RESUMO O milho doce é uma cultura com potencial para aumentar a renda de propriedades agrícolas. Dessa forma, os bioestimulantes podem contribuir para o aumento da produtividade do milho doce, sendo indicados e utilizados em diversas culturas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da aplicação do bioestimulante para a cultura do milho doce e estabelecer a dose ideal para aumentar as características agronômicas da cultura. O experimento foi instalado no município de Chapadão do Sul-MS, e foi realizado de 15 de novembro de 2012 a 19 de fevereiro de 2013. Os tratamentos foram compostos por oito doses de bioestimulantes (0,0, 4,0, 8,0, 12,0, 16,0, 20,0, 24,0 e 28,0 mL kg-1 de sementes), dispostas em delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As respostas das variáveis à melhor dose de bioestimulante foram 12,4, 15,3, 13,7, 12,4, 15,7, 16,4, 15,4 e 12,5 mL kg-1, respectivamente para altura da planta, altura da inserção da primeira espiga, diâmetro do colmo, população final, número de espigas por hectare, massa de espigas com e sem palha e índice de espigas. Considerando que a espiga com palha é a fonte de retorno econômico ao produtor, a dose de 16,4 mL kg-1 é a melhor indicação nessa condição.

ABSTRACT Sweet corn has potential to increase farmer’s income. Thus, biostimulants may contribute to increase productivity of sweet corn, being indicated and used in various crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of applying biostimulant on sweet corn crops and to establish the ideal dose aiming to increase the crop’s agronomic characteristics. The experiment was installed in the municipality of Chapadão do Sul-MS and was conducted from November 15, 2012 to February 19, 2013. Treatments were composed of eight biostimulant doses (0.0, 4.0, 8.0, 12.0, 16.0, 20.0, 24.0 and 28.0 mL kg-1 of seeds), arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The responses of the variables to the best dose of biostimulant were 12.4, 15.3, 13.7, 12.4, 15.7, 16.4, 15.4 and 12.5 mL kg-1, respectively for plant height, first ear insertion height, stem diameter, final population, number of ears per hectare, ear mass with and without straw and ear index. Considering that the ear with straw is the source of economic return to the producer, the dose of 16.4 mL kg-1 is the best indication in this condition.

Abstract In this study, research was performed on the interesterification reaction of cotton oil with methyl acetate, using potassium methoxide as catalyst, in the presence of ultrasonic waves. In order to obtain a better understanding of the process variables behavior, a response surface methodology was used along with statistical methods. The experiments were performed with molar ratio varying from 1:8 to 1:24, catalyst percentage of 0.1 to 1.3% (weight), ultrasonic nozzle amplitude varying from 30% to 90% (180 to 540 W) and vibration pulse varying from 50% to 90%. Process variables were optimized with the optimal molar ratio of 1:14.87, catalyst concentration of 1.17%, ultrasonic probe amplitude of 67.64% and vibration pulse of 67.30%. The average conversion of triglycerides was found to be 98.12% at the optimal conditions. The experimental data were adjusted to the second-order irreversible reaction approximation model, under optimized conditions, with temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 ºC. Lastly, in comparison to the conventional methodology, a significant increase of 14% of triglycerides conversion utilizing ultrasonic waves was observed.