RESUMO: Análise de crescimento de plantas pode ser utilizada para avaliação de plantas e identificação de mudanças causadas por microrganismos de solo, depois de serem inoculados nas sementes. O objetivo deste estudo foi medir as mudanças no crescimento de plantas de soja inoculadas em condição de cultivos extensivos de campo no Brasil. O experimento foi conduzido para comparar cinco tratamentos inoculados: T1 (Bradyrhizobium japonicum e B. diazoefficiens), T2 (T1 e Azospirillum brasilense), T3 (T1 e Trichoderma asperellum), T4 (T1 and T. virens, e Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) e T5 (T1 e Penicillum bilaiae). A área foliar e a massa seca da parte aérea e de raízes foram medidas nos estádios vegetativos e reprodutivos. Os resultados validam a contribuição da análise de crescimento de plantas de soja para identificar as respostas causadas pela inoculação de sementes com combinação de microrganismos selecionados. Os efeitos dos microrganismos no crescimento das plantas não variam apenas entre os microrganismos, mas também entre as partes das plantas e ao longo do seu desenvolvimento. A introdução de diferentes micróbios na rizosfera de soja, combinados com cepas de Bradyrhizobium sp. pode aumentar a produtividade de massa seca das culturas durante o seu ciclo de crescimento.

ABSTRACT: Plant growth analysis can be used for soybean plants evaluation to identify morphologic changes caused by soil microbes after seed inoculation. The objective was to measure changes of inoculated soybean plants grown under regular field Brazilian production conditions. The experiment was carried out to compare 5 inoculation treatments: T1 (Bradyrhizobium japonicum and B. diazoefficiens), T2 (T1 and Azospirillum brasilense), T3 (T1 and Trichoderma asperellum), T4 (T1 and T. virens, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and T5 (T1 and Penicillum bilaiae). Leaf area, shoot and root dry matter were measured at vegetative and reproductive growth stages. Results of this study validate the contribution of plant growth analysis of soybeans plants for identifying their responses promoted by the combined inoculation of their seeds with selected microbes. Also, the microbial effects on plant growth vary not only between microbes but also between parts of the plants and through the plant development stages. The introduction of different microbes in soybean rhizosphere combined with Bradyrhizobium sp. strains can contribute to increase crop dry matter productivity during its growing cycle.

ABSTRACT This study's objectives were to compare the occurrence of brown rust and smut in conventional and energy cane families and clones in field conditions and to understand how the new hybridizations could contribute to increasing the allele frequency of resistance against the main crop diseases in breeding populations. Disease occurrence was evaluated in two selection stages. Of the 2.400 clones constituting the material for selection in the first stage, 88 clones (« 4% of the total) were selected for the second stage. Considering the overall performance of the clones without symptoms of either disease in the evaluated families that would be possibly selected in the second stage, the percentage was at least 28% lower in the families selected for high biomass (37.33%) than of the selected conventional (57.14%) and intermediate biomass (66.67%) families. In the intermediate biomass and high biomass sugarcane families, brown rust and smut rates were higher in the first stage. In the second stage, brown rust incidence was higher in high biomass families. However, at the end of both selection phases, intermediate biomass and high biomass sugarcane clones without simultaneous brown rust and smut symptoms could be selected.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la incidencia de roya marrón y carbón en familias y clones de caña de azúcar convencional y caña de azúcar para energía, a fin de evaluar el efecto de las hibridaciones en la frecuencia alélica de resistencia a estas enfer medades en el mejoramiento de los cultivos. La ocurrencia de las enfermedades fue observada en dos etapas de selección. En la primera etapa se evaluaron 30 familias, clasificadas según tipo de familia: cinco familias de caña de azúcar convencional (CO); trece familias de caña de azúcar para producción de energía con alta biomasa (HB) y, doce familias de caña de azúcar para producción de energía con biomasa intermedia (IB). Durante la segunda etapa, se evaluaron 88 genotipos libres de enfermedad: siete genotipos CO; 60 genotipos HB y 21 genotipos IB. En la primera fase de selección se observaron tasas más altas de carbón y roya en familias de caña de azúcar de biomasa intermedia (IB) y alta (HB). En la segunda fase de selección, la incidencia de la roya de las familias de alta biomasa (HB) fue mayor. En las familias con biomasa media y alta las tasas de roya marrón y carbón resultaron mayores en el primer estadio. En el segundo estadio, la incidencia de roya marrón fue mayor en las familias con alta biomasa. Al final de dos fases, se seleccionaron clones de caña de azúcar de biomasa intermedia y alta, sin síntomas de ninguna de las enfermedades evaluadas.

Abstract Cultivar RB036091 is an early-maturing sugarcane with a long period of industrial suitability; in the Central South region of Brazil, harvest is recommended between April and August, and the cultivar is indicated for planting on moderate to highly fertile soils. It is widely adaptable and has a high sugar yield and stability of agricultural yield.

RESUMO A expansão da cultura da cana-de-açúcar na região Centro-Sul tem sido predominantemente em solos arenosos com baixo potencial produtivo. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram avaliar a manutenção do palhiço, consórcio da cana com a braquiária e doses de nitrogênio no cultivo da cana em solo arenoso do Paraná. O experimento foi instalado em condições de campo, situado no município de Paranavaí-PR, na unidade da Rede Interinstitucional para o Desenvolvimento do Setor Sucroenergético (Ridesa). O solo foi classificado como sendo um Latossolo Vermelho-amarelo distrófico. Os tratamentos na cana-planta foram constituídos de um fatorial 4x2, sendo quatro doses de nitrogênio (0, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1) e cana consorciada e não consorciada com braquiária. Na ocasião da colheita da cana-planta, implementou-se o palhiço como novo fator para ser avaliado na cana-soca. Os tratamentos da cana-soca foram constituídos de um fatorial 4x2x2, sendo quatro doses de nitrogênio (0, 50, 100 e 150 kg ha-1), cana consorciada e não consorciada com braquiária, e uso do palhiço e o não uso do palhiço. A manutenção do palhiço na superfície do solo pode aumentar o desenvolvimento agronômico da cana e, por outro lado, o consórcio de capim braquiária pode reduzir. A cana-de-açúcar foi responsiva às doses de N e, nas maiores doses, compensou a ausência do palhiço e reduziu a competição entre as espécies.

ABSTRACT The expansion of sugarcane cultivation in the Center-South region of Brazil has led to the use of, mainly, areas with low-yielding sandy soils. In this context, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the maintenance of the sugarcane straw, Brachiaria grass intercropping in sugarcane fields and nitrogen fertilization and on sandy soils in the state of Paraná. The field experiment was installed in the Paranavaí-PR city, at a unit of the Interuniversity Network for the Development of the Sugarcane Sector (RIDESA). The soil was classified as Latossolo Vermelho-amarelo distrófico. The treatments in the plant cane stage, consisting of four nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1) and monoculture or Brachiaria grass intercropping in sugarcane fields were arranged in a 4x2 factorial design. At plant cane harvest, the effect of unremoved straw was included as a new factor to be evaluated in the ratoon crops. The treatments in the ratoon crops were arranged in a 4x2x2 factorial design, consisting of four nitrogen rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1), monoculture or Brachiaria grass intercropping in sugarcane fields and the presence or removal sugarcane straw. The sugarcane straw on soil surface can increase the agronomic development of sugarcane and, the other hands, Brachiaria grass intercropping in sugarcane fields can reduce. Sugarcane was responsive to N rates and, in the highest rates, compensated the sugarcane straw absence and reduced Brachiaria grass intercropping competition.

RESUMO: O objetivo desse trabalho foi selecionar famílias e clones de cana-de-açúcar tolerantes ao estresse por frio. As avaliações ocorreram durante três fases de seleção no município de Pelotas, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no delineamento de blocos incompletos, sendo inicialmente composto por 4.452 seedlings oriundos de 53 famílias de irmãos completos. Além dos caracteres teor de sólidos solúveis (BRIX), tonelada de colmos por hectare (TCH) e tonelada de brix por hectare (TBH), foi avaliada a sobrevivência do meristema apical (GEM) na primeira fase de seleção (T1) do programa de melhoramento genético. Ao final de três fases de seleção, 15 clones pertencentes a 14 das 53 famílias avaliadas na primeira fase (T1) foram selecionados para a fase de experimentação, destes, destacam-se: RS/PR126066, RS/PR126044, RS/PR126052, RS/PR126007 e RS/PR126033, pois além de apresentar desempenho satisfatório para os caracteres TCH e TBH, foram avaliados com notas máximas (N4 e N5) para sobrevivência de gema apical no primeiro ciclo de seleção.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to select cold-tolerant sugarcane families and clones. Evaluations were carried out during three selection phases in the municipality of Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experiments were arranged in an incomplete block design, with initially 4,452 seedlings of 53 full-sib families. Aside from the traits soluble solids content (BRX), tons of stalks per hectare (TSH) and tons of brixper hectare (TBH), the survival of the apical bud (ABS) was evaluated in the first selection stage (T1) of the breeding program. At the end of three selection phases, 15 clones of 14 of the 53 families evaluated in the first phase (T1) were selected for the experimental phase. Of these, the clones RS/PR126066, RS/PR126044, RS/PR126052, RS/PR126007 and RS/PR126033, had a good performance for apical bud survival in the first selection phase.

ABSTRACT The variability of agronomic performance and of input use level of wheat commercial fields allows the identification of the factors with the greatest contribution to its economic performance. The objective of this work was to identify the main factors related to the variability of economic performance in wheat commercial fields in the Southern Region of Paraná State. The study was based on data from 65, 64 and 80 farms in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The variables evaluated were: costs of fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide, fungicide and seed; grain yield; and simplified gross margin (SGM). Data were subjected to Principal Components Analysis followed by Cluster Analysis. The variability of wheat economic performance was mainly related to grain yield, fertilizers cost and seed costs. Grain yield is one of the most important factors to determination of economic performance of wheat commercial fields in the studied region, and a greater investment in fertilizers and with seeds can decrease it. It must be considered that the cost reduction might be obtained with suitable management practices, and the contribution of items of cost analyzed to economic performance may be different in each cropping season probably due to variations of the cost profile and grain yield.

Abstract The sugarcane cultivar RB036066 is medium-maturing and has a long period of industrial suitability; in the South-Central region, harvest is recommended between June and September, and it is indicated for planting on medium to highly fertile soils. The cultivar is widely adaptable and has high sugar yield and stability of agricultural production.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar os parâmetros genéticos para prever o desempenho de famílias de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.) sob condições naturais de estresse por frio, no Sul do Brasil, e identificar as melhores combinações de genitores para a seleção quanto à tolerância ao frio. Cinquenta e três famílias de irmãos completos foram avaliadas em delineamento de blocos incompletos, com cinco repetições por família, no Município de Pelotas, RS. A colheita foi realizada em agosto de 2013, nove meses após o plantio e após eventos de frio com temperatura negativa que chegou a -2,2ºC. As análises estatísticas, realizadas por meio da metodologia de modelos mistos, detectaram diferenças significativas entre as famílias. As estimativas de herdabilidade em nível de família foram maiores do que as de herdabilidade em nível de indivíduo. As estimativas quanto ao progresso genético para os caracteres megagramas de cana por hectare, megagramas de brix por hectare e número de talos indicaram ganhos de 93,8, 91,0 e 53,3%, respectivamente. Obteve-se um conjunto de oito famílias potenciais que combinam elevadas estimativas de rendimento e tolerância ao estresse por frio.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic parameters for the performance prediction of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) families under natural cold stress, in Southern Brazil, and to identify the best combinations of parents aiming at the selection for tolerance to cold. Fifty-three full-sib families were evaluated in an incomplete block design, with five replicates per family, in the municipality of Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Harvest occurred in August 2013, nine months after planting and after cold spells with negative temperatures down to -2.2ºC. Statistical analyses, performed with the mixed model methodology, detected significant differences among families. Heritability estimates among progeny means were higher than those of individual heritability. Estimates of genetic progress for the traits megagrams of stalks per hectare, megagrams of brix per hectare, and number of stalks indicated gains of 93.8, 91.0, and 53.3%, respectively. A set of eight promising families that combine high estimates for yield and cold stress tolerance was obtained.

Abstract The sugarcane cultivar RB036088 is late-maturing, harvested from September to November in south-central Brazil, and is recommended for soils with medium to high fertility. It stands out with continuously high sugar yield over the harvests, longevity of the ratoon plants, high tillering capacity and can be harvested mechanically.

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify superior parents for crosses and the best families to breed new clones of energy cane. The best-performing parents were RB867515, RB93509, KRAKATAU, IM76-228, IM76-229, and US85-1008. The heritability and accuracy values for the traits tons of cane per hectare, fiber, and sucrose content indicate high correlation between the predicted genotypic means and observed values, enabling efficient selection of the best cane energy families. The extensive genetic variation detected and the presence of promising seedlings in the selected segregating population indicate the possibility of using new crosses in some clones and even in future commercial plantings. It was possible to identify the best parents involved in the evaluated crosses, and to select, in the best families, seedlings with a high fiber and good sucrose content, seedlings with high fiber and low sugar content, as well as seedlings with the same fiber and sucrose contents as the current cultivars.

In order to improve the growth of sugarcane plantlets, this study examined the effects of a seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) extract on shoot and root dry mass accumulation of plantlets budding from segments taken from apical, medial and basal parts of culms of the RB867515 variety. The experiment was a 3 x 2 factorial (three culm sections x kelp extract applied at 2.0 l.ha-1 and control) at the Sugar Cane Research Station at the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil. Results showed improvement in shoot and root dry mass accumulation in plantlets budding from the basal part of culms following treatment with the A. nodosum kelp extract.

Buscando la mejora del crecimiento de las plántulas de caña de azúcar, este estudio inicial examinó los efectos de un extracto de algas (Ascophyllum nodosum) en la acumulación de masa seca de la parte aérea y raíces de plántulas originadas de segmentos tomados de las partes apicales, mediales y basales de la variedad RB867515. El experimento en factorial 3 x 2 (segmentos apicales, mediales y basales x extracto de algas aplicada en 2,0 l.ha-1 y control) se llevó a cabo en la Estación de Investigación de Caña de Azúcar de la Universidad Federal de Paraná, Brasil. Los resultados mostraron una mejoría de las acumulaciones de masa seca de los brotes y raíces en las plántulas originadas de segmentos basales por la aplicación de extracto de algas.

O objetivo dessa pesquisa foi avaliar a diversidade genética e a relação de parentesco entre 50 genótipos de canade- açúcar, além de identificar genitores potenciais para a obtenção de cultivares cana energia. A análise de diversidade foi realizada a partir da avaliação de caracteres morfológicos e agronômicos. O coeficiente de parentesco foi obtido a partir das informações de pedigree. De acordo com as análises realizadas os genótipos foram separados em dois grupos. O grupo G1 foi formado por 13 genótipos descendentes das espécies Saccharum spontaneum e Saccharum robustum. Os outros 37 genótipos descendem de retrocruzamentos com Saccharum officinarum e foram alocados no grupo G2. Os genótipos apresentaram baixos valores de similaridade genética e de coeficiente de parentesco, indicando ampla variabilidade genética na população. A condução de cruzamentos envolvendo genótipos do grupo G1, principalmente aqueles com teor de fibra acima de 17% (IJ76-293, 57NG12, IN84-82, IN84-88, IM76-228 e UM69/001), com os genótipos do grupo G2, que apresentam elevada produtividade de colmos (RB92579, RB83102, RB047232, RB867515, RB971723, RB937570, RB011941, RB75126, MEX68- 200, Co62175 e CP691052), devem ser explorados com a finalidade de desenvolver cultivares cana energia. As análises de diversidade e do coeficiente de parentesco permitiram a identificação de dois grupos heteróticos. Além disso, foi possível identificar nos dois grupos genitores potenciais para a obtenção de cultivares cana energia. A utilização das distâncias genéticas com base em dados morfo-agronômicos e do pedigree devem ser usadas de forma complementar, visando agregar maior conhecimento na escolha dos melhores genitores.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity and coefficient of kinship in 50 sugarcane genotypes, in addition to identifying potential parents for obtaining cultivars of energy cane. Diversity analysis was carried out based on the evaluation of morphological and agronomical characteristics. The coefficient of kinship was obtained from information on pedigree. According to analyses carried out, genotypes were separated into two groups. Group G1 consisted of 13 genotypes from the species Saccharum spontaneum and Saccharum robustum. The other 37 genotypes were from back-crosses with Saccharum officinarum, and were allocated to group G2. The genotypes displayed low values for genetic similarity and coefficient of kinship, indicating broad genetic variability in the population. Carrying out crosses involving genotypes from group G1, especially those with a fibre content of over 17% (IJ76-293, 57NG12, IN84-82, IN84-88, IM76-228 and UM69/001), with genotypes from group G2 which have high stalk yield (RB92579, RB83102, RB047232, RB867515, RB971723, RB937570, RB011941, RB75126, MEX68-200, Co62175 and CP691052), should be explored, with the aim of developing energy cane cultivars. Analyses of diversity and of the coefficient of kinship made it possible to identify two heterotic groups. Moreover, it was possible to identify two potential parent groups for obtaining energy cane cultivars. Genetic distances which are based on both morpho-agronomical data and on pedigree, should be used in a complementary way, with a view to having more information when choosing the best parents.

Due to the high sucrose content, RB002504 is indicated for harvesting in the early harvest period, from September to November, in the Northeastern region of Brazil. Planting on medium texture soils is recommended. The cultivar is highly responsive to ideal production environments and resistant to the major sugarcane diseases.

Para a avaliação de experimentos com cana-de-açúcar, tem-se recomendado a colheita total de parcelas, algo que, devido aos seus custos, tem se mostrado inexequível. Alternativamente, pode-se estimar a produção com base na tomada de amostras que representem as parcelas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a suficiência amostral em cana-de-açúcar para a estimação da massa dos colmos de parcelas experimentais. Reamostragens com reposição subsidiaram o uso dos modelos da curva potencial, linear e quadrático segmentados com resposta platô e do modelo do coeficiente de variação relativo. Também foram realizados estudos simulados de análise de variância. Os resultados indicaram que amostras de 20 colmos coletados aleatoriamente na parcela experimental permitem estimar adequadamente a variável massa do colmo. Com este valor, serão obtidas avaliações confiáveis da produtividade em colmos

During the evaluation of the experimental phase, which corresponds to competition experiments and indication of cultivars, is recommended total harvest of plots, which, owing to their costs, can become impracticable. Optionally, one can estimate the production based on taking samples representing plots. The aim of this study was to research the sample sufficiency in sugarcane for estimating the mass of stalks of experimental plots. One used the maximum curvature of the power model, the linear and quadratic segmented models with response plateau and the relative CV model. Studies based on simulated analysis of variance were done also. The application of these models and the ANOVA was supported by bootstrap resamplings. The results indicated that a sample made by 20 stalks harvested in plot can be used for estimating properly the variable mass of the stalk. This value may be used for estimating the sugarcane yield per hectare