ABSTRACT Brazilian semi-arid tropical is responsible for the production and export of fine table grapes, but the demand for phosphate fertilizers and other agricultural inputs increases the cost of production and threatens local water bodies by leaching of phosphorus (P). The objectives of this study were to quantify the organic and inorganic fractions of P and to determine chemical and microbiological attributes related to its mineralization in soils cultivated with vines in São Francisco Valley. It was hypothesized that P fractions and microbial activity would increase in areas fertilized with phosphate. Soil samples from vines were collected in cultivated areas and in fallow systems. P fractionation, macro-elements analysis, microbial biomass phosphorus (Pmic), and phosphatase enzyme activity were determined and correlated with each other and with the total proportion of synthesized glomalin. In both treatments, the inorganic P fractions exceeded the organic ones, and the total phosphorus available in those soils was associated with the most recalcitrant fractions, reducing risks of leaching of this element and contamination of water bodies. Pmic was higher in the winery areas due to the presence of phosphate fertilizers and organic matter, hence the activity of alkaline phosphatase enzymes and the production of total glomalin increased respectively in three and four evaluated areas, indicating that P-mineralized bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have been positively affected by the current agricultural system.

ABSTRACT Biochar is a material produced by the pyrolysis of agro-industrial waste, which has become one of the most promising management tools to improve soil quality. The aim was to determine the effects of incorporating biochar from different coffee wastes in sandy soil, cropped with maize, on soil chemical and microbial attributes. The experiment followed a factorial design 2 × 3 + 1 with two types of biochar, including coffee ground (CG) or coffee husk (CH) in 3 doses (4, 8, and 16 t·ha-1) and a control fertilized solely with bovine manure (3 t·ha-1). The variables analyzed were soil organic carbon, chemical attributes, microbial biomass (C, N and P), soil basal respiration and microbial gene abundance (16S rRNA, 18S rRNA and nifH gene). Most chemical attributes were strongly increased by CH application, while CG at 8 t·ha-1 increased the soil C:N ratio (3.5 times), P (2.1 times) and K+ (7.9 times) and at 4 t·ha-1 increased the C content, microbial biomass C and N (3, 2.1 and 1.6 times, respectively). The application of CG biochar at 16 t·ha-1 showed trend to increase the abundance of bacteria, fungi and diazotrophic genes (11, 10 and 2%, respectively). Contribution of both coffee biochar types, but mainly CH, was more effective than the soil that received organic manure alone. Biochar from coffee wastes is a promising tool to improve sandy soil quality.

RESUMO A podridão negra da mandioca causada por Scytalidium lignicola vem se tornando uma doença importante para os estados produtores devido a grandes perdas de produção. Por isso o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de fontes e doses de matéria orgânica isolada e adicionada a solo arenoso sob a supressividade do crescimento micelial de S. lignicola CMM 1098. Foram realizados dois experimentos o primeiro foi visando avaliar o efeito dos extratos de materiais orgânico (cama de aviário, esterco caprino, bovino e húmus de minhoca) incorporados ao meio de cultura batata-dextrose-ágar (BDA) nas concentrações (10, 20, 30 e 40%) (v/v) e o segundo foi avaliar o efeito dos materiais orgânicos misturados com solo arenoso com as mesmas fontes e doses. A fonte cama de aviário foi a mais eficiente em inibir o crescimento micelial de S. lignicola a uma dose 40%, com uma inibição do crescimento micelial de 69,75% apenas quando os extratos não foram autoclavados. Cama de aviário não autoclavado nas doses igual ou superior a 30% foi eficiente na supressividade do crescimento micelial de S. lignicola CMM 1098. Solo arenoso não autoclavados adicionado à fontes e doses de matéria orgânica são altamente eficientes na supressividade do crescimento de S. linicola CMM 1098.

ABSTRACT Cassava root rot caused by Scytalidium lignicola has become an important disease for producing states due to large production losses. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sources and levels of organic matter alone and added to sandy soil under suppressiveness to S. lignicola CMM 1098 mycelial growth. Two experiments were conducted, the first one was to evaluate the effect of organic extracts (poultry litter, goat manure, cattle and earthworm excrements) added to the culture medium potato dextrose agar (PDA) at different concentrations (10, 20, 30 and 40%) (v / v), while the second experiment was to evaluate the effect of organic materials mixed with sandy soil, using the same sources and concentrations. The source poultry litter was most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of S. lignicola at a concentration of 40%, inhibiting the mycelial growth by 69.75% only when extracts were not autoclaved. Non-autoclaved poultry litter at levels starting from 30% was efficient in suppressing S. lignicola CMM 1098 mycelial growth. Non-autoclaved sandy soil added to different sources and levels of organic matter is highly efficient for suppressiveness to S. lignicola CMM 1098 growth.

RESUMO O feijão caupi, [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] tem uma grande importância em virtude do elevado teor proteico e energético na alimentação humana. Dentre as principais doenças da cultura do feijão, destaca-se a antracnose, causada pelo desenvolvimento do fungo hpsColletotrichum lindemuthianumhps. A indução de resistência torna-se uma alternativa para controle desse micro-organismo, entre os indutores mais utilizados, destaca-se o acibenzolar-S-metil (ASM). Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do ASM em feijão caupi no controle da antracnose, causada pelo fungo hpsColletotrichum lindemuthianumhps URM 5771, bem como a ativação de enzimas relacionadas à patogenicidade. O estudo foi conduzido em casa de vegetação e os tratamentos foram dispostos em um esquema de delineamento inteiramente casualizado, sendo cinco tratamentos (Tratamento 1 - 0,15g L-1; Tratamento 2 - 0,30g L-1; Tratamento 3 - 0,45g L-1 e Tratamento 4 - 0,60g L-1), incluindo o controle (apenas água) e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos com maiores doses do ASM proporcionaram maior atividade enzimática e consequentemente maior resistência às plantas de feijão caupi.

ABSTRACT Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] is of great importance due to its high protein and energy content for human diet. Among the major diseases of bean culture is anthracnose, caused by the development of the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Resistance induction becomes an alternative to control this microorganism; among the most commonly used inducers is acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM). Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate ASM efficiency in controlling anthracnose in cowpea, which is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum URM 5771, as well as the activation of enzymes related to its pathogenicity. The study was conducted in a greenhouse and treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design, constituting 5 treatments (Treatment 1 - 0.15g L-1; Treatment 2 - 0.30g L-1; Treatment 3 - 0.45g L-1 and Treatment 4 - 0.60g L-1), including control (water only) and four replicates. Treatments with higher ASM levels provided higher enzymatic activity and, consequently, greater resistance to cowpea plants.

Abstract Different responses are observed in plants after infection by pathogens. The usage of systemic inducers, whether biotic or abiotic, has the function to increase the enzymatic production of the plant defense system. In that sense, our present research aims to evaluate the disease severity of anthracnose in the cowpea cultivar “sempre-verde” infected with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum URM 5771 and subjected to both biotic and abiotic resistance inducers, as well as evaluate the enzymatic activity of plant defense. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse with a completely randomized split-plot design with six treatments: four abiotic plant resistance inducers, acibenzolar-S-methyl, β-aminobutyric acid, chitosan, and salicylic acid; one biotic inducer, the filamentous fungi Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158; and a control with only water. The plant leaves were sampled at four time points, 4, 8, 12 and 20 days after inoculation with the plant pathogen, to measure the enzymatic activity of β-1,3-glucanase, catalase, peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase, and protease. The abiotic inducers acibenzolar-S-methyl, β-aminobutyric acid, and chitosan and the biotic inducer presented the highest potential in reducing the anthracnose caused by C. lindemuthianum URM 5771 in cowpea plants by showing the lowest values of injury severity over time. The disease progression showed a proportionate shift in enzymatic activity in that the inducers salicylic acid and T. aureoviride URM 5158 promoted the highest enzymatic activity when compared to the other inducers. High correlations between the enzymatic activity of peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase and anthracnose severity were observed in cowpea plants. The use of abiotic and biotic resistance inducers presents high potential for anthracnose control in cowpea plants; however, more studies should be carried out covering different environments, plant cultivars and climatic conditions.

Resumen Se observan diferentes respuestas en la planta después de la infección por patógenos. El uso de inductores sistémicos ya sean bióticos o abióticos tiene la función de aumentar la producción enzimática del sistema de defensa de la planta. En ese sentido, nuestra presente investigación tiene como objetivo evaluar la severidad de la enfermedad en plantas de caupí cultivares “sempre-verde” infectadas con Colletotrichum lindemuthianum URM 5771, el agente de la antracnosis, y sometidas a inductores de resistencia tanto bióticos como abióticos, así como estimular la enzimática actividad de defensa de planta. El experimento se realizó en invernadero con un diseño de parcelas divididas completamente aleatorizado en el tiempo, con seis tratamientos: cuatro inductores de resistencia de plantas abióticas acibenzolar-S-metilo, ácido β-aminobutírico, quitosano y ácido salicílico, un inductor biótico, los hongos filamentosos Trichoderma aureoviride URM 5158, y un control con solo agua. Las hojas de la planta se muestrearon en cuatro puntos de tiempo, 4, 8, 12 y 20 días después de la inoculación del patógeno de la planta, para medir la actividad enzimática de la β-1,3-glucanasa, la catalasa, la peroxidasa, la polifenoloxidasa y la proteasa. Los inductores abióticos acibenzolar-S-metil, β-aminobutírico, quitosano y el inductor biótico presentaron el mayor potencial para reducir la antracnosis causada por C. lindemuthianum URM 5771 en las plantas de caupí al mostrar los valores más bajos en la escala de severidad de las lesiones a lo largo del tiempo. La progresión de la enfermedad proporcionó un cambio en la actividad enzimática donde los inductores de ácido salicílico y T. aureoviride URM 5158 promovieron la actividad enzimática más alta en comparación con los otros inductores. Se observaron altas correlaciones entre la actividad enzimática de la peroxidasa y la polifenoloxidasa y la severidad de la antracnosis en las plantas de caupí. El uso de inductores de resistencia abióticos y bióticos presenta un alto potencial para la lucha contra la antracnosis en las plantas de caupí, sin embargo, se deben realizar más estudios que cubran diferentes ambientes, variedades de plantas y condiciones climáticas.

RESUMO Os micro-organismos promotores do crescimento de plantas vêm sendo estudados como uma importante ferramenta para o aumento da produção agrícola. Lactuca sativa (alface) é a hortaliça folhosa mais consumida em todo mundo. Inúmeros micro-organismos podem atuar de forma benéfica no crescimento desta cultura. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de isolados de Trichoderma e Pseudomonas sp. na biomassa microbiana, atividades enzimáticas em solo arenoso e produção da alface cultivada com alface. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado com dez repetições, sendo os tratamentos: CONT (controle absoluto); CM (controle apenas com a fertilização); CMB (com fertilização e Pseudomonas sp.); CMF (com fertilização e T. aureoviride) e CMBF (com fertilização e os dois micro-organismos combinados). A fertilização utilizada foi a orgânica pela adição de esterco bovino em dose recomendada para a cultura. Avaliou-se a produção de alface, a biomassa microbiana e a atividade enzimática da fostafase ácida, fosfatase alcalina e urease. A aplicação CMBF foi eficiente para o aumento na produção de alface, pois incrementou 85% da produção da cv. Verônica em solo arenoso. O uso combinado de micro-organismos promotores de crescimento de plantas incrementam a biomassa microbiana. Recomenda-se o uso de T. aureoviride URM 5158 e Pseudomonas sp. UAGF 14 no cultivo de alface, pois além de melhorar a produção, melhora a qualidade bioquímica dos solos mensurados por atividades enzimáticas absolutas e específicas por unidade de biomassa microbiana.

ABSTRACT Plant growth promoter microorganisms have been studied as important tools for increasing crop production. Lettuce is the most consumed hardwood crop in the world. Numerous microorganisms are capable of acting in a beneficial way in the growth of this culture. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Trichoderma and Pseudomonas on the microbial biomass, enzymatic activities in sandy soil and lettuce production. The experimental design was completely randomized with ten replicates and treatments: CONT (absolute control); CM (control with cattle manure fertilization); CMB (with fertilization and Pseudomonas sp.); CMF (with fertilization and T. aureoviride) and CMBF (with fertilization and the two microorganisms combined). The fertilizer used was organic with cattle manure in a dose recommended for the culture. This study evaluated the production of lettuce, microbial biomass and the enzymatic activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and urease. The combined application of CMBF was efficient in increasing lettuce production, because it increased 85% of the cv. Veronica cultivated on sandy soil. The combined use of plant growth promoting microorganisms resulted to an increase in microbial biomass. In lettuce crops, it is recommended to use T. aureoviride URM 5158 and Pseudomonas sp. UAGF 14 in lettuce crops, because improved lettuce production, improves the biochemical quality of soils measured by absolute and specific enzymatic activities per unit of microbial biomass.

RESUMO O milho é um importante cereal muito utilizado no mundo, tanto como alimentação para humanos como para animais. O nitrogênio (N) é um nutriente requerido em grande quantidade pelo milho, e os solos são limitantes em atender essa necessidade. As leguminosas nodulantes podem ser utilizadas como fonte de Nitrogênio, por formarem associações simbióticas com bactérias capazes de fixar N atmosférico, outra importante fonte desse nutriente é o esterco bovino, utilizado largamente na agricultura. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito do uso de leguminosas e esterco bovino na produção e qualidade microbiana e bioquímica do solo cultivado com milho. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcela sub-subdividida [(2x4) +2], sendo duas leguminosas (feijão guandu anão e feijão macassar), quatro doses de esterco bovino (0, 20, 40 e 60 t ha-1), mais dois tratamentos controle um com adubação mineral e outro sem o emprego de adubos. O tratamento utilizando a dose 60 t ha-1 de esterco com a leguminosa Guandu anão apresentou maior produção de massa seca por planta. O aumento das doses de esterco foi diretamente proporcional ao comprimento e peso das espigas para as duas leguminosas. As atividades enzimáticas responderam às diferentes doses e leguminosas, com maiores resultados na dose de 60 t ha-1 com a leguminosa macassar. O uso de leguminosa com esterco melhorou a produção de milho e a qualidade microbiológica e bioquímica dos solos.

ABSTRACT Maize is an important cereal and it is widely consumed in the world, both as food for humans and animals. Nitrogen (N) is a nutrient required in large quantities by maize, but unfortunately, soils are limited in meeting this need. Nodulating legumes can serve as a source of Nitrogen, because they are symbiotically associated with bacteria capable of fixing atmospheric N. Another important source of this nutrient is cattle manure, which is widely used in agriculture. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of using legumes and cattle manure on the production as well as the microbial and biochemical quality of the soil used for maize cultivation. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design, in a sub-subdivided plot scheme [(2x4) +2], two leguminous plants (pigeon pea and macassar bean), four doses of cattle manure (0, 20, 40 and 60 t ha-1) and two controls; one with mineral fertilization and the other cultivated without the use of fertilizers. Treatment using a manure dose of 60t ha-1 and pigeon pea legume, recorded higher dry mass production per plant. The increase in manure doses was directly proportional to the length and weight of the cobs for the two legumes. The enzymatic activities were affected by the different doses and legumes, with greater results being recorded at the 60 t ha-1 dose with the macassar legume. The use of legumes with manure improved maize production as well as the microbiological and biochemical quality of soils.

RESUMO A incorporação da matéria orgânica é usada no manejo de doenças causadas por patógenos habitantes do solo, mas existe uma lacuna no uso de resíduos de café na supressão de doenças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de fontes de matéria orgânica contra a podridão radicular da mandioca, causada por Fusarium solani CFF 109. A fertilização com resíduo de café (CR), esterco bovino (CM), húmus de minhoca (EE) e esterco caprino (GM) resultou na supressão da podridão radicular da mandioca. Os tratamentos CR e CM apresentaram alta redução na severidade da doença em mandioca. Houveram mudanças na estrutura da comunidade microbiana do solo pela incorporação de matéria orgânica, principalmente na população de fungos totais e bactérias Gram-negativa. O carbono orgânico total e magnésio são negativamente associados com a severidade da doença. O quociente microbiano, fosfatases alcalina e ácida foram positivamente e o biomarcador a-15:0 foi negativamente associado com a severidade da doença. Este estudo indica que resíduos agroindustriais podem ser reciclados para fornecer matéria orgânica e nutrientes com efeito para o manejo de doenças de plantas por suprimir patógenos habitantes do solo. Esta é a primeira evidência que o resíduo da indústria de café pode ser usado no manejo da podridão radicular da mandioca, causado por F. solani.

ABSTRACT The incorporation of organic matter has been used to manage of diseases caused by soilborne pathogen, but there is a gap in the use of coffee residues on disease supressiveness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of organic matter sources against cassava root rot caused by F. solani CFF109. Fertilization with coffee residue (CR), cattle manure (CM), earthworm excrements (EE) and goat manure (GM) resulted in suppression of cassava root rot. The treatments of CR and CM presented higher reduction in the cassava disease severity. There were changes in the soil microbial community structure by organic matter incorporation, mainly in total fungi and Gram-negative bacteria populations. The total organic carbon and magnesium are negatively associated with disease severity. The microbial quotient, alkaline and acid phosphatase activities were positively and the biomarker a-15:0 was negatively associated with disease severity. This study indicated that agro-industrial residues can be recycled for providing organic matter and nutrients with effect for management of plant diseases by suppressing soilborne pathogens. This is the first evidence that the industrial residue of coffee can be use in the management of cassava root rot, caused by F. solani.

RESUMO: O umbuzeiro é uma frutífera importante para o nordeste do Brasil porque está sendo utilizada em áreas de reflorestamento e tem potencial econômico. Entretanto, existe uma lacuna a respeito das técnicas de propagação desta cultura, etapa crucial para o bom desenvolvimento da planta. Nesse contexto, este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar os efeitos de substratos alternativos sobre o crescimento de porta-enxerto de umbuzeiro e sobre atributos de fertilidade e populações microbianas dessas misturas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com dez tratamentos: TA= solo + areia (1:1); A= areia; ECSC= esterco caprino + Plantmax(r) (1:3); EBSC= esterco bovino + Plantmax(r) (1:3); ECA= esterco caprino + areia (1:3); EBA= esterco bovino + areia(1:3); ECBSC= esterco caprino + esterco bovino + Plantmax(r) (1:1:3); ECBA = esterco caprino + esterco bovino + areia (1:1:3); HSC = húmus + Plantmax(r) (1:3) e HA = húmus + areia (1:3), com quatro repetições. A adição de resíduos promoveu uma melhoria na qualidade da produção de porta-enxerto de umbuzeiro, principalmente quando adicionados ao substrato comercial que é a base de matéria orgânica de origem vegetal e vermiculita expandida. Com a análise multivariada de agrupamento perceberam-se três grupos de similaridade. Recomenda-se a utilização de húmus de minhoca ou esterco caprino adicionado ao substrato comercial na produção de porta-enxerto de umbuzeiro.

ABSTRACT: The umbu is an important fruit for the northeast of Brazil because it is being used in reforestation areas and has great economic potential. However, there is a gap on propagation techniques of this culture that is a crucial step for the successful of plant development. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of alternative substrate on the growth of umbu rootstock, fertility attributes, and microbial populations of these mixtures.The experimental design was completely randomized with 10 treatments: TA = soil + sand (1:1); A = sand; ECSC = goat manure + Plantmax(r) (1:3); EBSC = manure + Plantmax(r) (1:3); ECA = goat manure + sand (1:3); EBA = manure + sand (1:3); ECBSC = manure + goat manure + Plantmax(r)(1:1:3); ECBA = manure + goat manure + sand (1:1:3); HSC = humus + Plantmax(r)(1:3) and HA = humus + sand (1:3),with four replications. The addition of residues promoted the quality of the umbu rootstock, especially when mixed with a commercial substrate composed of vegetable organic matter and expanded vermiculite. With multivariate clustering, three groups acknowledged a similarity between the substrate mixtures. The use of humus or goat manure mixed with the commercial substrate is recommended for the production of umbu rootstock.

Agroforestry systems are an alternative option for sustainable production management. These systems contain trees that absorb nutrients from deeper layers of the soil and leaf litter that help improve the soil quality of the rough terrain in high altitude areas, which are areas extremely susceptible to environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to characterize the stock and nutrients in litter, soil activity and the population of microorganisms in coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plantations under high altitude agroforestry systems in the semi-arid region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Samples were collected from the surface litter together with soil samples taken at two depths (0-10 and 10-20 cm) from areas each subject to one of the following four treatments: agroforestry system (AS), native forest (NF), biodynamic system (BS) and coffee control (CT).The coffee plantation had been abandoned for nearly 15 years and, although there had been no management or harvesting, still contained productive coffee plants. The accumulation of litter and mean nutrient content of the litter, the soil nutrient content, microbial biomass carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, basal respiration, microbial quotient, metabolic quotient and microbial populations (total bacteria, fluorescent bacteria group, total fungi and Trichoderma spp.) were all analyzed. The systems thatwere exposed to human intervention (A and BS) differed in their chemical attributes and contained higher levels of nutrients when compared to NF and CT. BS for coffee production at high altitude can be used as a sustainable alternative in the high altitude zones of the semi-arid region in Brazil, which is an area that is highly susceptible to environmental degradation.

Conduziu-se este trabalho, com o objetivo de avaliar a utilização de esterco caprino na composição de substratos para a formação de mudas de mamoeiro. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo cada parcela constituída por oito plantas. Os tratamentos constaram de misturas composta por: 100% plantmax; 50% terra, 25% plantmax, 25% de esterco bovino; 50% terra, 25% plantmax, 25% esterco caprino; 30% terra, 35% plantmax, 35% esterco bovino; 30% terra, 35% plantmax, 35% esterco caprino. As variáveis analisadas foram: altura de planta; diâmetro do colo; número de folhas, comprimento de raiz; matéria seca da parte aérea e matéria seca da raiz. Os dados demonstram que a mistura mais eficiente para a formação de mudas de mamoeiro foi de 30% terra, 35% Plantmax, 35% esterco caprino.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the utilization of goat manure in the substrate composition of papaya seedling formation. The experimental design used was of complete randomized blocks, with five treatments and four replications, and having eight plants per plot. The treatments consisted of substrate mixtures composed of: 100% Plantmax; 50% soil, 25% Plantmax, and 25% cattle manure; 50% soil, 25% Plantmax, and 25% goat manure; 30% soil, 35% Plantmax, and 35% cattle manure; 30% soil, 35% Plantmax, and 35% goat manure. Plant height and diameter, number of leaves per plant, root length, and shoot and root dry mass were evaluated. Substrate composed of 30% soil, 35% Plantmax, and 35% goat manure was most efficient for promoting growth.

Em função das características nutricionais e de rusticidade, o feijão-caupi tornou-se importante fonte de proteína na Região Nordeste do Brasil. O caupi se beneficia da fixação biológica de nitrogênio e pode receber parte do nitrogênio necessário para a cultura via simbiose, o que reduz os custos de produção. Um experimento em condições de casa-de-vegetação foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a diversidade de isolados de rizóbio de nódulos de caupi em solos do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Os nódulos foram coletados de raízes de Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., utilizada como planta-isca, sendo obtidos 304 isolados com características típicas de rizóbio. Embora todos os isolados tenham apresentado crescimento rápido e ácido em meio de cultivo, os isolados apresentaram elevada diversidade morfológica e foram agrupados em 18 grupos morfológicos. Não foi observada diferença de diversidade de isolados de rizóbio entre as diferentes amostras de solo analisadas.

As a result of it nutritional and rustic characteristics, cowpea has become an important source protein in the Northeast region of Brazil. Cowpea may benefit from biological nitrogen fixation and can receive part of the nitrogen needed for culture from symbiosis, which reduces the cost of production. An experiment in greenhouse conditions was carried out in order to assess the diversity of rhizobia isolates of the nodules of cowpea, in soils from Rio Grande do Norte State. The nodules were obtained from roots of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., a species used as trap plant; 304 isolates with typical rhizobial features were obtained. Although all isolates showed rapid and acid growth in the medium, the isolates showed high morphological diversity, forming 18 clusters. No diversity differences of rhizobial isolates were observed among the different soil samples studied.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, avaliar in vitro a atividade dos extratos alcoólicos de Senna alata (L.) Roxb. sobre Monosporascus cannonballus. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com esquema fatorial 3 x 6 + 1, sendo constituído por três partes da planta (caule, raiz e vagem), por seis concentrações (0,25; 0,50; 50; 75; 250; 500 ppm ) mais a testemunha, com quatro repetições por tratamento. As variáveis avaliadas foram: taxa de crescimento micelial (TCM), inibição do crescimento micelial (ICM) e área abaixo da curva do crescimento micelial (AACCM). A concentração de 500 ppm foi a mais eficiente, nas três partes vegetais avaliadas. O porcentual de inibição na referida concentração foi de 28,60%, 36,70% e 27,99% para caule, raiz e vagem respectivamente. Diante dos resultados, observa-se que os extratos de S. alata indicam um forte potencial de controle para o fungo Monosporascus cannonballus.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the activity in vitro of the ethanolic extracts of Senna alata (L.) Roxb. over Monosporascus cannonballus. The experimental design was entirely randomized with factorial scheme 3 x 7 + 1, being constituted by three parts of the plant (root, stalk and green bean) for six different concentrations (0.25; 0.50, 50, 75, 250,500 ppm) plus the control, with four repeatitons for treatment. The available variables were: rate of micelial growth (TCM), inhibition of the growth micelial (ICM) and area under the curve of the growth micelial (AACCM). The concentration of 500 ppm was the most efficient ,in the three available vegetal parts. The percentual of inhibition in the concentration was of 28.60%, 36.70% e 27.99% for stalk, root and green bean respectively. Before of the results, the extracts of S. alata display high control potential for Monosporascus cannonballus fungi.

O fungo Monosporascus cannonballus é um importante patógeno radicular que ocasiona a síndrome denominada colapso em cucurbitáceas. No presente trabalho, objetivou-se, avaliar os efeitos da cobertura de planta com agrotêxtil branco de 15 g m-2, sobre a densidade populacional de M. cannonballus, em solo cultivado com melancia [Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Matsu & Nakai]. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por utilização ou não do agrotêxtil e as subparcelas pelas épocas de coleta de solo (0, 12, 24, 36, 48 dias após o transplantio). As variáveis analisadas foram densidade de ascósporos, temperatura do solo e do ar. Não houve influência da utilização da cobertura de agrotêxtil perante a densidade de ascósporos de M. cannonballus, no solo cultivado com melancia, mesmo que tenha proporcionado redução nas temperaturas médias do ar e do solo, sendo uma alternativa eficaz de manejo, na produção da melancia Mickylee.

The fungus M. cannonballus is an important root pathogen that causes collapse in cucurbitaceas. The present work had as objective to evaluate the effect of the row cover with white polypropylene of 15 g m-2 on the population density of M.cannonballus in soil cultivated with watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Matsu & Nakai]. The experimental design was of randomized blocks using parcels subdivided scheme with three replications. The parcels consisted of use or not row cover and subparcelas through the time of soil collected (0, 12, 24, 36, 48 days after the transplanting). The variables evaluates were ascospores density, soil temperature and air temperature. There was not influence of the characteristics gotten for the row cover before the ascospores density of M. cannonballus, in the soils cultivated with watermelon and proportioning reduction of soil temperature means and air temperature means, being efficient alternative in the Mickylee watermelon production.