RESUMO O gesso é utilizado na agricultura para o fornecimento de nutrientes ao sistema solo-planta, aumento da profundidade do sistema radicular das culturas e, também, para mitigar os efeitos do estresse hídrico nas plantas. No entanto, seu uso indiscriminado pode levar à redução do conteúdo de nutrientes catiônicos da superfície do solo, principalmente o potássio. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a viabilidade da utilização de gesso, associado à aplicação de potássio, no cultivo de couve-flor, cultivar Sharon. O experimento foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 5×5, sendo avaliadas cinco doses de K (0, 100, 180, 240 e 360 kg ha−1 de K2O) e cinco doses de gesso (0, 500, 1.000, 2.000 e 4.000 kg ha−1) no delineamento em blocos completos casualizados, com três repetições. Foram determinados os teores foliares de N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, B, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn e a massa comercial da cabeça, o diâmetro da cabeça, o diâmetro do pedúnculo e a altura da cabeça. A aplicação de 360 kg ha−1 de K2O resultou no aumento de 29,69% no teor foliar de K e 18,94% na massa comercial da cabeça, em relação à dose de 0 kg ha−1 de K2O. A aplicação da dose máxima de gesso, resultou na redução dos teores foliares de enxofre (14,71%) e manganês (25,11%) e, aumento dos teores foliares de cobre (16,97%). Com base nos resultados observados, conclui-se que para a cultura da couve-flor, as doses de gesso e K2O recomendadas são de, respectivamente, 4.000 e 360 kg ha−1.

ABSTRACT Gypsum is widely used in agriculture to supply nutrients to the soil-plant system. However, the excessive use of gypsum may lead to a reduction of cationic soil nutrients such as potassium in the most superficial soil layer. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using gypsum and potassium for cauliflower crop nutritional status and commercial production. The experiment was conducted in 5×5 factorial scheme, corresponding to five K doses (0, 100, 180, 240, 360 kg ha−1 of K2O) and five gypsum doses (0, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 kg ha−1) in dystrophic Red Latosol. Leaf N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn contents, commercial head mass, diameter and height and peduncle diameter were evaluated. The application of 360 kg ha−1 of K2O resulted in 29.69% more K in cauliflower leaf and 18.94% more commercial head mass compared to the non-application of K. The application of 4000 kg ha−1 of gypsum resulted in reductions of leaf S and Mn and increase in leaf Cu. Based on the results observed, 4000 kg ha−1 of gypsum and 360 kg ha−1 K2O could be required for high cauliflower production.

ABSTRACT Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a horticultural plant species of great socioeconomic value in tropical countries such as Colombia and Brazil. The production of zucchini is qualitatively and quantitatively affected by many diseases, especially viruses belonging to the Potyvirus (Zucchini yellow mosaic virus - ZYMV) and Comovirus (Squash mosaic virus - SqMV) groups. The primary strategy to reduce the spread of potentially damaging plant viruses is the development of genotypes with genetic tolerance; however, there are not many zucchini genotypes with multiple tolerance. Therefore, this study evaluated 66 zucchini genotypes to find sources of tolerance to the ZYMV and SqMV viruses. This experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design using genotypes from the germplasm bank of the Federal University of Uberlândia, including the genotypes: Emanuela (common commercial genotype) ‘Tronco Caserta’ (susceptible genotype) and PX 13067051 (resistant genotype). Leaf extracts containing viral particles were used as inoculant, and the distribution of grades of tolerance was recorded at the seedling stage. The lineages UFU-C×UFU-A#18#3;1, UFU-C×UFU-F#19#11;3, UFU-F#4#9;1, and UFU-D×UFU-F#7#21;1 and the Emanuela cultivar are alternatives for the production of new zucchini genotypes or hybrids with tolerance to the viruses ZYMV and SqMV. More severe symptoms were observed, as well as a larger number of susceptible genotypes for the ZYMV virus, indicating that this virus has great potential for causing damage and losses to zucchini crops.

RESUMEN El calabacín (Cucurbita pepo L.) es una especie de planta hortícola de gran valor socioeconómico en países tropicales como Colombia y Brasil. Su producción se ve afectada tanto cualitativa como cuantitativamente por muchas enfermedades en especial por los virus pertenecientes a los grupos Potyvirus (Virus de mosaico amarillo de Zucchini - ZYMV) y Comovirus (Virus de mosaico de calabaza - SqMV). La estrategia principal para reducir la propagación de virus vegetales potencialmente dañinos es el desarrollo de genotipos con tolerancia genética; sin embargo, no hay muchos genotipos de calabacín con tolerancia múltiple. Por lo tanto, este estudio evaluó 66 genotipos de calabacín para encontrar fuentes de tolerancia a los virus ZYMV y SqMV. El experimento se llevó a cabo en un diseño completamente aleatorio utilizando genotipos del banco de germoplasma de la Universidad Federal de Uberlândia, incluyendo los genotipos: 'Emanuela' (genotipo comercial común), 'Caserta' (genotipo susceptible) y 'PX 13067051' (genotipo resistente). Los extractos de hojas que contienen partículas virales se utilizaron como inoculantes y la distribución de los grados de tolerancia se registró en la etapa de plántula. Los linajes UFU-C×UFU-A#18#3;1, UFU-C×UFU-F#19#11;3, UFU-F#4#9;1, UFU-D×UFU-F#7#21;1, y el cultivar Emanuela son alternativas para la producción de nuevos genotipos de calabacín o híbridos tolerancia a los virus ZYMV y SqMV. Se observaron síntomas más graves, así como un mayor número de genotipos susceptibles para el virus ZYMV, lo que indica que este virus tiene un gran potencial para causar daños y pérdidas al cultivo de calabacín.

RESUMO Com a finalidade de se conhecer melhor sobre o manejo de Meloidogyne exigua na cultura da seringueira, foram testados em campo dois métodos de controle, o químico e o biológico, da Morte Descendente da Seringueira. Assim, neste trabalho, objetivou-se avaliar a resposta de seis tratamentos: T1 – Testemunha, T2 - Paecilomyces lilacinus + Trichoderma harzianum (300 g ha-1 de cada), T3 - Trichoderma asperelloides (1 g L-1) + Bacillus subtilis (1 mL L-1) + Bacillus methilotrophicus (2 mL L-1), T4 – Cadusafós (15 L ha-1), T5 – Bacillus subtilis + Bacillus licheniformis (1,0 a 1,5 kg ha-1) e T6 -Fluensulfone (3 L ha-1), e seus potenciais de ação sobre este nematoide. Além disso, verificou-se também se houve aumento da produção de látex com os tratamentos e se há relação entre infestação e incremento diamétrico das árvores. O experimento foi conduzido em uma fazenda localizada no Triângulo Mineiro, MG. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com seis tratamentos e cinco repetições. Foram realizadas quatro amostragens para determinação da densidade populacional do nematoide em pré e pós aplicações, até 30 dias após a última aplicação. As amostras foram acondicionadas em sacos plásticos e levadas ao Laboratório de Nematologia da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia para o processamento. Foram avaliados o fator de reprodução, a produtividade de látex e o diâmetro médio das árvores. De todos os tratamentos utilizados, o T5 e T2 demonstraram redução do fator de reprodução em comparação aos demais. Nenhum dos produtos demonstrou eficiência quanto às três características de produtividade avaliadas: kg ha-1, kg árvore-1 e kg parcela-1, indicando que ainda não se justifica a recomendação dos produtos para esta característica. Os diâmetros médios das parcelas também não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos utilizados.

ABSTRACT To better understand the management of Meloidogyne exigua in rubber trees, two control methods for rubber tree decline, chemical and biological methods, were tested in the field. Thus, the present study evaluated the response of six treatments: T1 – Control, T2 – Paecilomyces lilacinus + Trichoderma harzianum (300 g ha-1 each), T3 – Trichoderma asperelloides (1 g L-1) + Bacillus subtilis (1 mL L-1) + Bacillus methylotrophicus (2 mL L-1), T4 – Cadusafos (15 L ha-1), T5 – Bacillus subtilis + Bacillus licheniformis (1.0 to 1.5 kg ha-1) and T6 – Fluensulfone (3 L ha-1) and their potential action on nematodes. In addition, a possible increase in latex production due to treatments was studied, as well as a possible relationship between infestation and diameter increment in rubber trees. The experiment was conducted in a farm located in the region of “Triângulo Mineiro”, Minas Gerais State. The study was established in a randomized block design, with six treatments and five replicates. Four samplings were performed to determine nematode population density in pre and post-applications up to 30 days after the last application. The samples were stored in plastic bags and taken to the Nematology Laboratory at Federal University of Uberlândia for analysis. Reproduction factor, latex yield and mean diameter of the trees were evaluated. T5 and T2 reduced the reproduction factor, compared to the other treatments. None of the evaluated products demonstrated efficacy for the productivity characteristics: kg ha-1, kg tree-1 and kg plot-1, suggesting that recommendation of the products is not justifiable yet for this characteristic. Mean diameters of plots were not influenced by the used treatments either.

ABSTRACT This study analyzed the use of the water balance, precipitation, temperature and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) to determine the optimum moment for evaluating infestation by the nematode Meloidogyne exigua in a rubber tree plantation by remote sensing. Nineteen sampling points were defined, divided into three areas, with high and low defoliation degrees, on a property in the Triângulo Mineiro region, where soil and root samples were collected for nematological analysis. Monthly digital images (OLI - Landsat 8 sensor) were obtained from August 2015 to August 2016. Rainfall, temperature and water balance were analyzed. The latter had no correlation with the indices; in contrast, temperature and precipitation correlated directly with NDVI. The best months for nematode soil infestation analysis were December, January and February, while for root infection it was August.

ABSTRACT New strategies for sugarcane production have been very important since the incorporation of ethanol in the Brazilian energy mix in the early 1970s. Prior to planting sugarcane, the soil is prepared, and this process can affect root development and, consequently, sugarcane production. This study was conducted in an area of sugarcane crop renewal in the Cerrado biome (Brazilian tropical savanna), with the objective of identifying which tillage system generates the better root development and improved yield in sugarcane. The treatments were: 1) weed desiccation + moldboard plowing (0.4 m) + mild spike tooth harrowing (0.15 m); 2) subsoiler (0.3 m) + mild spike tooth harrowing (0.15 m); 3) weed desiccation + no-tillage (furrow opening and fertilizer); 4) weed desiccation + subsoiler (0.4 m); 5) ratoon destruction + subsoiler (0.4 m); 6) ratoon destruction + spike tooth harrowing (0.2 m) + moldboard plowing (0.4 m) + mild spike tooth harrowing (0.15 m). Characteristics of the sugarcane root system, such as the root length density, average distance between roots, and root soil exploration, after the first harvest (1.5 years) were studied. Root length density was greater for the treatments that included plowing (0.4 m) and harrowing (0.15 m) operations. The average distance between roots was low in the no-tillage system. The highest sugarcane yield in the plant crop was achieved by management practices with more extensive soil profile disturbances, like plowing followed by harrowing.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia dos métodos “straw test” e imersão em ácido oxálico na identificação dos níveis de resistência do algodoeiro (Gossypium hirsutum) branco e colorido ao mofo-branco (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). Foram avaliados dez genótipos: cinco de fibra colorida, quatro de fibra branca e um genótipo suscetível de fibra branca. Os genótipos MAB-1 de fibra branca e MAC-2 de fibra colorida foram os mais resistentes ao mofo-branco de acordo com os métodos imersão em ácido oxálico e straw test, respectivamente. Esses genótipos podem ser indicados como fontes de resistência para programas de melhoramento. Ambos os métodos analisados são complementares entre si; no entanto, o straw test é mais eficiente na avaliação da resistência dos genótipos de algodão ao mofo-branco.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of the straw and oxalic acid tests to identify resistance levels of white and colored cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) genotypes to white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). Ten genotypes were evaluated: five with colored fiber, four with white fiber, and a white-fiber susceptible genotype. The genotypes MAB-1 with white fiber and MAC-2 with colored fiber were the most resistant to white mold, according to the immersion in oxalic acid and straw tests, respectively. These genotypes can be recommended as resistance sources for breeding programs. Both assessed tests are complementary to each other; however, the straw test is more efficient in evaluating the resistance of cotton genotypes to white mold.