Abstract The biological products use as a disease control alternative has been studied to reduce the impacts to the environment, men and animals, showing satisfactory results in postharvest. This study aimed to evaluate the biological agents effect in the control of Colletotrichum spp. and on postharvest quality of yellow passion fruit. The treatments were Trichoderma asperellum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae species at concentrations of of 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0 (g. L-1); Mancozeb fungicide (Dithane® 2 g i.a. L-1 water) and control (sterile distilled water). The fruits were immersed for 2 min in each treatment and then were drought. Five replications of three fruits were used to anthracnose severity analysis and yellow passion fruit physical-chemical quality in. The fruit inoculation was made with the deposition of Colletotrichum spp. on the surface of the fruit previously treated using holes which were made with the aid of a flamed perforator. In the research was evaluated: pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity. Biological treatments reduced the anthracnose severity in yellow passion fruit. Fruit Post-harvest quality was not influenced by the biological control application. It is a viable alternative to postharvest management of anthracnose on yellow passion fruit under the studied conditions.

Resumo O uso de produtos biológicos como alternativa no controle de doenças tem sido estudado para diminuir os impactos ao meio ambiente, aos homens e animais, mostrando resultados satisfatórios na pós-colheita. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de agentes biológicos no controle do Colletotrichum spp. e na qualidade pós-colheita em frutos de maracujazeiro-amarelo. Os tratamentos foram compostos por Trichoderma asperellum e Saccharomyces cerevisiae nas concentrações de 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0 (g. L-1); fungicida Mancozebe (Dithane® 2 g i.a. L-1 de água) e testemunha (água destilada esterilizada). Os frutos foram imersos durante 2 min em cada tratamento e, posteriormente, submetidos a secagem. Foram utilizadas cincorepetições de três frutos para as análises de severidade da doença e pós-colheita. Asvariáveis analisadas foram severidade da antracnose e qualidade química dos frutos. A inoculaçãodos frutos foi feita com a deposição de discos de micélio do Colletotrichum spp., e nasuperfície do fruto previamente tratado foram realizados orifícios com auxílio de um perfurador flambado.Foram avaliados os parâmetros químicos: pH, sólidos solúveis totais e acideztitulável. Os tratamentos biológicos reduziram a severidade da antracnose, e a qualidadepós-colheita dos frutos não foi influenciada pela aplicação do controle biológico. Ocontrole biológico constitui alternativa viável para o manejo pós-colheita da antracnose em maracujazeiro-amarelo, nas condições estudadas.

ABSTRACT Basil (Ocimum gratissimum - Lamiaceae), is a sub-shrub plant species with great economic importance for several regions, and studies on its growth, physiology, and reproduction become needed. The aimed research was to obtain a regression equation to estimate leaf area of O. gratissimum. 250 basil leaves were collected and the linear dimensions (length and width) and real leaf area of each leaf were measured. From these data, the products between length and width, length and length were calculated. Equations were obtained using regression models: linear, linear without intercept, quadratic, cubic, power, and exponential. The best equation was selected based on determination coefficient, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Willmott’s agreement index and CS index, Akaike information criterion, mean absolute error and root mean square error. All equations proposed using the product between length and width (LW) can be used to predict the leaf area of O. gratissimum. However, the equation LA=0.54*LW1.03 (power model) is the most recommended to estimate the leaf area of this species.

ABSTRACT Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) is an annual herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family that has economic importance for many regions around the world. Thus, ecophysiological studies are needed to assess this species growth and dispersal. This work aimed to obtain equations from regression models that meaningfully estimate the leaf area of basil cultivars using linear dimensions of leaves. For this purpose, 300 leaves from 'Italiano Roxo' and 500 leaves from 'Folha Fina' cultivar were collected from plants cultivated in a greenhouse. Then, the length, width, and leaf area of each leaf were measured, and product of length by width were calculated. The equations were adjusted using the simple linear, linear without intercept, quadratic, cubic, power, and exponential regression models. Criteria for selecting the best equations were highest determination coefficient and Willmott's agreement index, lowest Akaike information criterion and root mean square error, and BIAS index closest to zero. All the equations fitted using the product of length by width (L.W) can estimate the leaf area of basil cultivars. Thus, basil leaf area can be estimated through a non-destructive method using linear dimensions of leaves. However, the equation ŷ = 0.8175*LW0.9307 is the most suitable for 'Italiano Roxo' and ŷ = 0.6335*LW for 'Folha Fina'.

RESUMO A luz solar influencia diretamente no desenvolvimento das espécies florestais, afetando os atributos de crescimento e fisiologia das plantas. Dentre essas espécies, Erythroxylum pauferrense Plowman é considerada uma espécie rara, pois sua distribuição é restrita apenas ao estado da Paraíba. Diante disso, são necessários estudos que busquem avaliar a adaptação, desenvolvimento e propagação da espécie em diferentes condições ambientais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos morfofisiológicos de mudas de Erythroxylum pauferrense submetidas a diferentes níveis de sombreamento. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (0, 30, 50, 70 e 90% de sombreamento) e oito repetições. Foram avaliadas as características de crescimento, atributos morfofuncionais, trocas gasosas, fluorescência da clorofila (Chl) a e teor de Chl. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância seguida de análise de regressão polinomial. Os resultados mostraram que as plantas cultivadas sob 30 a 50% de sombreamento apresentaram maior altura da planta, diâmetro do caule, taxa de crescimento absoluto para altura da planta, massa seca da folha, massa seca do caule, massa seca total, índice de qualidade de Dickson, área foliar e índice de área foliar, bem como a taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2, condutância estomática, transpiração, eficiência instantânea do uso da água e conteúdo de Chl a, b e a+b. Portanto, níveis de 30 a 50% de sombreamento são os mais recomendados para a produção de mudas de Erythroxylum pauferrense. Recomenda-se o uso de Erythroxylum pauferrense para reflorestar o sub-bosque em áreas perturbadas nos Brejos de Altitude e a produção em larga escala de mudas em níveis de 30 a 50% de sombreamento.

ABSTRACT Sunlight directly influences on the development of forest species by affecting the attributes of plant growth and physiology. Among these species, Erythroxylum pauferrense Plowman is considered a rare species, as its distribution is restricted only to the state of Paraíba. Therefore, studies are needed that seek to evaluate the adaptation, development and propagation of the species under different environmental conditions. This study aimed to evaluate morphophysiological aspects of Erythroxylum pauferrense seedlings submitted to different levels of shading. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse condition in a completely randomized design with five treatments (0, 30, 50, 70, and 90% shading) and eight replicates. Growth characteristics, morphofunctional attributes, gas exchange, chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence, and Chl content were evaluated. Data were submitted to analysis of variance followed by polynomial regression analysis. Results showed that plants grown under 30 to 50% shading showed higher plant height, stem diameter, absolute growth rate for plant height, leaf dry mass, stem dry mass, total dry mass, Dickson’s quality index, leaf area, and leaf area index, as well as net assimilation rate of CO2, stomatal conductance, transpiration, instantaneous water use efficiency, and Chl a, b, and a+b contents. Therefore, levels from 30 to 50% shading are the most recommended for the production of Erythroxylum pauferrense seedlings. We recommend using Erythroxylum pauferrense to reforest the understory in disturbed areas in Brejos de Altitude and large-scale production of seedlings under intermediate levels of shading.

Abstract Climatic variation throughout the day influences the ecophysiological performance of plants at different growth stages and phases. Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the effect of climatic variation on ecophysiological aspects of T. roseoalba and H. heptaphyllus at different hours of the day and indicate the ideal time for measuring ecophysiological variables in these species. The research was carried out in a greenhouse at the forest nursery of the Federal University of Paraíba, Campus II, in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba state, Northeastern Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized, consisting of 10 evaluation times throughout the day (from 8 am to 5 pm), with 1 h hour interval between each evaluation. Temperature and air relative humidity inside and outside the greenhouse were evaluated to understand the effect on gas exchange (net assimilation rate of CO2, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, internal concentration of CO2, and vapor-pressure deficit) and chlorophyll a fluorescence (initial, maximum, and variable fluorescence, photochemical quenching, and electron transport rate). Data were submitted to canonical correlation analysis and principal component analysis to verify the relationship between climatic and ecophysiological variables. For both species, higher correlation was found between internal and external relative humidity with all the ecophysiological variables analyzed, except for initial fluorescence. Thus, climatic factors influenced the photosynthetic performance of T. roseoalba and H. heptaphyllus plants, and 8 am to 9 am is indicated for carrying out ecophysiological evaluations in both species.

Abstract: Background and Aims: Determining the leaf area is essential for studies on growth, propagation, and ecophysiology of forest species. Developing quick, practical, and accurate methods is needed to estimate leaf area without destroying leaves. Therefore, this research aimed to obtain an equation from regression models that meaningfully estimate the leaf area of Erythroxylum pauferrense using linear dimensions of its leaf blades. Methods: For this purpose, 1200 leaves were randomly collected from different plants in the Mata do Pau-Ferro, a state park located in Areia city, Paraíba state, Brazil. Equations were fitted from simple linear, linear without intercept, quadratic, cubic, power, and exponential regression models. Next, the best equation was selected by checking the following assumptions: higher determination coefficient (R²) and Willmott's index (d), lower Akaike information criterion (AIC) and root mean square error (RMSE), as well as the BIAS index closest to zero. Key results: Based on the criteria used, all equations fitted using the product of length by width (L.W) can estimate the leaf area of E. pauferrense. Conclusions: The equation ŷ=0.6740*LW from the linear model without intercept significantly estimates the leaf area of E. pauferrense in a quick and practical way (R²=0.9960; d=0.9953; AIC=1231.61; RMSE=0.4255; BIAS=-0.0130).

Resumen: Antecedentes y Objetivos: La determinación del área foliar es esencial para los estudios sobre crecimiento, propagación y ecofisiología de especies forestales. Es necesario desarrollar métodos rápidos, prácticos y precisos para estimar el área de la hoja sin destruir las hojas. Por lo tanto, esta investigación tuvo como objetivo obtener una ecuación a partir de modelos de regresión que estimen significativamente el área foliar de Erythroxylum pauferrense, utilizando dimensiones lineales de sus láminas foliares. Métodos: Para este propósito, se recolectaron al azar 1200 hojas de diferentes plantas en Mata do Pau-Ferro, un parque estatal ubicado en la ciudad de Areia, estado de Paraíba, Brasil. Las ecuaciones se ajustaron a partir de modelos de regresión lineal simple, lineal sin intercepción, cuadrática, cúbica, de potencia y exponencial. Luego, se seleccionó la mejor ecuación verificando los siguientes supuestos: coeficiente de determinación más alto (R²) e índice de Willmott (d), criterio de información de Akaike más bajo (AIC) y error cuadrático medio (RMSE), así como el índice BIAS más cercano a cero. Resultados clave: Basado en los criterios utilizados, todas las ecuaciones ajustadas usando el producto de largo por ancho (L.W) pueden estimar el área foliar de E. pauferrense. Conclusiones: La ecuación ŷ=0.6740*LW del modelo lineal sin intercepción estima significativamente el área foliar de E. pauferrense de una manera rápida y práctica (R²=0.9960; d=0.9953; AIC=1231.61; RMSE=0.4255; BIAS=-0.0130).