Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of colored shade mesh and plant density on the morphological characteristics of Corymbia citriodora seedlings. The highest radiation efficiency was found in the blue mesh, 7.01 g MJ-1 and 5.72 g MJ-1 for average and high density respectively. For dry matter and leaf area index at high density, the treatment without mesh followed by the red mesh was the best. The chlorophyll index did not differ between treatments, with mean values of 206.4, 59.1 and 262.0 for chlorophyll a, b and total, respectively. Using principal component analysis, we found the total variance to be 70%. The use of colored shade mesh and plant density altered the radiation use efficiency and dry matter accumulation. Leaf area index was affected only by plant density. The red mesh resulted in the most similar values to the treatment without mesh.

Abstract UFSMFW 2202 is an early black oat cultivar with high dry matter and grain yield potential. When used in rotation systems, the early cycle has the immediate advantage of allowing anticipated sowing of subsequent crop. Initially, the cultivar is recommended for the North and Northwest of Rio Grande do Sul.

Abstract The black oat cultivar UFSMFW 2101, recommended for Northwest of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, is very early and can produce high dry matter and grain yields. In rotation systems, an immediate advantage is the very early cycle, with the possibility of anticipated sowing of the subsequent crop.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a variável meteorológica com maior contribuição na produtividade de colmos de cana-de-açúcar na região noroeste e central do Rio Grande do Sul. Os genótipos de cana-de-açúcar utilizados foram: UFSM XIKA FW, UFSM LUCI FW, UFSM PRETA FW, UFSM DINA FW, UFSM MARI FW, IAC87-3396. As cultivares UFSM são provenientes do processo de mutação do programa de melhoramento da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, campus de Frederico Westphalen, e possuem tolerância a baixas temperaturas. Os caracteres morfológicos responsáveis pela produtividade utilizados nos modelos foram diâmetro médio de colmo, número médio de colmos por metro de sulco e estatura média de colmos. As variáveis meteorológicas utilizadas foram a temperatura mínima do ar, precipitação pluviométrica, radiação solar incidente e soma térmica acumulada. Foi realizada a correlação de Pearson, correlações canônicas e regressão de Stepwise entre os caracteres morfológicos e as variáveis meteorológicas, nos quais foi constado que a temperatura mínima do ar é a variável com maior influência na produtividade da cana-de-açúcar nas regiões estudadas e, que a soma térmica acumulada é a variável com maior correlação e contribuição no diâmetro de colmo e estatura média dos colmos. Desse modo, os modelos indicam que o crescimento da cana-de-açúcar responde de forma positiva a soma térmica acumulada, e as regiões em estudo apresentam potencial para o cultivo da cana-de-açúcar.

ABSTRACT: This study determined the meteorological variable that most contribute to the productivity of sugarcane stalks in the northwest and central regions of Rio Grande do Sul. The following sugarcane genotypes were used: UFSM XIKA FW, UFSM LUCI FW, UFSM PRETA FW, UFSM DINA FW, UFSM MARI FW, and IAC87-3396. The UFSM cultivars originate from a mutation process in the breeding program conducted at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Frederico Westphalen campus, and have low temperature tolerance. The productivity-associated morphological characters included in the models were average stem diameter, average stem number per meter of furrow, and average stem height. The following meteorological variables were used: minimum air temperature, precipitation, incident solar radiation, and accumulated thermal sum. Pearson’s correlation, canonical correlations, and Stepwise regression were performed between morphological characters and meteorological variables: minimum air temperature had the greatest influence on sugarcane productivity in the studied regions, and accumulated thermal sum showed the highest correlation and contributed most to stem diameter and average stem height. Thus, the models indicated that the growth of sugarcane is positively associated with the accumulated thermal sum, and sugarcane can be cultivated at the studied regions.

ABSTRACT Agriculture has caused numerous concerns regarding the preservation of natural resources. In this context, agroforestry systems are emerging as a more sustainable alternative. The present study aimed to evaluate growth characteristics, radiation use efficiency, biomass partition, and yield of soybean grown in two agroforestry systems and full sun. A field experiment was conducted in Southern Brazil during the 2014/2015 crop year, in which transmissivity of solar radiation, leaf area index, radiation use efficiency, and yield of soybean were evaluated. The solar radiation dynamics varied among the study factors, mainly due to the agroforestry arrangements. Shading influenced the leaf area index, radiation use efficiency, biomass partition, and soybean yield. Based on the soybean yield values generated in this study, the use of more spaced agroforestry arrangements and Peltophorum dubium forest species is recommended. However, because the yield values were below the expected levels, it is not yet possible to confirm the full potential of soybean crop in agroforestry systems. Thus, new studies should be conducted in order to generate alternatives that make soybean cultivation feasible in agroforestry systems, such as assessing the use of more spaced agroforestry arrangements, the insertion of the soybean crop in the initial years of cultivation of agroforestry, as well as reduce intraspecific competition by decreasing the plant population of the crop.

RESUMO O uso de pesticidas com alta toxicidade para controlar patógenos do solo, como Fusarium spp. e Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, tem gerado preocupação, devido aos impactos irreversíveis causados no meio ambiente, além de selecionar isolados resistentes. Dessa forma, os óleos essenciais surgem como uma alternativa eficiente no controle de doenças. Diante da problemática de controle de patógenos do solo e alto potencial antimicrobiano que os óleos essenciais possuem, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial fungicida de óleos essenciais no controle de Fusarium spp. e S. sclerotiorum, in vitro. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente randomizado, esquema fatorial 2×4×8, com dois isolados (Fusarium spp. e S. sclerotiorum), quatro óleos essenciais (Aloysia citriodora, Cymbopogon winterianus, Lippia alba e Ocimum americanum) e oito concentrações de óleo essencial (0,0; 0,2; 0,4; 0,6; 0,8; 1,0; 1,2 e 1,4 ?L·mL-1), com dez repetições. Os óleos essenciais inibiram o crescimento micelial dos fungos em diferentes concentrações, sendo seu potencial justificado pela presença de compostos químicos antifúngicos. Os óleos essenciais de A. citriodora, C. winterianus, L. alba e O. americanum apresentam alto potencial fungicida, sendo alternativas viáveis para formulação de produtos comerciais, impulsionando a indústria de agrotóxicos.

ABSTRACT The use of highly toxic pesticides to control soil pathogens, such as Fusarium spp. and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum has generated concern, due to the irreversible impacts caused on the environment, in addition to selecting resistant isolates. In this way, essential oils appear as an efficient alternative in control of diseases. Facing the problem of soil pathogens control and high antimicrobial fungicide that essential oils present, this work aimed to evaluate the in vitro fungicidal potential of essential oils in control of Fusarium spp. and S. sclerotiorum. A completely randomized design, factorial scheme 2×4×8 was used, with two isolates (Fusarium spp. and S. sclerotiorum), four essential oils (Aloysia citriodora, Cymbopogon winterianus, Lippia alba and Ocimum americanum), eight essential oil concentrations (0.0; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1.0; 1.2 and 1.4 ?L·mL-1), and ten replicates. The essential oils inhibited mycelial growth of the fungi in different concentrations, being their potential justified by the presence of antifungal chemical compounds. Essential oils of A. citriodora, C. winterianus, L. alba and O. americanum present high fungicidal potential, being viable alternatives for formulation of commercial products, boosting the pesticides industry.

RESUMO O cultivo de espécies nativas e exóticas consorciadas em um sistema agroflorestal eleva o interesse de informações das propriedades da madeira. Portanto, diferentes métodos estão sendo testados com o objetivo de melhorar as propriedades tecnológicas desse material, incluindo a secagem, que provoca alterações nas propriedades físicas e mecânicas da madeira. O presente trabalho investigou a influência da secagem nas propriedades físicas e mecânicas da madeira de espécies arbóreas cultivadas em um sistema agroflorestal. Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan, Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub., Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill × Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake (híbrido) e Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F.Blake foram as espécies selecionadas para o estudo. Três indivíduos de 9 anos de cada uma das espécies foram obtidos em um sistema agroflorestal. Trinta amostras de madeira (2,5 x 2,5 x 41 cm) foram extraídas de cada espécie. As amostras de madeira foram divididas entre tratamentos de temperatura. Para cada tratamento térmico foram utilizadas 6 amostras (controle, 120, 150, 180 e 210 ° C), as quais foram secas por duas horas em estufa (com circulação forçada de ar). Após o tratamento térmico, as propriedades mecânicas das amostras de madeira foram avaliadas através de testes para determinar; os módulos de elasticidade e ruptura, tensão no limite proporcional e força máxima de acordo com a norma ASTM D-143-94 (2000). Por fim, as propriedades físicas de retratibilidade das amostras de madeira foram avaliadas de acordo com a norma NBR 7190 (ABNT, 1997). Os corpos de prova utilizados para analisar essa variável foram provenientes de seções da madeira (dimensões da amostra: 2,5 × 2,5 × 5 cm) não afetadas pelo teste de flexão estática. Os resultados indicam que, para todas as espécies investigadas para o estudo, a secagem altera as propriedades físicas e mecânicas da madeira, com as alterações mais significativas ocorrendo a temperaturas entre 120 e 180 ° C.

ABSTRACT The cultivation of native and exotic species intercropped in an agroforestry system raises the interest for information on the properties of wood. Therefore, different methods are being tested to improve the technological properties of this material, including drying, which causes changes in the physical and mechanical properties of the wood. The present study investigated the influence of drying on the physical and mechanical properties of wood from tree species grown in an agroforestry system. Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan, Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub., Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill × Eucalyptus urophylla S.T. Blake (hybrid), and Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) S.F.Blake were the species selected for the study. Three 9-year-old individuals of each of the species were obtained from an agroforestry system. Thirty wood samples (2.5 × 2.5 × 41 cm) were extracted from each species. The wood samples were divided between temperature treatments; 6 samples were used for each heat treatment (control, 120, 150, 180, and 210 °C), which were then dried for two hours in an oven (with forced air circulation). Following the heat treatment, the mechanical properties of wood samples were evaluated to determine the modulus of elasticity and rupture, the tension in the proportional limit, and maximum force according to the ASTM D-143-94 (2000) standard. Finally, the physical properties of the retractability of the wood samples were evaluated according to the NBR 7190 (ABNT, 1997) standard. Specimens used to analyze this variable came from sections of the wood (sample dimensions: 2.5 × 2.5 × 5 cm) not affected by the static bending test. Our findings indicate that, for all species investigated in this study, drying alters the physical and mechanical properties of the wood, with the most significant changes occurring at temperatures between 120 and 180 °C.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o uso do método multivariado de melhor preditor linear não viesado (BLUP), para estimar os parâmetros genéticos em genótipos de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum officinarum). O experimento foi realizado em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com 21 genótipos de cana-de-açúcar, em sete anos agrícolas, em arranjo fatorial com três repetições. As características medidas foram: rendimento total de caules por hectare, volume total de suco por hectare, produção de açúcares solúveis totais e comprimento do caule. A variação da fonte nos anos agrícolas contribuiu fortemente para a obtenção dos valores esperados da soma dos quadrados, sem causar distorções das estimativas dos componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos. As características medidas apresentaram variabilidade genética e permitiram seleções univariada e multivariada eficientes. A maior eficiência de seleção foi obtida com o uso de mais de oito medições, pois elas favoreceram as estimativas de herdabilidade, precisão e repetibilidade. Os genótipos 'IAC873396', 'Nova Iraí', 'IACSP 93-6006' e 'RB 835089' foram superiores para as características testadas, independentemente do ano agrícola. A técnica multivariada BLUP para a seleção multicaracterísticas é robusta e permite aumentar os ganhos de seleção, a acurácia e a confiabilidade das predições para o melhoramento da cana-de-açúcar.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of the multivariate best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) method for multi-trait selection, to estimate the genetic parameters in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) genotypes. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with 21 sugarcane genotypes, in seven crop years, in a factorial arrangement with three replicates. The measured traits were: total yield of stems per hectare, total volume of juice per hectare, production of total soluble sugars, and stem length. The source variation in the crop years strongly contributed for the obtention of the expected values of the sum of squares, without causing distortions in the variance components and genetic variables. The measured traits showed genetic variability and allowed of efficient univariate and multivariate selections. The highest selection efficiency was obtained by using more than eight measurements, since they favored the estimates of heritability, accuracy, and repeatability. The 'IAC873396', 'Nova Iraí', 'IACSP 93-6006', and 'RB 835089' genotypes were superior as to the traits tested, regardless of the crop year. The BLUP multivariate technique for multi-trait selection is robust and allows of the increasing of the selection gains, accuracy, and reliability of predictions for sugarcane breeding.

ABSTRACT Aloysia triphylla is an aromatic plant used in several industrial sectors, owing to the chemical properties of its essential oil. Biosynthesis of organic compounds is influenced by the growth conditions. As such, temporal and spatial variation affect the chemical composition of essential oils. We hypothesized that: i) the chemical composition of A. triphylla essential oil is influenced by differences in irrigation and season; and ii) the major components of A. triphylla essential oil do not vary between treatment conditions. To test these hypotheses, we determined the chemical composition of A. triphylla essential oil as a function of four seasons crossed with four irrigation levels. A completely randomized experimental design with a randomized block in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme, representing the four seasons of the year (summer, autumn, winter, and spring) and four irrigation levels (50%, 75%, 100%, and 125% of the reference evapotranspiration), was used with four replicates. Our results show that the chemical composition of A. triphylla essential oil varied with the two study factors, of which season was the major factor. The highest concentrations of constituents classified as monoterpene and sesquiterpene were observed in the summer season, and the highest constituents of the other group of compounds were observed in winter. In addition, the major components of the essential oil were α-citral, limonene, and β-citral, and their levels were the highest during winter.

Abstract: Despite its economic importance, the microclimate in soybean canopies has not yet been studied in detail. Such a study can yield valuable information regarding the interaction of a crop with its environment. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the solar radiation dynamic and yield responses for each canopy strata for two soybean cultivars with determined and undetermined growth habits. A field study was conducted during the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 growing seasons in the city of Frederico Westphalen, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The cultivar NA6411, with a determinate growth habit, presented a greater interception of radiation in the middle and lower canopies strata which results in higher soybean yield when compared to the cultivar TEC6029, and thus, can be recommended for cultivation in crop production systems. The contribution of the middle and upper canopy strata to the total yield formation was greater than that observed in the lower canopy strata due to the greater interception of solar radiation by these strata. To increase soybean yields, new studies regarding the microclimatic conditions of the soybean canopy should be developed to improve the maximum potential yield of the new soybean cultivars.

Abstract: This work aimed to determine variance components and genetic parameters, as well as phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations among black oat (Avena strigosa) families grown in different crop season. Seventy-six black oat families and three controls (BRS Madrugada, BRS Centauro, BRS 139 Neblina) were evaluated in two crop seasons (2016 and 2017), using families with intercalary controls experimental design. The results reveled high potential of black oat families to compose a breeding program, due to families and controls variance were similar, variance components expressed greater genetic variance origin for crop season. Panicle weight and panicle grain weight presented high heritability and, these are correlated with panicle length. Thus, these traits can be used to select superior genotypes. Divergent meteorological conditions between crop seasons expressed few variations among phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations, and it did not alter magnitude and sense of phenotypic and genetic correlations.

Abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the growth and production efficiency of forage-grain dual-purpose wheat in two arrangements and four agroforestry systems (Intercrop-I and Intercrop-II), as well as to evaluate crop management for the wheat crops in two planting seasons (Crop Season I-2014 and Crop Season II-2015. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design, factorial scheme 7x2x2, with seven cultivation systems Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus grandis Intercrop-II and Intercrop-I; Peltophorum dubium Intercrop-II and Intercrop-I; P. rigida Intercrop-I; S. parahyba Intercrop-I; a wheat monoculture with no tree species present; and two harvest management techniques (with and without harvesting of the forage species). Agroforestry systems generated shading for wheat plants, with a higher phyllochron and lower values of leaf area index of those individuals kept under trees with higher crown shading (non-deciduous trees) due to the lower transmissivity of solar radiation. The systems composed with Schizolobium parahyba in Intercrop-I and Parapiptadenia rigida in Intercrop-I provide a minor phyllochron to the wheat, resulting in a higher leaf area index and dry matter yield. Thus, the cultivation of tree species and dual-skilled agricultural crops, such as wheat, provides promising alternatives for the future use of land in tropical countries.

RESUMO Os objetivos desse trabalho foram propor equações aditivas de biomassa dos componentes (fuste e copa) com a biomassa total para a espécie acácia negra (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) e demonstrar a inconsistência de equações de biomassa ajustadas independentemente. Dois procedimentos foram utilizados para ajustar equações não lineares de biomassa: i) independente e ii) sistemas de equações. O segundo procedimento, definido pela aplicação do modelo de regressão aparentemente não relacionada, apresenta melhores propriedades biológicas e estatísticas para estimar equações alométricas de biomassa dos componentes e biomassa total, quando comparado com a estimação independente. Uma propriedade efetiva desse procedimento é a aditividade, isto é, as estimativas de biomassa dos componentes são compatíveis com as de biomassa total. As equações ajustadas independentes não consideram a dependência entre os componentes de biomassa, assim, além das estimativas não serem aditivas, propriedade indesejável, resultarão em estimativas com maior variância.

ABSTRACT The objectives of this work were to propose additive equations for biomass components (stem and crown) and total biomass for black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild.) and show the inconsistency of independently adjusted biomass equations. Two procedures were used to fit nonlinear equations of biomass: i) independent and ii) systems of equations. The second procedure, defined by the application of the seemingly unrelated regression model, has better biological and statistical properties to estimate allometric equations of biomass components and total biomass when compared with the independent estimation. An effective property of this procedure is the additivity, i.e., the estimates of component biomass are compatible with those of total biomass. Independent fitted adjusted equations do not consider the dependence between the biomass components, thus, besides the estimates being non-additive, which is an undesirable property, they will result in estimates with larger variance.

ABSTRACT This work aimed to evaluate the elemental composition of different biomass components of the forest species Acacia mearnsii De Wild, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden, Mimosa scabrella Benth and Ateleia glazioviana Baill, at their first, third and fifth year after planting, aiming at bioenergetic use. The biomass elemental composition was determined by quantifying the levels of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen. The three ages, the four species, and the four compartments differ in relation to the elementary constituents. The use of trees at any age allows for energy use. The fifth year presents the best carbon and hydrogen values, being the best age for using the biomass energy of the different species. A. mearnsii presents the highest carbon values for the leaf and A. glazioviana presents the highest hydrogen values for all compartments. The leaf is the best compartment for energetic use.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o crescimento, a eficiência do uso da radiação solar e a proteína bruta do sorgo forrageiro submetido a diferentes manejos de cortes. Foi utilizado um esquema unifatorial em delineamento de blocos casualizados (manejo de cortes), que variou do tratamento sem corte até quatro cortes. O primeiro corte ocorreu 44 dias após a semeadura, o segundo 23 dias após o rebrote, o terceiro 25 dias após o rebrote e o último após 40 dias do rebrote. A eficiência do uso da radiação solar do sorgo forrageiro reduziu com o aumento do número de cortes. A proteína bruta das plantas de sorgo aumentou com o manejo de cortes. Portanto, para a cultura do sorgo forrageiro, recomenda-se restringir o manejo de cortes para até três vezes durante o ciclo, desde que exista potencial produtivo de biomassa, e esses cortes devem ocorrer a cada 25 dias, dependendo do acréscimo de matéria seca. Não se recomenda a realização de mais do que três cortes, devido à baixa eficiência na utilização da radiação solar, à reduzida acumulação de matéria seca e à baixa qualidade desse material.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine the growth, the solar radiation use efficiency, and the gross protein of sorghum forage under different cutting management. A unifactorial design in random blocks (cutting management) was used, varying from no-cut treatment to four cuts. The first cut occurred 44 days after sowing, the second one after 23 days of regrowth, the third one after 25 days of regrowth, and the last one after 40 days of regrowth. The efficiency of the sorghum forage's solar radiation use reduces as the number of cuts increases. The sorghum forage's gross protein increases with cutting management. Therefore, for a sorghum forage crop, it is recommended to restrain the cutting management up to three times during the crop cycle, since it has the biomass potential production, and the cuts should be made at every 25 days, depending on the increase of dry mass. After that, the cutting management should not be done, mainly due to the low radiation use efficiency, reduced dry mass accumulation, and low material quality.