ABSTRACT The elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone) is one of the species with great prominence for energy production because of its favorable traits, such as high yield and short cycle, combined with several biomass quality characteristics. Therefore, this study intended to evaluate the morpho-agronomic traits of eight elephant grass genotypes under different cutting ages. A randomized block design with three replicates was applied to the experiment, and plots were composed of a 12 m long line divided into six subplots for each of the bimonthly cuts. Eight genotypes were evaluated in the plots, and the cutting ages (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-mo) were analyzed in the subplots. The following traits were assessed: DM yield, (DMY) percentage of DM, and average plant height (HEI). All genetic-statistical analyses were conducted using the Genes Program. The evaluated genotypes showed nonsignificant differences, indicating that, for the evaluated traits, these genotypes are genetically similar. Most genotypes presented linear effect of 2nd degree in the two assessment cuts, pointing they did not reach their maximum capacity of DMY in the time interval of the evaluated cuts. The maximum %DM achieved for the most genotypes occurred at about 9-mo age, while genotypes Vruckwona and BAG-86 at about 10-mo age. The maximum points for HEI trait were between 8 and 10-mo age. Increasing the cutting interval leads to increases in DM yield, with the 10-mo cutting age being the most efficient, resulting in higher yields.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a massa fresca do jiló (kg/pl) e número de folhas de almeirão (nºf/pl) em função dos espaçamentos usuais pelos agricultures da região para ambas as culturas em sistema consorciado variando o número de linhas de almeirão na entrelinha do jiló e, colheitas (ciclo de cada cultura), para os consórcios e monocultivos. Os tratamentos foram T1= jiló 0,7x1,1 m (monocultivo); T2= consórcio de jiló, espaçamento de 0,7x1,5 m, com quatro filas de almeirão, 0,2x0,2 m, nas entrelinhas; T3= consórcio de jiló, 0,7x1,1 m, com três filas e almeirão, 0,2x0,2 m; T4= consórcio de jiló, 0,7x1,3 m, com quatro filas de almeirão, 0,2x0,2 m; T5= consórcio de jiló, 0,7x1,3 m, com três filas de almeirão, 0,2x0,2 m; T6= almeirão 0,2x0,1x0,4 m em duas filas duplas com 0,2 m entre linhas, 0,1 m entre plantas e 0,4 m entre filas duplas sobre 1,5 m linear de área (monocultivo) e T7= almeirão 0,2x0,3 m com três filas simples sobre 1,5 m de área (monocultivo). O delineamento foi em faixa, em um fatorial 5x16, contendo cinco espaçamentos de jiló de forma isolada, sendo 1,5x0,7 m, 1,3x0,7 m e 1,1x0,7 m, alternando-se o número de linhas de almeirão na entrelinha e 16 colheitas no tempo, sendo realizada uma por semana. Para o almeirão, o delineamento também foi em faixa em um fatorial 6x12, com seis espaçamentos. O espaçamento de 0,2x0,2 m foi consorciado com jiló, alternando-se o número de linhas e dois monocultivos 0,2x0,1x0,4 m em filas duplas e 0,2x0,3 m com 12 colheitas no tempo, sendo realizada uma por semana juntamente com o jiló. O jiló em consórcio no espaçamento de 0,7x1,5 m apresentou maiores médias em algumas colheitas seguido do espaçamento de 0,7x1,3 m com quatro filas de almeirão na entrelinha. Os espaçamentos 0,2x0,1x0,4 m e 0,2x0,3 m foram os que proporcionaram as melhores médias para a cultura do almeirão, com exceção para a 5° colheita, em que o espaçamento 0,2x0,2 m com quatro filas de almeirão proporcionou a maior média (5.7 folhas/planta). Independente do monocultivo e arranjo de consórcio utilizado para almeirão o IEA foi superior a 1.6.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the fresh mass of scarlet eggplant (kg/pl) and the number of leaves of chicory (nºf/pl) in relation to the spacing used by the farmers of the region for both crops. The experiment evaluated these crops under intercropping cultivation system, varying the number of chicory rows between scarlet eggplant rows as well as harvests (cycle of each crop), for intercropping and monocropping systems. The treatments were T1= scarlet eggplant 0.7x1.1 m (monocropping); T2= intercropped scarlet eggplant, 0.7x1.5 m, with four rows of chicory, 0.2x0.2 m between rows; T3= intercropped scarlet eggplant, 0.7x1.1 m, with three rows and chicory, 0.2x0.2 m; T4= intercropped scarlet eggplant, 0.7x1.3 m, with four rows of chicory, 0.2x0.2 m; T5= intercropped scarlet eggplant, 0.7x1.3 m, with three rows of chicory, 0.2x0.2 m; T6= chicory 0.2x0.1x0.4 m in two double rows, 0.2 m between rows, 0.1 m between plants and 0.4 m between double rows in 1.5 m linear area (monocropping) and T7= chicory 0.2x0.3 m with three simple rows in an 1.5-m area (monocropping). The experimental design was of strip blocks, in a 5x16 factorial scheme, consisting of five spacings of scarlet eggplant (monocropping), 1.5x0.7 m, 1.3x0.7 m and 1.1x0.7 m, alternating the number of chicory rows between rows and 16 harvests in time, once a week. For chicory, the design was also in a 6x12 factorial scheme, with six spacings. The spacing 0.2x0.2 m was intercropped with scarlet eggplant, alternating the number of rows and two monocroppings 0.2x0.1x0.4 m in double rows and 0.2x0.3 m with 12 harvests in time, being performed one harvest per week along with the scarlet eggplant. Intercropped scarlet eggplant in spacing 0.7x1.5 m showed higher averages in some harvests followed by spacing 0.7x1.3 m with four chicory rows between rows. Spacings 0.2x0.1x0.4 m and 0.2x0.3 m were the ones which provided the best averages for chicory crop, except for the 5th harvest, in which spacing 0.2x0.2 m consisting of four chicory rows provided the highest average (5.7 leaves/plant). Regardless of monocropping and intercropping arrangement used for chicory the Area Equivalence Index (IEA) was over 1.6.

RESUMO A falta de registros sobre as cultivares de feijão-vagem é um dos obstáculos que levaram à lacuna na produtividade e baixo destaque da cultura. Este trabalho teve como objetivo indicar as linhagens de feijão-vagem obtidas pelo Programa de Melhoramento da Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF) para avaliar seu desempenho quanto ao certificado de proteção de cultivares. O estudo foi conduzido usando delineamento em blocos casualizados com três repetições em casa de vegetação da Unidade de Apoio à Pesquisa da UENF. Nove linhas candidatas foram comparadas com a cultivar comercial “Topseed Blue Line”, de acordo com 56 descritores estabelecidos pelos National Plant Variety Rights. Todas as linhas se apresentaram homogêneas. A linha L31 forneceu um total de 30 descritores diferentes da cultivar comercial. Para os dados quantitativos adicionados aos testes Distinguibilidade, Homogeneidade e Estabilidade (DHE), foi realizada a análise de variância e o biplot GT gerado pelo software R. Foi observada variabilidade entre os genótipos para todas as características avaliadas, exceto dias até germinação e espessura das sementes. As linhagens que apresentaram melhor desempenho médio foram L6, L7, L10, L11 e L13. Entre essas, as linhas L6 e L11 proporcionaram maior estabilidade.

ABSTRACT The lack of records about snap bean cultivars is one of the obstacles that has led to a yield gap and low prominence of the crop. This work aimed at indicating snap bean lines obtained by the Breeding Program of the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF) to assess their performance and to apply for a certificate of plant variety protection. The study was managed using a randomized block design with three replicates in a greenhouse at the Research Support Unit of the UENF. Nine candidate lines were compared to the commercial cultivar “Topseed Blue Line” in accordance with 56 descriptors set by the National Plant Variety Rights. All lines presented themselves as homogeneous. The L31 line provided a total of 30 different descriptors of the commercial cultivar. For the quantitative data added to the Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability, (DUS) tests, the analysis of variance was performed and the GT biplot generated by the R software. Variability was noticed among the genotypes for all assessed traits, excepting days until germination and seed thickness. The lines that showed the best mean performance were L6, L7, L10, L11, and L13. Among those, the L6 and L11 lines provided higher stability.

RESUMO A cultivar de feijão vagem UENF Goytacá, registrada no Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuário e Abastecimento, foi obtida após a geração F6 pelo método de melhoramento Single Seed Descent (SSD). Pertence ao Programa de Melhoramento de feijão vagem da UENF que consiste de mais de uma década de pesquisa com a cultura, objetivando a recomendação de cultivares para as regiões Norte e Noroeste Fluminense do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Essa cultivar possui hábito de crescimento indeterminado (tipo IV) e porte trepador, características de interesse por atingirem maiores produções. Apresenta dupla aptidão, sendo destinada tanto para o consumo da vagem fresca quanto da vagem seca, com produtividade de grãos desejável, em torno de 4,28 t ha-1. Além de sua versatilidade de uso, possui ciclo e velocidade de desenvolvimento do hábito trepador médio; número médio de vagens equivalente a 83,93; comprimento médio de vagem de 15cm; grau de curvatura fraca a média, e grau de ternura média. Ensaios para o pedido de proteção da cultivar estão sendo concluídos com a finalidade de realizar sua produção e distribuição.

ABSTRACT The snap bean cultivar UENF Goytacá, registered in the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), was obtained from an F6 generation, based on the Single Seed Descent (SSD) method. It belongs to UENF Snap Bean Breeding Program, which has carried out researches on this crop type for more than a decade aiming at developing cultivars for Northern and Northwestern Rio de Janeiro State. This cultivar presents an indeterminate growth (type IV) and climbing habit, traits of interest, because they enable a higher crop yield. The cultivar also presents double suitability since its beans can be consumed both fresh and dry, with a desirable grain yield of approximately 4.28 t ha-1. Besides its versatility of use, this cultivar presents medium cycle and medium speed of the climbing habit, mean number of pods equivalent to 83.93, mean pod length of 15 cm, slight-to-moderate curvature degree, and moderate tenderness degree. The final tests focused on cultivar protection application to enable its production and distribution.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar genótipos de capim-elefante com base na produção de matéria seca, utilizando a metodologia de modelos mistos (REML/BLUP). O experimento foi conduzido na Pesagro, RJ, Brasil. Foram obtidos 25 híbridos em esquema de dialelo parcial, 10 genitores e a cultivar Capim Cana D’África. Foram avaliadas as características largura da folha (LL), comprimento da folha (CF), diâmetro do colmo (DC) e número de perfilhos (NP) em seis semanas a partir da 5ª semana após o plantio. Na última semana foram avaliadas a porcentagem (%MS) e produção de matéria seca (PMS). Os componentes de variância e coeficientes de repetibilidade foram estimados pelo método da máxima verossimilhança restrita (REML) e a predição de valores genotípicos pela melhor predição linear não viciada (BLUP). Para análise das variáveis foi utilizado o software Selegen-REML/BLUP. Observou-se grande influência da variância ambiental na variância fenotípica para as características LL, CF, DC e NP. Foram obtidos valores de repetibilidade de média magnitude para a LL, CF e DC. Os genótipos que apresentaram potencial para maior produção de biomassa foram H16, H17, G, P1, H4, P4, H25 e H22.

The objective of this work was to select elephant grass genotypes based on dry matter production, using the mixed model methodology (REML/BLUP). The experiment was conducted at Pesagro, RJ, Brazil. Twenty five hybrids were obtained in partial diallel scheme, 10 parents and the cultivar Capim Cana D'Africa. We evaluated the characteristics sheet width (LL), leaf length (CF), stem diameter (DC) and number of tillers (NP) in six weeks from the fifth week after planting. The percentage (% MS) and dry matter production (PMS) was evaluated in the last week. The components of variance and repeatability coefficients were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and the prediction of phenotypic and genotypic values for the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP). The Selegen-REML/BLUP software was used for analysis of the variables. There was great influence of environmental variance in phenotypic variance for traits, CF, DC and NP. Average magnitude of repeatability values were obtained for the LL, CF and DC. The genotypes that presented potential for greater production of biomass were H16, H17, G, P1, H4, P4, H25 and H22.

With a high growth rate and a DM yield of up to 80 t ha-1 yr¹, elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) has been utilized as an alternative source of energy. However, genotypes adapted to and productive in the different regions of Brazil need to be developed. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to estimate and evaluate heterotic effects in elephant-grass hybrids obtained in a partial diallel cross (5 x 5), with the aim of assisting the superior hybrids selection for bioenergy production. The experiment was conducted in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The following traits were evaluated: plant height (HGT), stem diameter (SD), leaf blade width (LBW), number of tillers per linear meter (NT), percentage of DM (%DM), and DM yield (DMY). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with 35 treatments (five female parents, five male parents, and 25 hybrid combinations) and three replicates. The adopted statistical model was that of Miranda Filho and Geraldi, in an adaptation of Gardner and Eberhart. Significant heterosis was observed for most traits in the rainy and dry seasons. Hybrid combinations H1 (’Cubano Pinda’ x ’Mercker’), H7 (’Cameroon-Piracicaba’ x ’Três Rios’), H8 (’Cameroon-Piracicaba’ x ’Mercker 86-Mexico’), H17 (’IAC-Campinas’ x ’Três Rios’), H18 (’IAC-Campinas’ x ’Mercker 86-Mexico’), and H25 (’Guacu/IZ.2’ x ’Roxo’) showed potential for use in breeding programs that aiming at develop clones with a energy biomass production capacity high.

Neste trabalho caracterizou-se a qualidade dos frutos em diferentes pontos de colheita para armazenamento das cultivares de maracujá: BRS Gigante Amarelo, BRS Ouro Vermelho e BRS Sol do Cerrado. Foram avaliados as características físicas dos frutos (aparência, perda de massa, coloração da casca) e os parâmetros químicos do suco (conteúdo de acidez, pH, ácido ascórbico, sólidos solúveis totais, açúcares solúveis totais e açúcares redutores). Utilizou-se uma Amostragem Simples ao Acaso (ASA), com 0,05 de significância e as médias foram comparadas pelo Teste "t" por Intervalo de Confiança. Os frutos colhidos nos estádios iniciais de amadurecimento apresentaram maior perda de massa e alteração da qualidade do suco. Conclui-se que os frutos das diferentes cultivares colhidos na safra de verão (novembro/dezembro) devem ter pelo menos 55% de casca com coloração amarela para proporcionar menor perda de massa, manter a qualidade do suco e aumentar a sua vida útil.

In this study the fruit quality was characterized at different harvest points for storage of varieties of passion fruits: BRS Gigante Amarelo, BRS Ouro Vermelho and BRS Sol do Cerrado. The physical characteristics of fruits (appearance, mass loss and peel color) and chemical parameters of juice (content of acidity, pH, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars) were characterized. The method of Simple Random Sampling (SRS) was applied, with 0.05 level of significance, and means were compared using the "t" Test for Confidence Intervals. Fruits harvested in the early ripening stages showed a higher mass loss as well as the worst juice quality. It was concluded that fruits of different cultivars harvested in summer seasons must present at least 55% of yellow peel color to render the lower mass loss, the best quality of juice and to extend the storage time.