Resumen El cacao es una planta típica del clima tropical y requiere abundante agua. Por lo tanto, en períodos de déficit hídrico, la necesidad de riego suplementario puede influir en el desarrollo de los cultivos. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar el clima y evaluar la necesidad de riego suplementario para los cultivos de cacao en la región sur del estado de Bahía (Brasil). Para esta investigación, se obtuvieron datos históricos (2001-2017) de las variables climáticas, que están disponibles en la estación meteorológica de la Comisión Ejecutiva para la Planificación del Cultivo del Cacao (CEPLAC), ubicada en el sur de Bahía. Con la base de datos completa, se calculó el valor mensual de cada variable y se sometió a un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Posteriormente, los valores medios de lluvia y temperatura del aire se usaron para calcular la evapotranspiración potencial. Luego, se calculó el balance hídrico climatológico, definiendo los períodos de déficit y exceso de agua y si el riego suplementario era necesario o no, con base en el déficit hídrico mensual total. En general, la región tenía un clima favorable para el desarrollo del cacao. Sin embargo, este patrón no continuó a lo largo de la serie histórica de datos climatológicos, que mostró discontinuidad temporal, especialmente en febrero. Los principales meses que requirieron riego suplementario para el cultivo de cacao cultivado en el sur de Bahía fueron febrero y diciembre.

Abstract Cacao is a typical plant of a tropical climate and demands ample water. Thus, in periods of water deficit, the need for supplementary irrigation can influence crop development. This study aimed to characterize the climate and evaluate the need for supplementary irrigation for cacao crops in the south of the state of Bahia (Brazil). For this research, historical data (2001-2017) for climate variables were obtained that are available at the weather station of the Executive Commission for Cacao Cultivation Planning (CEPLAC), located in southern Bahia. With the complete database, the monthly values for each variable were calculated and subjected to descriptive statistical analyses. Subsequently, the mean values for rainfall and air temperature were used to calculate potential evapotranspiration. The climatological water balance was then calculated, defining the periods of water deficit and surplus and whether supplementary irrigation was necessary or not, based on the total monthly water deficit. Overall, the region had a favorable climate for the development of cacao. However, this pattern did not continue throughout the historical series of climatic data, which showed temporal discontinuity, especially in February. The main months requiring supplementary irrigation for the cultivation of cacao grown in southern Bahia were February and December.

Resumo O teste de deterioração controlada é eficiente para avaliar o vigor de sementes de diversas espécies. No entanto, as condições para realização desse teste são incipientes, principalmente quando se trata de forrageiras tropicais, como é o caso da crotalária, cujas informações sobre a adequação do teste ainda são escassas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi adequar os procedimentos para a execução do teste de deterioração controlada para sementes de Crotalaria juncea L. Para tanto, cinco lotes de sementes comerciais foram avaliados quanto ao teor de água e potencial fisiológico inicial (teste de germinação, primeira contagem, índice de velocidade de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de NaCl, condutividade elétrica e emergência de plântulas em campo). Para o teste de deterioração controlada, o teor de água inicial das sementes foi ajustado para 18, 21 e 24% e, posteriormente, as amostras foram expostas a 45 °C durante 24 horas, postas para germinar entre areia, e avaliadas aos quarto, quinto e sexto dias após a semeadura. O teste de deterioração controlada em crotalária deve ser conduzido com sementes contendo 24% de teor de água, a 45 °C, durante 24 horas e a leitura realizada aos quatro dias após a semeadura.

The controlled deterioration test is efficient for seed vigor evaluation of several species. However, the procedures conditions are incipient, especially in respect to tropical forages such as sunn hemp, which still does not have a standardized procedure. The objective of this research was to adjust the procedures for a controlled deterioration test in Crotalaria juncea L. seeds. For this, five commercial seed lots were evaluated for water content and initial physiological potential (germination test, first germination count, germination speed index, saturated salt accelerated aging with NaCl, electrical conductivity and seedling field emergence). For controlled deterioration test, the initial seed moisture content was adjusted to 18, 21 and 24% and, subsequently, the samples were exposed at 45 °C during 24 hours. Seed germination test was conducted with the use of sand as substrate. Evaluations were performed on the fourth, fifth and sixth day after sowing. The controlled deterioration test for sunn hemp seeds should be performed with 24% seed moisture content, at 45 °C during 24 hours, and the test evaluation on the fourth day after sowing.