ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation systems and harvest frequencies on the cultivation of cactus pear. The study was conducted in the semi-arid region, in the municipality of Russas, CE, Brazil. The experiment was a split plot randomized block design, with four replications. Plots were represented by irrigation systems (surface drip, microsprinkler, Micro Spray Jet, and conventional sprinkler) and subplots by harvest frequencies (6, 9, 12, and 18 months). Cactus pear biomass production characteristics were evaluated. Most of the productive characteristics evaluated were influenced by harvest frequency and irrigation system. The harvest frequency of 12 months combined with conventional sprinkler system resulted in a total dry biomass production of 16,400 kg ha−1. The conventional sprinkler system showed the highest number of second-order cladodes (4.9 cladodes plant−1). The conventional sprinkler and Micro Spray Jet systems showed the highest values for various structural characteristics. For water use efficiency (WUE), the highest value was found at the frequency of six months (8.46 kg ha−1 mm−1). Regarding the effects of irrigation system on WUE, the highest values were observed with the conventional sprinkler system (8.20 kg ha−1 mm−1). The harvest frequency of 12 months combined with the conventional sprinkler system presents better results in the evaluated productive characteristics, mainly the cactus pear production by area.

RESUMO Investigamos o efeito do óleo essencial de Alpinia zerumbet sobre a qualidade e vida útil de filés de tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) armazenados sob refrigeração (10,0 ± 0,5 °C) durante 14 dias. Os tratamentos foram óleo essencial de A. zerumbet (OEA) a 0,75% v v-1 (OEA 0,75%) e 1,5% v v 1 (OEA 1,5%), além de um controle (sem OEA). A qualidade e vida útil das amostras foram determinadas por contagem psicrotrófica total (CPT) e parâmetros químicos (pH, bases nitrogenadas voláteis totais, composição centesimal e substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico - SRATB), nos dias zero, sete e 14 de armazenamento. O TPC diminuiu significativamente (p < 0,05) com óleo essencial de A. zerumbet a 1,5% por até sete dias de armazenamento. O tratamento contendo OEA a 0,75% resultou em menores valores de pH, SRTAB e BNV-T em comparação ao outro tratamento e ao controle. Portanto, o óleo essencial de A. zerumbet foi eficiente para prolongar a vida útil do filé de tambaqui por aproximadamente sete dias.

ABSTRACT We investigated the effect of Alpinia zerumbet essential oil on the quality and shelf life of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) fillets stored under refrigeration (10.0 ± 0.5 °C) for 14 days. The treatments were A. zerumbet essential oil at 0.75% v v-1 (AEO 0.75%), A. zerumbet essential oil at 1.5% v v-1 (AEO 1.5%) and a control (no essential oil). The sample quality and shelf life were determined by the total psychrotrophic count (TPC) and chemical parameters (pH, total volatile basic nitrogen, centesimal composition and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS) at zero, seven and 14 days of storage time. The TPC decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with an A. zerumbetessential oil level of 1.5% until seven days of storage. The concentration of A. zerumbet essential oil at 0.75% resulted in lower pH, TBARS, and TVBN values in comparison with the other treatment and the control. Thus, A. zerumbet essential oil was efficient in extending the shelf life of refrigerated tambaqui fillets up to approximately seven days.

RESUMO A adubação verde pode atribuir melhorias físicas, químicas e biológicas aos solos, porém, são escassas as informações de uso no nordeste brasileiro. Objetivou-se avaliar o ciclo fenológico e as produtividades de fitomassa de sete espécies de leguminosas. O trabalho foi conduzido durante o segundo semestre de 2015, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Aos 100 dias após semeadura (DAS) foram determinadas a altura das plantas, massa fresca (MFPA) e seca da parte aérea (MSPA), massa fresca (MFR) e seca da raiz (MSR). Avaliou-se também a germinação, florescimento e maturação das vagens. As maiores médias para MFPA foram obtidas pelas Crotalaria breviflora e Crotalaria mucronata, seguidas da Canavalia ensiformis. As mais produtivas para MSPA foram C. breviflora, C. ensiformis, C. mucronata, e Cajanus cajan Cv IAPAR 43. As maiores médias para MFR foram obtidas pelas C. breviflora e C. mucronata, seguidas do C. cajan Cv Fava Larga. A C. mucronata, C. cajan Cv IAPAR 43 e C. breviflora foram as espécies que obtiveram as maiores médias de MSR. A Crotalaria juncea, C. ensiformis e C. cajan Cv IAPAR 43 foram as espécies mais precoces em relação à floração, enquanto que C. cajan Cv Fava Larga foi a espécie mais tardia. C. juncea foi a mais precoce, entre todas as espécies estudadas, para a variável maturação das vagens. As espécies de leguminosas testadas obtiveram, durante o período de avaliação, resultados iniciais promissores, podendo atender as expectativas de produção de biomassa, além de contribuir para a sustentabilidade dos solos desta região.

ABSTRACT Green manure may lead to physical, chemical, and biological improvements to the soil. However, the information on its use in the Brazilian Northeast is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the phenological cycle and phytomass productivity of seven legume species. This study was conducted in the second semester of 2015 in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and four replications. Plant height, fresh mass of shoot (FMS), dry mass of shoot (DMS), fresh mass of root (FMR), and dry mass of root (DMR) were determined at 100 days after sowing. Germination, flowering, and pod maturation were also assessed. The highest averages of FMS were observed in Crotalaria breviflora and Crotalaria mucronata, followed by Canavalia ensiformis, whereas the highest averages of DMS were observed in C. breviflora, C. ensiformis, C. mucronata, and Cajanus cajan cv. IAPAR 43. The highest averages of FMR were obtained by C. breviflora and C. mucronata, followed by C. cajan cv. Fava Larga. The species C. mucronata, C. cajan cv. IAPAR 43, and C. breviflora presented the highest averages of DMR. In addition, C. juncea, C. ensiformis, and C. cajan cv. IAPAR 43 were the earlier species regarding flowering, while C. cajan cv. Fava Larga was the later species. C. juncea was the earliest among all studied species regarding pod maturation. The tested legume species obtained promising initial results during the assessment period, being able to meet the expectations of biomass production and contributing to soil sustainability in this region.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade acaricida de óleos essenciais de três espécies de plantas com concentrações intermediárias de 1,8-cineol contra o carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus . Dessa forma, cinco concentrações diferentes (100,0; 50,0; 25,0; 12,5; 6,2 mg/mL) de óleos essenciais de Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze , Ocimum gratissimum L. e Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm. foram avaliadas pelos testes de pacote de larvas e de imersão de adultos. Os óleos essenciais foram analisados pela cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectometria de massa (GC/MS) e cromatografia gasosa acoplada a detector de ionização de chama (GC-FID), sendo detectados 35,8, 24,7 e 24,0% de 1,8-cineol nos óleos de M. suaveolens, O. gratissimum e A. zerumbet , respectivamente. A concentração letal (CL50) de cada óleo essencial para larvas e fêmeas ingurgitadas foi calculada por meio da análise de Probit. Todos os óleos essenciais na concentração de 100,0 mg/mL apresentaram elevada eficácia (≥ 95,0%) sobre fêmeas ingurgitadas. Com relação as larvas, o óleo essencial de O. gratissimum (CL50 = 11,9 mg/mL) foi o mais potente, seguido pelos óleos de A. zerumbet (LC50 = 19,7 mg/mL) e M. suaveolens (LC50 = 51,6 mg/mL). Estes resultados demonstram que outros compostos interferem na eficácia de 1,8-cineol.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the acaricidal activity of essential oils from three species of plants with intermediary concentrations of 1,8-cineole against the tick species Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. For this purpose, five serial concentrations (100.0, 50.0, 25.0, 12.5, 6.2 mg/mL) of essential oils from Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntze, Ocimum gratissimum L. and Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B. L. Burtt & R. M. Sm. were used on larval packet and adult immersion tests. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), being detected 35.8, 24.7 and 24.0% of 1.8-cineol in the oils of M. suaveolens, O. gratissimum and A. zerumbet, respectively. The lethal concentration (LC 50) of each oil for larvae and engorged females was calculated through Probit analysis. All essential oils showed high efficacy (≥ 95.0%) on engorged females at the 100.0 mg/mL concentration. In regards to larvae, O. gratissimum (LC 50 = 11.9 mg/mL) was the most potent, followed by the A. zerumbet (LC50 = 19.7 mg/mL) and the M. suaveolens (LC50 = 51.6 mg/mL) essential oils. These results show that other compounds interfere with 1,8-cineole action.

Abstract The century-old mangrove crab Ucides cordatus Linnaeus, 1763 harvesting is a traditional activity of Northeastern Brazilian coastal communities, who use it as food, source of income and cultural reference. The extractivism and marketing of this crustacean is essential for the socio-economic development of the states of Maranhão, Piauí and Ceará. The aim of this study was to carry out the monitoring of harvesting and landing of the mangrove crab in Ilha Grande, PI. Interviews were conducted with crab gatherers and transporters to obtain information about harvesting, landed volume, market price and destination of commercialized crab. The main capture spots were located at the Maranhão part of the Parnaíba River Delta. Crab gatherers are active 5.07 times a week and spend an average of 6 hours in mangrove. The average number of crabs collected per gatherer/day was 77.0. The quantity landed in daytime period was 63,628 crabs/month, totalizing 714,543 crabs/year. The average price traded was USD 0.19/crab. The production chain of mangrove crab harvesting requires planning for maintain the natural stocks and aggregation of value to the product, benefiting the appreciation of crab gatherers.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de combinações de doses de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio sobre a produção de matéria seca e composição química de Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-4. O experimento foi composto por 16 tratamentos de NPK, conforme matriz experimental Plan Puebla II, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições. Utilizou-se um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo Distrófico Arênico e, como fonte de N, P e K, foram utilizados sulfato de amônio e uréia, superfosfato triplo e cloreto de potássio, respectivamente. O material coletado foi separado em colmo e folha, e pré-seco para a determinação da produção matéria seca de folhas (MSF), colmos (MSC) e total (MST), teor de proteína bruta (PB), N, P e K. A adubação promoveu incremento na produção da B. brizantha cv. MG-4, cujas doses de 360-370-360 g vaso-1 de NPK, respectivamente, proporcionaram 95% da maior produção de MST observada. As produtividades máximas foram nas doses de 373, 407 e 317 mg dm-3 de N de solo para MST, MSF e MSC, respectivamente. As doses de N proporcionaram incrementos nos teores de PB das folhas. As adubações fosfatada e nitrogenada proporcionaram aumento na quantidade acumulada de N, P e K na B. brizantha cv. MG-4.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of combinations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) on the dry matter yield and chemical composition of Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-4. The experiment consisted of 16 combination levels of NPK, according to experimental matrix Plan Puebla II, in a completely randomized design with five replications. It used a dystrophic Red Yellow Sand-Argisol; ammonium and urea sulfate, triple super phosphate and potassium chloride were used as sources of N, P and K, respectively. The harvested material was separated into leaves and stem and submitted to dry matter yield (DMY) evaluations of the aerial part, crude protein (CP) and determination of the contents of N, P and K. In general, fertilization promoted beneficial effects on the grass, whose level of 360-370-360 g pot-1 of NPK, respectively, provided 95% of the highest total DMY. The maximum yields were obtained with the application of 373, 407 and 317 mg dm-3 of N for total, leaf, and stem DM, respectively. The levels of N led to increased levels of leaf CP. The concentrations of leaf CP were higher than the concentration found in the stems.