Abstract:Disease detection and classification in crops is crucial for the development and growth of the agricultural sector. Traditional techniques and the low technical level applied to crop control generate significant losses for farmers. Computer vision offers solutions in this field; however, current research focuses on using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which cannot accurately locate the most relevant features in an image. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a deep learning model based on the Vision Transformers (ViT) architecture to detect and classify early and late blight diseases in potato leaves. This research demonstrates how data augmentation, fine-tuning, and transfer learning techniques can improve the model's performance. The dataset for training and testing was taken from the PlantVillage platform. The report of the proposed model's evaluation metrics reaches an accuracy of 99.18% and an F1 score of 98.7%. The results demonstrate a high level of prediction in potato foliar diseases and evidence of the efficiency of attention mechanisms. It is concluded that the model is an innovative and functional tool for farmers.

Resumen:La detección y clasificación de enfermedades en cultivos es crucial para el desarrollo y crecimiento del sector agrícola. El uso de técnicas tradicionales y el bajo nivel técnico aplicado al control de los sembríos generan grandes pérdidas para los agricultores. La visión por computadora aporta soluciones en este campo, no obstante, las investigaciones actuales se centran en el uso de redes neuronales convolucionales (Convolutional Neural Networks, CNNs), las cuales tienen una limitada capacidad para ubicar de forma precisa las características de mayor relevancia en una imagen. Para superar estas limitaciones, nuestro estudio propone un modelo de aprendizaje profundo basado en la arquitectura de Transformadores de Visión (Vision Transformers, ViT) para detectar y clasificar las enfermedades tizón temprano y tizón tardío en las hojas de papa. En esta investigación se evidencia cómo las técnicas de aumento de datos, ajuste fino y aprendizaje por transferencia permiten mejorar el rendimiento del modelo. El conjunto de datos para entrenamiento y prueba fue tomado de la plataforma PlantVillage. El reporte de métricas de evaluación del modelo propuesto alcanza una exactitud de 99.18% y un puntaje F1 de 98.7%. Los resultados demuestran un alto nivel de predicción en las enfermedades foliares de papa y evidencian la eficiencia de los mecanismos de atención. Se concluye que el modelo se consolida como una herramienta innovadora y funcional para los agricultores.

Abstract Bananas are the most widely consumed tropical fruit worldwide. Its production is an important source of economic income in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Recently, banana crops have been affected by the attack of overly aggressive pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum and Mycosphaerella fijiensis. Chemical control is a widely used strategy, which has led to the excessive use of agrochemicals in banana production. There is great concern worldwide about the state of banana crops, which makes environmentally friendly alternatives necessary to cope with the actual threats. Ecuador is one of the main banana producers in the world, so it is essential to innovate production systems by implementing biologically sustainable alternatives to minimize environmental impacts and warranty productivity. This review aims to consolidate key information on banana-associated fungi, including isolation and introduction techniques of endophytic fungi. Finally, relevant research on biotechnological strategies based on endophytic and mycorrhizal fungi to improve banana production is included. We expect this review will provide insights into experimental investigations in the design of fungal inoculants.

Resumen El banano es la fruta tropical de mayor consumo mundial. Su producción es un importante ingreso económico en países de Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Recientemente, el cultivo de banano se ha visto afectado por el ataque de patógenos muy agresivos como Fusarium oxysporum y Mycosphaerella fijiensis. El control químico es una estrategia ampliamente utilizada, que ha llevado al uso excesivo de agroquímicos en la producción bananera. Existe una gran preocupación mundial por el estado de los cultivos de banano, siendo necesario encontrar alternativas amigables con el medio ambiente. Ecuador es uno de los principales productores de banano en el mundo, por lo que es fundamental innovar el sistema de producción mediante la implementación de alternativas biológicamente sostenibles para minimizar el impacto ambiental y garantizar la productividad. La presente revisión pretende consolidar información clave sobre los hongos asociados al banano, incluyendo técnicas de aislamiento e introducción de endófitos. Finalmente, se incluyen investigaciones relevantes sobre estrategias biotecnológicas basadas en hongos endofíticos y micorrízicos para mejorar la producción de banano. Nuestro objetivo es que esta revisión proporcione información para la investigación experimental en el diseño de inoculantes fúngicos.

ABSTRACT Crop rotation and straw return are important sustainable agricultural practices. However, their combined impact on the soil microbiota is poorly understood. Here, the effects of crop rotation and straw return on rice (Oryza sativa L.) productivity, soil properties and soil microbial community was investigated in a Chinese southern paddy soil. There were six treatments, including rice-fallow (RF), rice-rape (Brassica campestris L.) rotation (RR), rice-edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) rotation (RE), RF with rice straw return (RFS), RR with rice and rape straw return (RRS), and RE with rice and edamame straw return (RES). The results showed that rice yields in RR and RE were increased by 6.28% and 6.93% relative to RF and straw return group increased by 3.03%-8.16% relative to the group without straw return. Rotation increased soil available P (AP) and RRS significantly increased soil organic matter (OM), total N (TN) and available K (AK) in comparison with RR. Rotation impacts soil microbial community in a stronger way than straw return. Rotation increased the bacterial species numbers and fungal Shannon index. Disease-suppressing bacteria were enriched and some fungal pathogen was decreased in rotation treatments. Straw return had no potential risk in increasing the microbial pathogens. Soil fertilities like AK and AP were closely correlated with bacterial alpha-diversity and rice yield. In conclusion, our research demonstrated that combined crop rotation and straw return is an optimum agricultural practice in increasing rice productivity and soil fertility. The impacts of crop rotation and straw return on the microbiota were distinct. These findings help us manage the crops and residues in southern China.

ABSTRACT Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is highly recalcitrant to in vitro interventions. There is a need to overcome various bottlenecks to standardize a repeatable protocol for in vitro regeneration in coconut to meet the requirements of quality planting materials. Epigenetic processes, especially DNA methylation, are known to assay crucial roles in regulating genes controlling plant growth and development, especially somatic embryogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the supplementation of 5-azacytidine (5-azaC), a demethylating agent, in the coconut tissue culture media can enhance the formation of embryogenic calli, somatic embryos, and plantlet regeneration from transverse thin sections of mature zygotic embryos. Transverse thin cell layer (tTCL) sections of zygotic embryos were cultured onto Y3 medium supplemented with different concentrations of 5-azaC (0, 10, 15, and 20 µM), auxins (2,4-D, picloram and atrazine; 75 and 100 µM) and thidiazuron (TDZ;4.5 µM). Explants were exposed to constant 5-azaC and reduced auxin concentration in subsequent sub-culturing. Our results indicated supplementing 15 µM 5-azaC, in combination with picloram (75 µM) and TDZ (4.54 µM), improved the percentage of callusing (95.8%) and formation of embryogenic calli (87.5%), and formation of somatic embryos (4.7) and plantlets (4.0) per explant in comparison with control having 80.8%, 75.0%, 1.6 and 0.67, respectively from tTCL sections of mature zygotic embryos. The results will form the basis for designing more efficient coconut tissue culture protocols.

RESUMO: A mineração humana contribui para aumentar a liberação de cromo (Cr) no ambiente. Para a fitorremediação de solo com alto teor de Cr, o girassol é a escolha certa porque o Cr em suas sementes pode ser removido durante a produção de óleo de semente de girassol. No entanto, o alto teor de Cr no solo inibirá o crescimento do girassol, então os agentes de remediação do solo comumente usados com o plantio de girassol são ácido etilenodiaminotetracético (EDTA) e ácido cítrico (AC). Este estudo conduziu uma meta-análise sobre os efeitos do EDTA e AC no desenvolvimento do girassol sob estresse de Cr. Ele fornecerá uma referência para o girassol para melhorar o solo contaminado com Cr ou uma referência para produzir safras em áreas cultivadas poluídas com Cr. Um total de 97 artigos foram encontrados, e sete estudos foram usados nesta meta-análise de janeiro de 1990 a janeiro de 2022. Os resultados mostraram que o tratamento com EDTA não teve efeito no peso das folhas, peso da parte aérea e peso da raiz. O tratamento com AC teve um efeito positivo no peso das folhas, peso da parte aérea e peso da raiz. EDTA e CA aumentaram a concentração de Cr na raiz, folha e broto. Este estudo recomenda a adição de qualquer agente quelante ou ativador, mas o conteúdo de metais tóxicos no solo deve primeiro ser medido cuidadosamente. Infelizmente, neste estudo, não obtivemos uma dose de referência, e pesquisas futuras devem se concentrar neste problema.

ABSTRACT: Human mining contributes to increasing the release of chromium (Cr) into the environment. For the phytoremediation of soil with high Cr content, sunflower is the right choice because the Cr in its seeds can be removed during the production of sunflower seed oil. However, the high content of Cr in the soil will inhibit the growth of sunflower, so the soil remediation agents commonly used with sunflower planting are ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and citric acid (CA). This study conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of EDTA and CA on the development of sunflower under Cr stress. It will provide a reference for sunflower to improve Cr-contaminated soil or a reference to produce crops in Cr-polluted cultivated areas. A total of 97 articles were found, and 7 studies were used in this meta-analysis from January 1990 to January 2022. The results showed that EDTA treatment had no effect on the leaf weight, shoot weight and root weight. CA treatment had a positive effect on the leaf weight, shoot weight and root weight. EDTA and CA increased the Cr concentration in the root, leaf and shoot. This study recommends the addition of any chelating agent or activator, but the content of toxic metals in the soil must first be measured carefully. Unfortunately, in this study, we did not obtain a reference dose, and future research should focus on this problem.

RESUMO Devido à alta importância do milho como cultura de subsistência e do melhor uso dos recursos hídricos em região semiárida, este estudo teve como objetivo determinar o potencial agronômico, a heterose e a heterobeltiose em diferentes categorias genéticas de híbridos de milho na região semiárida, sob condições de cultivo em sequeiro e irrigação com águas residuais. Foram avaliados 10 genótipos de milho, e suas 45 combinações híbridas, além de cinco genótipos como testemunhas, em regime de sequeiro e sob irrigação com água residuária. Estimou-se a altura da planta, altura da espiga e a produtividade de grãos. Observou-se heterose e heterobeltiose positivas em ambos os ambientes para os híbridos H1, H13, H16, H32, H35, H5, H8 e H9. Os genótipos P2, P3 e P9 mostraram-se como potenciais genitores para criação de novas variedades híbridas de milho no semiárido sergipano. Observou-se maiores desempenhos em regime irrigado com água de reuso, apresentando-se como uma excelente estratégia para a produção de milho em região semiárida. Os híbridos formados pela combinação de variedade × híbrido intervarietal [F1(P1 × P2), F1(P1 × P5)], variedade × híbrido simples [F1(P2 × P6), F1(P2 × P9), F1(P5 × P7) e F1(P5 × P10)], híbrido intervarietal × híbrido simples [F1(P1 × P6) e F1(P1 × P9)] e híbrido duplo [F1(P1 × P10)] sinalizam novas opções de cultivo em região semiárida.

ABSTRACT Considering the high importance of maize as a subsistence crop and the need for optimal use of water resources in semi-arid regions, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic potential, heterosis, and heterobeltiosis within different genetic categories of maize hybrids grown in a semi-arid region in Sergipe, Brazil, under rainfed and wastewater irrigation systems. Ten maize genotypes, their 45 hybrid combinations, and five commercial genotypes as controls were evaluated based on plant height, ear height, and grain yield. Positive heterosis and heterobeltiosis were found under both growing environments for hybrids H1, H13, H16, H32, H35, H5, H8, and H9. Genotypes P2, P3, and P9 were identified as potential parents for the development of new hybrid maize varieties for growing in the semi-arid region of Sergipe. Better agronomic performance was found for the wastewater irrigation system, indicating an excellent strategy for maize production under semi-arid conditions. The hybrids formed by the combination of variety × intervarietal hybrid [F1 (P1 × P2), F1 (P1 × P5)], variety × single hybrid [F1 (P2 × P6), F1 (P2 × P9), F1 (P5 × P7), and F1 (P5 × P10)], intervarietal hybrid × single hybrid [F1 (P1 × P6) and F1 (P1 × P9)], and double hybrid [F1 (P1 × P10)] indicate promising hybrid candidates for maize crops in semi-arid regions.

ABSTRACT One of the main phytosanitary problems in major crops are phytonematodes, which are characterised as difficult to control. In view of this, biocontrol, through the use of biological agents, has become a driving force in controlling these pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of microorganisms, and detect the possibility of antagonistic effects, influence on growth, or synergistic action when microorganisms are jointly applied to crops. Microbiological analyses were carried out to observe the interaction of the fungus Trichoderma asperellum with the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus methylotrophicus. It was found that the interaction between the genera Bacillus and Trichoderma did not promote any increase in the fresh or dry weight of the roots or shoots of the soya plants; however, based on the results of the microbiological analysis of the fungi and bacteria, the interaction was found to be promising, particularly in the evaluation carried out on the seventh day. Considering the number of viable spores, the interaction between B. subtilis + T. asperellum showed better results than B. methylotrophicus + T. asperellum. The Interaction between the genera Bacillus and Trichoderma showed the potential for joint use in the biological control of the soya bean.

ABSTRACT Crop pollination is indispensable for global food security. Studies that summarize the knowledge about pollination of specific crops are relevant because they identify the distribution of pollinators, guide pollinator management and conservation policies, and highlight knowledge gaps. Zucchini is cultivated in several countries, and its production is essentially dependent on pollinators. We aimed to integrate global data on zucchini pollination and answer the following questions: (1) What are the topics addressed and what are the trends of the results? (2) Which organisms pollinate zucchini, and how are they globally distributed? (3) What are the knowledge gaps? We performed a systematic literature review, built a network of countries and pollinators, and compared data on the efficiency of specific pollinators. Studies were conducted in 16 countries. Most studies investigated the frequency and diversity of floral visitors. Other approaches were discussed. Zucchini flowers fed 116 species of pollinators, especially bees. Six countries had almost exclusive groups of native pollinators. Apis, Bombus, and Peponapis were the most frequently recorded bees. Areas with high habitat diversity improve pollination. There was a significant difference in productivity when pollination was carried out by bees compared with pollination by Syrphidae. The main knowledge gaps are (1) the determination of which native, manageable pollinators are efficient for maximum zucchini production, (2) the investigation of how pollination influence fruit nutritional composition and seed quality, and (3) the identification of pollinators to the species level.

Resumo: Biotecnologia é uma área multidisciplinar que utiliza sistemas biológicos, organismos vivos e derivados para modificar produtos e processos específicos. No agronegócio, a Biotecnologia desempenha papel fundamental na produção de alimentos em larga escala, sendo considerada essencial para enfrentar crises alimentares. Este estudo bibliométrico tem como objetivo analisar e apresentar os avanços e aplicações da Biotecnologia no setor do agronegócio, utilizando a produção científica disponível na principal base de dados Web of Science de 2018 a 2023. A Biotecnologia aplicada à agricultura engloba técnicas de engenharia genética para melhorar plantas, animais e microrganismos. Além de contribuir para a segurança alimentar, esta área está alinhada a diversos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Agenda 2030 das Nações Unidas. Constatou-se que a Biotecnologia é um tema transversal que abrange áreas mais técnicas com uma mescla de tópicos como nanotecnologia, engenharia genética, questões regulatórias, riscos, impactos positivos e negativos, inovação, formas de reprodução de sementes, sustentabilidade e aplicações verdes. Os autores, instituições e países que se destacaram são de: Estados Unidos, China, Índia, Reino Unido, Brasil, Coreia, Polônia, França e Alemanha. Esta pesquisa demonstrou os avanços e aplicações para reduzir riscos negativos, inovações advindas de novas técnicas e os desafios técnicos e legais enfrentados por pesquisadores neste campo de estudo e forneceu insights valiosos, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento da Biotecnologia aplicada no agronegócio, promovendo não apenas avanços científicos e tecnológicos, mas também abordando questões sociais e ambientais. Além de demonstrar que as aplicações biotecnológicas no agronegócio abrangem desde melhoramentos genéticos em culturas agrícolas até a criação de materiais biodegradáveis e soluções sustentáveis.

Abstract: Biotechnology is a multidisciplinary area that uses biological systems, living organisms and derivatives to modify specific products and processes. In agribusiness, Biotechnology plays a fundamental role in large-scale food production, being considered essential to face food crises. This bibliometric study aims to analyze and present the advances and applications of Biotechnology in the agribusiness sector, using the scientific production available in the main Web of Science database from 2018 to 2023. Biotechnology applied to agriculture encompasses genetic engineering techniques to improve plants, animals and microorganisms. In addition to contributing to food security, this area is aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. It was found that Biotechnology is a transversal theme that covers more technical areas, with a mix of topics such as nanotechnology, genetic engineering, regulatory issues, risks and positive and negative impacts, innovation, forms of seed reproduction, sustainability and green applications. Authors, institutions and countries that stood out are from: United States, China, India, United Kingdom, Brazil, Korea, Poland, France and Germany. This research demonstrated advances and applications in order to reduce negative risks, innovations arising from new techniques and the technical and legal challenges faced by researchers in this field of study and provided valuable insights, contributing to the development of Biotechnology applied in agribusiness, promoting not only scientific and technological advances, but also addressing social and environmental issues. In addition to demonstrating that biotechnological applications in agribusiness range from genetic improvements in agricultural crops to the creation of biodegradable materials and sustainable solutions.

ABSTRACT Organic fertilization with tobacco powder compost produced via solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a recent practice that needs to be evaluated through research. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two nitrogen sources – tobacco powder compost or mineral fertilizer (NPK) – and of compost doses on N use and loss in an immediate and residual way in a wheat/corn crop succession in a subtropical Argissolo. The wheat/corn crop succession was established after three successive fertilizer applications with different doses of the compost and of NPK. The following treatments were evaluated: control without application of the compost or mineral fertilizer (C0); mineral fertilization (NPK); and three doses of tobacco powder compost calculated to supply half (C50), the same amount (C100), and double (C200) the N applied via mineral NPK fertilization. To evaluate the residual effect of the fertilizer applications, the C50, C100, C200, and NPK treatments gave rise to additional treatments that did not receive more fertilization: rC50, rC100, rC200, and rNPK, respectively. The C0 generated an additional treatment that came to receive compost, identified as C0-C100. Yield and N accumulation in the aerial part of wheat and corn and N2O emission were evaluated throughout the two crop periods. Compost, in comparison to NPK, maintained the grain yield of wheat (3.0 vs2.5 Mg ha-1) and of corn (10.2 vs 9.5 Mg ha-1) and increased N accumulation in the wheat plants (96 vs 68 kg ha-1) and corn plants (191 vs 164 kg ha-1). Compost increased cumulative N2O emissions by up to three times compared to NPK (6.84 vs 1.93 kg N-N2O ha1 yr1). Increasing the compost dose increased cumulative N2O emissions by 52 % (9.36 vs 6.16 ha-1 yr-1); however, it did not change the emission factor (EF) of N2O, the yield-scaled emission, or N use efficiency. The compost residual effect increased wheat yield up to 93 % and corn yield up to 102 %, whereas no residual effect was observed from NPK. Compost applied on the previous crops did not affect N2O emissions in wheat or in corn; consequently, a residual effect did not impact the EF of N2O. Therefore, tobacco powder compost has the potential to replace mineral fertilization in wheat and in corn. Considering its residual effect is an important strategy to optimize its use and mitigate N2O emissions to the atmosphere.

Due to the expansion of farming, many agricultural systems now depend more on chemical pesticides and inorganic fertilisers to boost farm output. Leguminous cover crops are used to improve soil fertility and to increase nitrogen availability for crop production. This review focuses mainly on evaluating the role of leguminous cover crops on soil's physical, chemical and biological properties. Furthermore, it focuses on the role of cover crops in crop biomass, grass nutritive value and crop-livestock grazing systems. This review used the Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases (accessed between January 2003 and December 2022). To find publications in the scope of the study, the authors combined different groups of keywords. The reviewed literature revealed that leguminous cover crops significantly increase yield due to an increase of nitrogen through nitrogen fixation. In addition, leguminous cover crops boost the forage's nutritional value, lowering feed costs and increasing livestock productivity. As a result of these findings, farmers can reap the benefits of leguminous cover crops in various ways, including enhancement of soil health, biomass, yield and reducing overall production costs.

Climate variability, programming gaps and poor agricultural extension services hinder small-scale farmers' agricultural productivity in Southern Africa, Zambia inclusive. These agricultural challenges have not spared Zambia's food security pack programme beneficiaries. Using a mixed method design, this study investigated other economic activities that the 147 vulnerable farming households pursued, besides relying on the food security pack programme in the Mpulungu district. The study established that unpredictable rainfall, late delivery of farming inputs, and poor agriculture extension services were the major challenges that affected the productivity of the beneficiary households. To mitigate these challenges, the findings revealed that the beneficiaries grew crops other than those provided under the programme. Also, most respondents pursued other livelihood strategies such as receiving remittances from migrant relatives, petty trading, safety nets, and wage labour. The study concludes that the beneficiaries pursued other economic activities to enhance household food security apart from relying on what the programme provided. The study recommends investment intensification in agricultural research to produce pro-poor drought-resistant crop varieties, timeous distribution of farming inputs to beneficiaries, increasing extension staffing levels to bridge the staff-farmer ratio gap, and introducing in-service refresher training for agriculture extension staff.

South Africa, a rich tapestry of diverse communities, is home to at least nine major ethnic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Bapedi [North Sotho], Batswana, South Ndebele, Basotho [South Sotho], Venda, Tsonga, and Swati). Each group, deeply rooted in their culture and traditions, consumes a unique array of foods. Often considered indigenous, these foods are sourced from the wild and grown using traditional production techniques. The literature indicates indigenous foods have been a staple in many parts of the country for centuries. Although this study's findings are based on three districts in northern KwaZulu-Natal, similarities have been noted in previous studies conducted within and across regions, particularly in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The research methodology involved using the Chi-square test method, a correlation analysis, and the computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software package Atlas. Ti. These methods were used to determine the existing relationship between extension services and the production of underutilised indigenous food crops (UIFCs). Theoretical findings then corroborated the statistical data. This research's findings imply that while several agricultural extension service providers (AESPs) advise on the production and utilisation of UIFCs, the inverse was true of others. Participants indicated that much of the knowledge passed to them mainly involved exotic vegetables such as Spinacia oleracea and Brassica oleracea and excluded local foods such as Bidens pilosa and Momordica foetida. One of the emerging themes was AESPs' invisibility in communities, which was found to be a contributing factor to non-inclusive food systems. Thus, the study contributes to the knowledge domain by outlining a need for AESPs' visibility in communities and accentuates opportunities that AESPs miss in not participating in building inclusive food systems. The paper concludes by recommending the inclusion of UIFCs in the continued professional development (CPD) of AESPs, wherein the significance of UIFCs would be enshrined.

ABSTRACT Water application to cultivated soil is often done without careful consideration in irrigated agriculture, leading to inefficient or suboptimal water usage. In many instances, the intricate relationship between soil, water, and plants, as well as the potential and limitations of irrigation systems, is overlooked. Sustainable irrigated agriculture necessitates the development of a soil moisture monitoring system that curtails water loss and enhances overall efficiency. This study aimed to develop and assess the efficiency of an intelligent system for monitoring soil moisture. The system comprises two stations: the first collects data on apparent soil moisture parameters using sensors, while the second transmits this data to a central processing station. The system precisely determines current soil moisture values, enabling estimation of the required irrigation water volume to meet the crop’s water demand based on field capacity. Results from the calibration curve of the sensors indicate that the system can measure current soil moisture precisely, aiding in irrigation management. For irrigated areas under unsaturated soil conditions, it is recommended to use tensiometers due to their higher reliability between field capacity and permanent wilting point, ensuring more accurate irrigation practices. usage instances plants systems overlooked stations station values crops crop s management conditions point practices

RESUMO Na agricultura irrigada, é comum a aplicação de água no solo cultivado sem critério, resultando em uso ineficiente ou não otimizado da água. Em muitos casos, a relação solo-água-planta, bem como as potencialidades e limitações dos sistemas de irrigação são ignoradas. A agricultura irrigada sustentável requer o desenvolvimento de um sistema de monitoramento da umidade do solo que evite a perda de água e melhore a eficiência do uso. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar a eficiência de um sistema inteligente de monitoramento da umidade do solo. O sistema é composto por duas estações: a primeira coleta os dados sobre parâmetros de umidade aparente do solo usando sensores, enquanto a segunda transmite esses dados para uma estação de processamento central. O sistema determina precisamente os valores atuais de umidade do solo, permitindo estimar o volume de água de irrigação necessário para atender à demanda hídrica da cultura com base na capacidade de campo. Os resultados da curva de calibração dos sensores indicam que o sistema pode medir com precisão a umidade do solo atual, auxiliando no manejo da irrigação. Para áreas irrigadas em condições de solo não saturado, recomenda-se o uso de tensiômetros devido à sua maior confiabilidade entre a capacidade de campo e o ponto de murcha permanente, garantindo práticas de irrigação mais precisas. critério casos soloáguaplanta, soloáguaplanta planta, planta solo-água-planta ignoradas estações central atual saturado recomendase recomenda se permanente precisas

RESUMO O corte mecanizado da cana-de-açúcar necessita de aprimoramentos, visto que as ferramentas de corte podem afetar a longevidade dos canaviais e aumentar os custos de produção. Além disso, essas ferramentas podem aumentar a demanda energética das máquinas no campo. Este estudo avaliou o desempenho de colhedoras de cana-de-açúcar equipadas com distintos mecanismos de corte basal: corte por impacto (lâminas) e corte contínuo (serras) em três áreas comerciais de produção de cana-de-açúcar. O consumo efetivo de combustível e a capacidade efetiva de colheita das máquinas foram avaliados em cada tratamento. O delineamento experimental adotado foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 3 × 2 com seis repetições. As serras aumentaram o consumo de combustível por área em 3,9 e 8,9% por Mg colhido. As características produtivas da cultura determinam a demanda energética dos sistemas de colheita. Para produtividades acima de 90 Mg ha-1, a demanda energética estabilizou-se até 120 Mg ha-1. A demanda de combustível para a colheita variou entre 1,0 e 1,2 L Mg-1 de material colhido. Os resultados mostram que independente do sistema de corte, cada Mg de cana colhida necessita em média de 37,3 kJ de energia para ser retirado do campo. canadeaçúcar açúcar aprimoramentos disso campo basal lâminas (lâminas (serras canadeaçúcar. açúcar. tratamento repetições 39 9 3, 89 8 8,9 colhido ha1, ha1 ha 1, 1 ha-1 estabilizouse estabilizou se 12 ha1. 1. 10 0 Mg1 Mg- 373 37 37, 8, ha-

ABSTRACT The mechanized cutting of sugarcane requires improvements, as cutting tools can affect the longevity of sugarcane fields and increase production costs. Furthermore, these tools can increase the energy demand of machines in the field. This study evaluated the sugarcane harvester performance equipped with different basal cutting devices: impact cutting (blades) and continuous cutting (saws) in three commercial sugarcane production areas. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme with six repetitions. Effective fuel consumption and harvesting capacity were evaluated. The saws increased fuel consumption per area by 3.9 and 8.9% per Mg harvested. The crop’s yield characteristics determine harvesting systems’ energy demand. For yields above 90 Mg ha-1, energy demand has stabilized up to 120 Mg ha-1. The fuel demand for harvesting ranged between 1.0 and 1.2 L Mg-1 of harvested material. Regardless of the cutting system, each Mg requires 37.3 kJ of energy to be removed from the field. improvements costs Furthermore field devices blades (blades (saws areas repetitions 39 9 3. 89 8 8.9 crops crop s systems ha1, ha1 ha 1, 1 ha-1 12 ha1. 1. 10 0 Mg1 Mg- material system 373 37 37. 8. ha-