 inbred lines were selected for diallel analysis; grain yield (GY) and popping expansion (PE) were evaluated in three environments. A wide variability of popcorn inbred lines was observed based on the AFLP markers. After evaluating the hybrids, a significant effect was observed for GY and PE, with some experimental hybrids with higher potential GY and PE than the commercial cultivars. From the diallel analysis, a significant effect was observed for GCA for GY and PE; therefore, the lines differed in the frequency of favorable alleles, with promising inbred lines for forming hybrids or synthetic varieties. However, for SCA, no significant effect was observed for these traits. Genetic distance did not correlate with GY and Ŝij, demonstrating an absence of consistency in the prediction of heterotic groups for popcorn using AFLP markers.

ABSTRACT The development of new popcorn cultivars that include wide adaptation, high stability and superior performance characteristics is one of the main alternatives to mitigate the effects of the genotype × environment interaction. In this sense, our main goal was to evaluate the adaptability and stability of new popcorn hybrids using Bayesian additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (BAMMI) method for grain yield (GY) and popping expansion capacity (PE) traits. We evaluated GY and PE from 45 new popcorn hybrids and three commercial cultivars (IAC–125, Pop Top and Top Ten) as checks in six different environments. Genotype × environment interaction, correlation and stability analyses were performed using Bayesian approaches. The full models tested presented the lowest deviance information criterion (DIC) values when compared to null models, indicating the presence of the genotype × environment interaction for both evaluated agronomic traits. Negative correlations were observed between GY and PE (r = –0.24, 95% highest posterior density [HPD] = –0.31; –0.17) and confirm the difficulty to perform selection simultaneously for both characteristics. UEM–3 and UEM–7 hybrids showed wide stability and high a posteriori averages for GY and PE. Both cultivars can be registered and recommended for cultivation in popcorn producing regions.

ABSTRACT Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties bearing a wide diversity of colors and shapes that may be used by breeders aiming to improve physical and biochemical fruit traits. Hence, in this work heirloom tomato accessions were characterized, gathering information to genetic breeding programs focusing on human food. For that, 67 heirloom tomato accessions were evaluated for fruit size, fruit mass, fruit volume, color, vitamin C, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, phenolic compounds content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three repetitions. Linear mixed model, Pearson’s correlation and hierarchical clustering were applied to data. Five groups were formed by Ward’s clustering method. The accession UEL 300 constituted group A, which had the greatest mass and volume fruit. Eight accessions formed group B and showed mostly yellow fruits. Group C was comprised of 13 accessions, which had the highest levels of carotenoids, vitamin C, and antioxidant activity. Thirty-three accessions that constituted group D did not stand out for any of the attributes, while 12 accessions into group E had the highest content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, along with the highest ratio of soluble solids and acidity. Five accessions in this collection (UEL 296, UEL 146, UEL 238, UEL 231, and UEL 217) stood out for their biochemical traits. The wide diversity for physical and biochemical fruit traits can be explored in tomato breeding programs, seeking to develop new cultivars, and strengthening family farming.

RESUMO - A adoção de culturas tolerantes aos mimetizadores de auxina pode aumentar a ocorrência de deriva desses herbicidas interferindo no desenvolvimento de culturas naturalmente sensíveis, como o feijão. Objetivou-se avaliar a germinação e o desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de feijão, a partir de subdoses do herbicida 2,4-D. O delineamento do experimento I foi inteiramente casualizado, com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições, exceto para a germinação, com oito repetições. As sementes foram embebidas em 100 mL de água com concentrações de 0.0; 1.12; 2.14; 4.18; 8.37; 16.75; 33.50 e 67 g e.a. L-1 de 2,4-D. Foram avaliadas a germinação, comprimento, massa fresca e seca de plântulas e condutividade elétrica. O delineamento do experimento II foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. O feijão foi semeado em areia e em seguida foram pulverizadas concentrações de 0.0; 8.37; 16.75; 33.50 e 67.00 g e.a L-1 de 2,4-D. Foram avaliadas emergência das sementes, injúria, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea. De acordo com a análise de regressão, houve redução na germinação, independente da concentração utilizada, assim como no comprimento de plântulas. Sementes embebidas nessa solução apresentaram o sistema radicular e desenvolvimento prejudicados. Houve aumento da condutividade elétrica conforme o acréscimo das concentrações do herbicida, indicando menor potencial fisiológico das sementes. No experimento II, o aumento das concentrações do 2,4-D reduziu a emergência e aumentou a injúria nas plantas. Conclui-se que as subdoses do herbicida 2,4-D interferem negativamente na germinação e no desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de feijão.

ABSTRACT - The adoption of cultures tolerant to auxin mimics can increase the occurrence of drift of these herbicides, interfering in the development of naturally sensitive cultures, such as beans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the germination and initial development of bean seedlings, using sub-doses of the herbicide 2,4-D. The design of experiment I was completely randomized, with eight treatments and four replications, except for germination, with eight replications. The seeds were sowed in 100 mL of water with concentrations of 0.0; 1.12; 2.14; 4.18; 8.37; 16.75; 33.50 and 67.00 g a.e. L-1 of 2,4-D. Germination, length, seedling fresh and dry mass and electrical conductivity were evaluated. The design of experiment II was completely randomized with five treatments and four replications. The beans were sowed in sand and then sprayed at concentrations of 0.0; 8.37; 16.75; 33.50 and 67.00 g e.a. L-1 of 2,4-D. Seed emergence, injury, fresh and dry shoot mass were evaluated. According to the regression analysis, there was a reduction in germination, regardless of the concentration used, as well as the seedling length. Seeds sown in this solution presented impaired root system and development, tending to mortality. Electrical conductivity increased as herbicide concentrations increased, indicating lower physiological potential of seeds. In experiment II, increasing 2,4-D concentrations reduced emergence and increased injury to bean plants. It is concluded that the sub-doses of the 2,4-D herbicide negatively affect the germination and initial development of bean seedlings.

ABSTRACT The evaluation of genetic diversity among the accessions of a germplasm collection results in information about promising materials suitable for breeding programs. Thus, the goal of this work was to characterize Capsicum baccatum accessions from different Brazilian regions, based on morphological, biochemical and molecular traits, aiming to support chili pepper breeding programs. The fruits were morphologically characterized based on fruit length, diameter, fresh mass and pericarp thickness, and biochemically analyzed for their content in ascorbic and phenolic acids, flavonoid and antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All phenotypic traits showed significant differences among the chili pepper accessions, indicating a wide variability. The fruits were also characterized using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. The combination of six AFLP primers resulted in 1117 bands, 1033 of which were polymorphic. Divergence between accessions was estimated by the Ward’s hierarchical agglomerative clustering method, resulting in three and two clusters for fruit phenotypic traits and molecular data, respectively. In Bayesian analysis, molecular data also clustered the accessions in two groups. There was no association between the phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers, indicating that both characterizations are important to better understand the genetic variability. Furthermore, it was not possible to group the accessions solely based on their origin for neither phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers. The accessions G1, G5, G6, and G20 showed interesting characteristics and can be used in breeding programs, aiming the development of Capsicum spp. cultivars with desirable morphological and biochemical traits.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da aplicação exógena de ácido salicílico como indutor de resistência ao ácaro-rajado e à traça em genótipos de tomateiro. Para isso, realizaram-se bioensaios com três genótipos comerciais (‘Redenção’, ‘Giuliana’ e ‘Alambra’) e um silvestre (Solanum habrochaites var. hirsutum acesso PI-127826). Determinou-se a distância média percorrida pelo ácaro-rajado e o número de ovos depositados sobre os folíolos dos genótipos. Com relação ao bioensaio da traça-do-tomateiro, foram avaliados o número de ovos e lagartas na superfície do folíolo e a porcentagem de área foliar consumida pelas lagartas por meio de digitalização dos folíolos. Além disso, avaliou-se a severidade do ataque na planta utilizando uma escala de notas referente a danos, tipos de lesões e folíolos atacados. A aplicação de ácido salicílico induziu resistência nos genótipos comerciais para ambas as pragas, diminuindo a oviposição do ácaro e da traça do tomateiro. Os ácaros percorreram menor distância nos folíolos dos genótipos que receberam tratamento com ácido salicílico nas concentrações intermediarias, indicando efeito benéfico da substância na indução de resistência. A severidade do ataque da traça do tomateiro, também foi coibida quando aplicadas doses intermediárias de ácido salicílico. Entretanto, observou-se resistência superior do acesso PI-127826 em relação aos demais genótipos. Isso indica que a resistência de PI-127826 se deve à defesa constitutiva, enquanto que nos genótipos comerciais as defesas são dependentes, em parte, de respostas de indução mediadas pelo ácido salicílico. Dessa forma, pode se inferir que o ácido salicílico é eficiente como indutor de resistência ao ácaro rajado e à traça-do-tomateiro, sendo bastante promissor dentro de um manejo integrado de pragas em cultivos comerciais de tomateiro.

ABSTRACT This study was performed to evaluate the effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid as a resistance inducer to two-spotted spider mite and tomato pinworm on tomato genotypes. Bioassays were carried out in three commercial genotypes (‘Redenção’, ‘Giuliana’, and ‘Alambra’) and one wild genotype (Solanum habrochaites var. hirsutum, accession PI-127826). Average distance travelled by the two-spotted spider mite and number of eggs deposited over the leaflets of the genotypes were investigated. Concerning pinworm bioassay, number of eggs, leafminers on leaflet surface and percentage of leaf area consumed by leafminers were evaluated using a scanner. Furthermore, severity of attack to plants was evaluated by score scale for damages, types of lesions and attacked leaflets. Salicylic acid application induced resistance in the commercial genotypes against both pests, reducing the two-spotted spider mite and pinworm oviposition. The spider mites travelled shorter distance on leaflets of genotypes treated with salicylic acid at intermediate concentrations, indicating a positive effect of substance as inducing resistance. Attack severity by pinworm was also reduced when intermediate doses of salicylic acid were applied. Also, higher resistance was observed on accession PI-127826 as compared to other genotypes. The obtained results indicate that the resistance of PI-127826 was due to constitutive defense, whereas on commercial genotypes defense was dependent on responses mediated by salicylic acid. Hence, salicylic acid treatment, as resistance inducer, seems to be efficient against two-spotted spider mite and pinworm, being a promising tool within an integrated pest management on tomato plants.

RESUMO A interação genótipo-ambiente (GA) é um complicador para a seleção de novos genótipos. A abordagem Bayesiana é uma ferramenta que pode aumentar a eficiência das metodologias de adaptabilidade e estabilidade. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os parâmetros lineares e bi-lineares da análise AMMI (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction) pela abordagem Bayesiana na seleção de genótipos de soja tipo alimento em ensaios multi-ambientes. A produtividade de grãos de cinco linhagens livres das enzimas lipoxigenases e destinadas ao consumo humano do Programa de Melhoramento de Soja da Universidade Estadual de Londrina e duas cultivares comerciais (BRS 257 e BMX Potência RR) foram avaliadas em quatro municípios do Estado do Paraná, nas safras 2014/15, 2015/16 e 2016/17. Das linhagens avaliadas, apenas a UEL 110 e UEL 122 tiveram efeitos genotípicos a posteriori positivos, superiores a 95% de confiabilidade a cultivar comercial BRS 257. Somente as linhagens UEL 115 e UEL 123 não contribuíram significativamente para a interação GA. As linhagens UEL 110 e UEL 122 foram adaptáveis ao maior número de ambientes de interação GA significativas e, portanto, são promissoras para o desenvolvimento de novas cultivares de soja tipo alimento. A utilização da AMMI1 (CP1 vs efeitos genotípicos) mostrou resultados para a estabilidade semelhantes ao AMMI2 (CP1 vs CP2), o que possibilitou uma seleção direta pelo biplot para produtividade e estabilidade.

ABSTRACT A complicating factor for the selection of plant strains is the influence of a genotype-environment (GE) interaction. The Bayesian approach is a tool to increase the efficiency of adaptability and stability methodologies. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the linear and bi-linear parameters of the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis using the Bayesian approach for selection of food-type soybean genotypes in multi-environment trials. The grain yields of five lipoxygenase-free lines intended for human consumption of from the soybean breeding program of the Londrina State University and two commercial standards (BRS 257 and BMX Potência RR) were evaluated in four counties of the State of Paraná, Brazil, in the 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17 growing seasons. Of the evaluated lines, only UEL 110 and UEL 122 had positive posterior genotypic effects, exceeding a probability of 95% against the commercial standard BRS 257. Only lines UEL 115 and UEL 123 did not contribute significantly to the GE interaction. Lines UEL 110 and UEL 122 proved adaptable to the largest number of environments with significant GE interaction and are therefore promising for the development of new food-type soybean cultivars. The use of AMMI1 (PC1 vs. effects genotypes) showed results for the stability of genotypes similar to AMMI2 (PC1 vs PC2), allowing a direct selection by the biplot for productivity and stability.

Abstract Water deficit is one of the major limitations to soybean production worldwide, yet the genetic basis of drought-responsive mechanisms in crops remains poorly understood. In order to study the gene expression patterns in leaves and roots of soybean, two contrasting genotypes, Embrapa 48 (drought-tolerant) and BR 16 (drought-sensitive), were evaluated under moderate and severe water deficit. Transcription factors from the AP2/EREBP and WRKY families were investigated. Embrapa 48 showed 770 more up-regulated genes than BR 16, in eight categories. In general, leaves presented more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) than roots. Embrapa 48 responded to water deficit faster than BR 16, presenting a greater number of DEGs since the first signs of drought. Embrapa 48 exhibited initial modulation of genes associated with stress, while maintaining the level of the ones related to basic functions. The genes expressed exclusively in the drought-tolerant cultivar, belonging to the category of dehydration responsive genes, and the ones with a contrasting expression pattern between the genotypes are examples of important candidates to confer tolerance to plants. Finally, this study identified genes of the AP2/EREBP and WRKY families related to drought tolerance.

ABSTRACT. The conservation of okra landraces [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] in gene banks is essential for the success of their use in breeding programmes. This study evaluated the genetic diversity among okra landraces in Brazil based on morphoagronomic descriptors and AFLP markers. We studied 30 accessions of the vegetable gene bank of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa. To this end, 17 morphoagronomic descriptors and five combinations of AFLP primers were used. Genetic parameters were estimated for the quantitative traits and the accessions were grouped by Ward’s method, using the Gower’s and Jaccard’s distance measures, respectively, for the morphoagronomic and molecular data. Polymorphisms were observed for all qualitative traits, while the quantitative traits were significant by deviance analysis. The genetic parameters confirmed the existence of variability among accessions, and high accuracy and heritability indices were found for the traits related to fruit and plant height. Ward’s grouping showed no relationship between the clusters formed with the morphoagronomic and molecular data and the geographical origin of the accessions. No association between morphoagronomic descriptors and AFLP markers was observed. The lack of correlation suggests that both approaches of characterization are important to understand and differentiate the okra accessions.

ABSTRACT Maize is one of the species with greater genetic diversity among cereals and possibly the most diverse crop species known. Accessing this variability is essential for maize breeding, allowing breeders to achieve progress of yield increasing, overcome environmental challenges or deal with pests and diseases. Among the maize diseases, southern rust is one of the most important, causing significant losses in yield and presenting severe epidemics worldwide. In the present study, the AFLP technique was applied to analyze population structure and genetic diversity among 145 tropical maize inbred lines, and to test for preliminary evidence of association between AFLP markers and the reaction to southern rust. Disease severity was evaluated in two crop seasons and the accessions were genotyped through AFLP using four primer combinations. The clusters obtained based on the Jaccard genetic distance and Ward’s hierarchical clustering and those achieved by structure simulations had high concordance and were capable of establish two big clusters, one predominantly of common maize and another of popcorn. The association analysis was performed using four different statistical models. The more complete model containing both population structure and genetic relatedness narrowed the number of significant associations, demonstrating its importance to control false associations. A total of 19 significant marker associations were identified from which three (EactMctg18, EactMctg205, EactMctg169) are interesting candidates for further investigations.

Resumo O feijão-vagem (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é uma leguminosa economicamente importante em todo o mundo, devido à sua boa qualidade nutricional, considerada fonte de proteínas, fibras, vitaminas e minerais. Além disso, esta hortaliça apresenta altos níveis de compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante, fatores que contribuem para a prevenção contra os efeitos de oxidação por radicais livres. Assim, o presente estudo caracterizou cinco genótipos de feijão-vagem (UEL 1, UEL 2, UEL 405, UEL 415 e Alessa) em relação à concentração de aminoácidos, ao teor de compostos fenólicos totais e à atividade antioxidante. A análise de aminoácidos indicou que os genótipos UEL 415 e UEL 2 apresentaram as maiores concentrações de ácido glutâmico e histidina, com 12,9 e 2,27 g/ 100 g, respectivamente. No entanto, apenas o genótipo UEL 1 apresentou as maiores concentrações de compostos fenólicos totais (0,492 mg GAE / 100 g) e a capacidade antioxidante por captura de radicais DPPH• (64,71%). Os genótipos UEL 1, UEL 2 e UEL 415 apresentaram características desejáveis para o programa de melhoramento genético de feijão e exploração comercial por indústrias de alimentos.

Abstract The snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an economically important legume worldwide due to its good nutritional quality, being considered as a source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, snap beans present high phenolic compound levels and antioxidant activity, factors that contribute in the prevention of the oxidation effects by free radicals. Hence, the present study characterized five snap bean genotypes (UEL 1, UEL 2, UEL 405, UEL 415 and Alessa) with respect to their amino acid concentrations, total phenolic compound contents and antioxidant activities. The amino acid analysis indicated that UEL 415 showed the highest glutamic acid content (12.9 g / 100 g) and UEL 2 the highest histidine content (2.27 g / 100 g). However, only the UEL 1 genotype showed the highest total phenolic compound content (0.492 mg GAE / 100 g) and highest antioxidant activity according to DPPH• radical scavenging (64.71%). The UEL 1, UEL 2 and UEL 415 genotypes presented desirable chemical characteristics for genetic improvement programmes and their commercial exploitation by food industries.

ABSTRACT The Azospirillum is considered one of the most studied plant growth promoter genus. These bacteria are capable of promoting plant growth through several factors. However, the effect of Azospirillum spp. associated to nitrogen fertilization on maize grain yield has brought about controversial results. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the influence of topdressing nitrogen on the effect of Azospirillum spp. inoculation on maize crops through meta-analysis. Data were collected from articles published in scientific journals, obtained from the Web of Science®, Scopus® and Google Scholar® databases. The bibliographic review included only articles with direct comparisons between maize yield in the presence and absence of Azospirillum spp. under field conditions in Brazil. The meta-analysis of the random effects was carried out using all entries. Subgroup and meta-regression analysis were realized to verify the influence of nitrogen fertilization on the explanation of the possible heterogeneity among effect measures. Maize inoculation with Azospirillum spp. showed an average yield increase of 651.58 kg·ha-1, considering all trials, and of 1034.28 kg·ha-1 considering only the trials without topdressing nitrogen. There was no significant increase in grain yield when inoculation with bacteria from the Azospirillum genus was realized together with nitrogen fertilization, indicating that such technologies are non-additive.

ABSTRACT The grains of food-type soybean cultivars, which are characterized by the absence of lipoxygenases and the presence of high levels of proteins and isoflavones, are regarded as functional foods with high acceptance by consumers. However, few cultivars of food-type soybeans are currently available in the Brazilian market. The aim of this work was to study the adaptability and stability of various genotypes of food-type soybeans and to compare the performance of methods, which are based on analysis of variance, non-parametric, regression, multivariate and mixed models. Ten lines of food-type soybeans obtained from the Breeding Program of Soybeans for Human Consumption of the State University of Londrina (UEL/BPSHC) and two commercial varieties, the foodtype cultivar BRS 257 and the cultivar BMX Potência RR, were evaluated in the counties of Londrina, Guarapuava, Ponta Grossa and Pato Branco, Paraná, Brazil, during the two sowing seasons of the harvest of 2014/2015. The characteristic evaluated was grain yield. The adaptability parameters of Eberhart and Russel and Cruz methods showed high correlations with the Wricke model. The parameters provided by the analyses of Lins and Binns and REML/BLUP showed higher grain yield associations and moderated correlations with the Eskridge parameters. The AMMI offered the possibility of use in conjunction with the other methodologies. When yield, adaptability and stability were considered, the genotypes UEL 110, UEL 122, UEL 121 and UEL 123 demonstrated potential for the development of new cultivars of food-type soybeans in which lipoxygenases are absent.