Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial adaptive performance of Israeli mango tree cultivars grown in the submedian region of the São Francisco Valley, Brazil. The experiment was carried out from January 2019 to July 2020 using seedlings of the Omer and Shelly cultivars, at six months after transplanting, at a 3×6 m spacing. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks in a 2×3 factorial arrangement, corresponding to the two Israeli mango tree cultivars and the number of branches after formative pruning (three, four, and five branches), with four replicates. Biometric, biochemical, and photosynthetic variables were analyzed, differing between the evaluation times after pruning. The Omer cultivar is more vigorous than Shelly, and formative pruning with three, four, and five branches is recommended for both mango cultivars under the cultivation conditions of the São Francisco Valley.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho adaptativo inicial de cultivares de mangueiras israelenses cultivadas na região do Submédio do Vale do São Francisco, Brasil. O experimento foi realizado de janeiro de 2019 a julho de 2020, tendo-se utilizado mudas das cultivares Omer e Shelly, aos seis meses após o transplante, em espaçamento de 3×6 m. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial 2×3, correspondente às duas cultivares de mangueiras israelenses e ao número de ramos após a poda de formação (três, quatro e cinco ramos), com quatro repetições. Foram analisadas variáveis biométricas, bioquímicas e fotossintéticas, que diferiram entre as épocas de avaliação após as podas. A cultivar Omer é mais vigorosa que a Shelly, e a poda formativa com três, quatro e cinco ramos é recomendada para ambas as cultivares de manga nas condições de cultivo do Vale do São Francisco.

RESUMO No semiárido brasileiro o déficit hídrico é um dos principais fatores que compromete o crescimento e o rendimento produtivo das culturas, inclusive do maracujazeiro- amarelo, devido à limitação da assimilação de carbono pela atividade fotossintética dos vegetais. Diante disso, faz-se necessário o manejo do solo com tecnologias que possam reduzir a perda de água no solo e que amenize os efeitos do déficit hídrico às plantas de maracujazeiro-amarelo cultivadas em condições de semiaridez. Objetivou-se avaliar a aplicação no solo de doses de hidrogel e mulching sob os aspectos fisiológicos do cultivo de maracujazeiro-amarelo irrigado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em delineamento em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 5 × 2, referente às cinco doses de hidrogel (0,0, 0,5, 1,0, 1,5 e 2,0 g dm−3 de solo) no solo sem e com cobertura vegetal oriunda braquiária (Brachiaria decumbens L.). As variáveis analisadas foram índices de clorofila, fluorescências (inicial, máxima e variável) e trocas gasosas. O índice de clorofila total foi elevado com a aplicação de 1,5 g dm−3 e uso de mulching, ao se aplicar doses de 2,0 g dm−3 de hidrogel a taxa fotossintética das plantas de maracujazeiro-amarelo aumentou, já a taxa de transpiração das plantas foi incrementada com o uso de cobertura vegetal e doses de hidrogel, como consequência houve redução na eficiência do uso da água.

ABSTRACT In the Brazilian semi-arid region, water deficit is one of the main factors that compromise the growth and productive yield of crops, including yellow passion fruit, due to the limitation of carbon assimilation by the photosynthetic activity of plants. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the soil with technologies that can reduce the loss of water in the soil and mitigate the effects of water deficit on yellow passion fruit plants cultivated under semi-arid conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of hydrogel doses and mulching to the soil on the physiological aspects of irrigated yellow passion fruit cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, referring to five doses of hydrogel (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g dm−3 of soil) in soil without and with mulching from signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens L.). The variables analyzed were chlorophyll indices, fluorescence (initial, maximum and variable) and gas exchange. The total chlorophyll index was increased with the application of 1.5 g dm−3 of hydrogel and the use of mulching; when applying hydrogel doses of 2.0 g dm−3 the photosynthetic rate of yellow passion fruit plants increased, whereas their transpiration rate increased with the use of mulching and doses of hydrogel; as a consequence, there was a reduction in water use efficiency.

Abstract This study evaluate the effect of drought and heat stress on the quality of C. spectabilis seeds. A completely randomized design in a 4×4 factorial scheme, referring to four osmotic potentials based on Polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000 = 0.0, -0.2, -0.4 and -0.8 MPa) and four temperatures (25, 30 and 35 ºC constant and alternating between 25-35 ºC), with four replications of 50 seeds per plot was used. The germination percentage, first count germination, germination speed index, average germination time, average germination speed, length and dry mass of the root, shoot and seedlings were evaluated. C. spectabilis is sensitive to drought stress during germination and seedling establishment, tolerating up to -0.2 MPa. The physiological quality of seeds is reduced with the decrease of osmotic potentials. The temperature range between 25 and 30 ºC are the one that provide better conditions for the germination of the seeds of this species.

ABSTRACT The search for techniques that maximize the use of water is becoming necessary for the sustainability of agriculture in semi-arid areas. In this sense, the present work aimed to evaluate the effects of soil protection against water loss and the use of bovine biofertilizer on fruit production and chlorophyll content in bell pepper plants. The experiment was conducted in the municipal district of Nova Floresta in the semi-arid region of the State of Paraíba during the period of August 2010 to February 2011. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four repetitions in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to soil without and with bovine biofertilizer, without and with mulch, and without and with side coating of the grooves with polyethylene film, to reduce water loss through evaporation and lateral movement of water. The results showed that the use of side coatings of the grooves led to greater production, generating productivity gains in bell pepper cultivation. The association between side coating of the grooves and mulching of the soil resulted in increased levels of chlorophyll, but the bovine biofertilizer × side coating × mulch interaction inhibited the production of chlorophyll in the plants.

ABSTRACT The yellow passion fruit is grown under different edaphoclimatic conditions. Irrigation standardizes and increases the development and productivity of the plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological and productive aspects of yellow passion fruit with application of hydroabsorbent polymer at different irrigation depths. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement. The treatments were soil with and without polymer and five dephts of irrigation (60 to 100% of crop evapotranspiration). Initial, maximum, and variable chlorophyll fluorescence, physiology (photosynthetic rate, internal carbon concentration, transpiration, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency) and production of yellow passion fruit were the variables analyzed. The hydrogel probably retained water in its structure, reducing the ability to dissipate excess energy. Setting the irrigation depth at an estimated 82% of crop evapotranspiration increased photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency of yellow passion fruit plants. Maximum yield was 17.2 t ha-1 in irrigated plants at 100% evapotranspiration (ETc) in soil without hydrogel.

RESUMO A irrigação com água salina é uma necessidade mundial e o excesso de sais da água ou do solo, causa inibição no crescimento e no rendimento da grande maioria das plantas cultivadas. Nesse contexto, os fertilizantes nitrogenados podem constituir alternativa para a mitigação dos efeitos dos sais sobre as plantas. Com isso, objetivou-se avaliar o acúmulo de biomassa e o índice de pigmentos clorofiláticos em mudas de jaqueira irrigadas com água de salinidades crescentes no solo com fontes de nitrogênio. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições e com três plantas por parcela, arranjados em fatorial 5 × 3, relativo aos níveis de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação de 0,3; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0 dS m-1, no solo sem nitrogênio, com sulfato de amônio e com ureia aplicados parceladamente aos 60 e 75 dias após a semeadura. O aumento da salinidade da água elevou a salinidade do solo, a qual foi intensificada pela dose de 150 mg de N, principalmente quando aplicada na forma de sulfato de amônio, ao ponto de inibir a formação de massa da matéria seca e os teores de clorofila em mudas de jaqueira. As maiores reduções no índice de clorofila a e b foram nas mudas de jaqueira irrigadas com água de 4,0 dS m-1 no solo sem adubação nitrogenada. A ureia é a fonte nitrogenada mais indicada para produção de mudas em condições de elevada salinidade.

ABSTRACT Irrigation with saline water is a worldwide necessity an excess of salts in water or in soil causes growth inhibition, and negatively affects the productivity of many crops. Application of nitrogen fertilizers may be a way of mitigating the effects of salts on plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of biomass and the chlorophyll pigment content in jackfruit seedlings irrigated with water of increasing salinity level in soil with nitrogen sources. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks with four replicates and three plants per plot, arranged in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, related to electrical conductivity levels of the irrigation water of 0.3, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, in soil without nitrogen, with ammonium sulfate and with urea, in a split application 60 and 75 days after sowing. An increase in the salinity of the water increased the salinity levels of soil, which was intensified by a dose of 150 mg of N, mainly when applied in the form of ammonium sulfate, inhibiting dry matter production and chlorophyll content in jackfruit seedlings. The greatest reductions in chlorophyll a and b content occurred in jackfruit seedlings irrigated with water of 4.0 dS m-1 conductivity in the soil without nitrogen fertilization. Urea is the most suitable nitrogen source for the production of seedlings under conditions of high salinity.

Abstract Noni is a fruit species cultivated around the world, including Brazil however, scientific information about its nutritional status are scarce, thus justifying the need for more research on this topic to enhance its productive yield. This study aim is to evaluate both the mineral foliar composition and the productivity of noni plants cultivated in soil with cattle manure and potassium (K). The experiment was conducted from July 2012 to November 2013 at the Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Municipality of Bananeiras, Paraíba State. Treatments were organised according to a 5 × 2 factorial design involving five doses of KCl (0; 13.2; 37.5; 61.5; and 69.6 g plant-1) in soil without cattle manure and with 4 kg plant-1, in randomized blocks, with four repetitions and three plants per plot. The number of noni fruits harvested by plants fertilized with cattle manure increased from 51 to 70 fruits plant-1. Compared to coffee trees, noni plants were adequately supplied with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, iron and zinc, but they were deficient in boron and manganese. The application of cattle manure to soil promoted contents of phosphorus and potassium in foliar samples, positively affecting the fruit formation and the production of noni plants.

Resumo: A propagação do maracujazeiro azedo em pomares comerciais é realizada por sementes, no entanto, a germinação das sementes ocorre de maneira irregular. Dentre os fatores que influenciam à germinação no maracujazeiro azedo, a luminosidade atua como ativador para quebra de dormência em Passifloracea, e está diretamente ligada com a profundidade de semeadura. O objetivo no trabalho foi avaliar a emergência e o desenvolvimento de plântulas de maracujazeiro azedo sob diferentes luminosidades e profundidades de semeadura. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 × 5, sendo três períodos de luminosidade (ausência de luz, presença de luz por 12 h e por 24 h) e cinco profundidades de semeadura (1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 cm); com seis repetições de 25 sementes por parcela. As características avaliadas foram porcentagem, índice de velocidade de emergência, o comprimento total, da parte aérea, do sistema radicular e a massa seca individual. A ausência de luminosidade acelera a emergência de plântulas de maracujazeiro azedo, porém produz plântulas de baixa qualidade. Entretanto, a alternância de luminosidade associada a menor profundidade de semeadura favorece tanto a emergência como a qualidade das plântulas produzidas de maracujazeiro azedo 14 dias após a semeadura.

Abstract: The propagation of passion fruit in commercial orchards is carried out by seeds. However, passion fruit seed germination occurs irregularly. The goal of this study was to evaluate the emergence and development of passion fruit seedlings under different luminosities and sowing depths. The experimental design was completely randomized with six replications of 25 seeds, with a 3 x 5 factor scheme, in which three light conditions (absence of light, presence of 12 h light and 12 h dark and the presence of light for 24 h) were combined with five sowing depths (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm). The emergence test was conducted in a BOD-type germination chamber, with alternating temperatures of 20-30 °C, at intervals of 12 h and the established luminosities. The evaluated characteristics were the emergence percentage for weekly counts, the emergence speed index for 28 days; the total shoot and root length on evaluation day 28 and the individual dry weight. The lack of luminosity accelerates the emergence of passion fruit seedlings, but it produces low quality seedlings. However, the alternation of luminosity associated to a lower sowing depth helps both the emergence and the quality of seedlings produced from passion fruit 14 days after sowing.

Resumo: A propagação de plantas de maracujazeiro azedo, em plantios comerciais, é realizada preferencialmente por meio de sementes. O sucesso da germinação e emergência de plântulas, por sua vez, é influenciado pela constituição genéticas das progênies e pelas condições térmicas impostas no ambiente. O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar a emergência e o vigor de plântulas de cultivares de maracujazeiro azedo sob exposição de diferentes temperaturas. O experimento foi conduzido em câmara de germinação na Unidade de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão/Pomar Campus pertencente ao Departamento de Fitotecnia da UFV. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em esquema fatorial 5 × 3, com cinco faixas de temperatura (5-15; 10-20; 15-25; 20-30 e 25-35 °C) e três cultivares de maracujazeiro azedo (BRS Sol do Cerrado, BRS Gigante Amarelo e FB-200 Yellow Master) no delineamento inteiramente casualizado e seis repetições de 25 sementes por parcela. As variáveis analisadas foram as percentagem, índice de velocidade e tempo médio de emergência, o comprimento da parte aérea e total e massa seca de plântula. As cultivares BRS Sol do Cerrado e BRS Gigante Amarelo apresentaram emergência de plântulas acima de 95% nas faixas de temperaturas de 20-30 °C e 25-35 °C. Temperaturas alternadas 20-30 °C estimulam a emergência, o crescimento e maior acúmulo de massa seca das plântulas.

Abstract: Seedlings for commercial growing of passion fruit are preferentially acquired through seeds. Success in germination and seedling emergence, in turn, is influenced by the genetic constitution of the progenies and the thermal conditions imposed on the growth environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the emergence and vigor of seedlings of passion fruit cultivars exposed to different temperatures. The experiment was conducted in a germination chamber at the Unidade de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão / Pomar Campus of the Department of Plant Science of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV). The study was carried out in 5 × 3 factorial arrangement, with five temperature ranges (5-15, 10-20, 15-25, 20-30 and 25-35 °C) and three varieties of passion fruit (BRS Sol do Cerrado, BRS Gigante Amarelo and FB-200 Yellow Master) in a completely randomized design with six replications of 25 seeds per plot. The variables analyzed were the percentage, the speed index, and the average time of emergence, shoot length, total length, and seedling dry matter. The cultivars BRS Sol do Cerrado and BRS Gigante Amarelo exhibited seedling emergence of over 95% in the temperature ranges of 20-30 °C and 25-35 °C. Alternating temperatures from 20-30 °C stimulates seedling emergence, seedling growth, and greater accumulation of seedling dry matter.

RESUMO A salinidade e a sodicidade dos solos são problemas mundiais porque promovem a degradação das propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas dos solos e comprometem a capacidade produtiva das áreas agrícolas. Uma das tentativas de redução do problema é a aplicação de corretivos inorgânicos ou insumos orgânicos associados com plantas tolerantes aos sais. Pelo exposto, o trabalho objetiva avaliar o efeito de insumos orgânicos na rebrota de cepas de nim (Azadirachta indica) após o corte no crescimento das plantas em solo salino - sódico. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições em esquema fatorial 3 × 5, referentes aos insumos orgânicos - esterco bovino, biofertilizante bovino comum (partes iguais de água e esterco fresco de bovino) e biofertilizante enriquecido quimicamente (componentes do biofertilizante comum associados a gesso, melaço de cana - de - açúcar e leite de vaca), aplicados uma única vez, após a lavagem do solo, dois dias antes da semeadura das sementes, aos níveis de 0, 3, 6, 9 e 12 % do volume do substrato. Exceto no diâmetro caulinar, o esterco bovino foi mais eficiente que os biofertilizantes no crescimento em altura e rendimento em biomassa das plantas de nim após o corte, principalmente nos tratamentos em níveis acima de 6 %. Os insumos orgânicos apesar de elevarem a salinidade e a sodicidade do solo no intervalo do final da lavagem até o corte das plantas, estimularam o crescimento biométrico e a formação de biomassa do nim em solo salino sódico.

ABSTRACT Soil salinity and sodicity are global problems since both promote the physical, chemical and biological degradation of soil, jeopardising the productive capacity of agricultural fields. Inorganic correctives or organic inputs are applied as an attempt to reduce the problem, alongside the use of salt -tolerant plants. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of organic inputs on the growth of neem (Azadirachta indica) strains in saline-sodic soil after cutting. Treatments were arranged in a randomised block design, with four replicates in a 3 × 5 factorial. Organic inputs - bovine manure, common bovine biofertilizer (equal parts of water and fresh bovine manure) and chemically enriched biofertilizer (common biofertilizer components combined with plaster, sugarcane molasses and cow’s milk) - were applied only once, after soil washing, two days prior to seeding, at the levels of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% of the substrate volume. Except effects on the stem diameter, the most efficient input was bovine manure, with strong effects on the height increase and biomass yield of neem plants after cutting, especially in treatments at a level greater than 6%. The organic inputs, despite increasing the soil salinity and sodicity in the interval between washing and cutting, stimulated biometric growth and biomass formation in saline-sodic soil.

RESUMO A utilização de água com teor salino elevado está se tornando uma alternativa à produção agrícola mundial, mas, para isso, há necessidade de tecnologias que reduzam os impactos no solo e no rendimento das culturas, como o emprego de lixiviação dos sais do solo ou o uso de espécies tolerantes à salinidade. Nessa direção, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento de plantas de noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) submetidas à irrigação e lavagem do solo com águas de salinidade crescente. O experimento foi desenvolvido em ambiente telado do Centro de Ciência Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba em Areia, PB, em blocos casualizados, com quatros repetições e duas plantas por parcela, usando o arranjo fatorial 5×2, referente a cinco valores de condutividade elétrica das águas de irrigação (0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; 6,0 dS m-1), combinados com presença e ausência de drenagem para a lavagem do solo e lixiviação dos sais. O aumento da condutividade elétrica das águas de irrigação elevou o caráter salino do solo para valores que comprometeram o crescimento biométrico e a produção de biomassa total das plantas de noni, independentemente da ausência ou presença de lixiviação dos sais, mas, com maior severidade, em todas as variáveis, no solo sem drenagem. As plantas do solo sem lixiviação dos sais não sobreviveram à irrigação com água de salinidade estimada de 5,28 dS m-1, não cresceram adequadamente em altura, diâmetro caulinar, emissão de folhas e área foliar e produziram baixos níveis de biomassa sob irrigação com água de condutividade elétrica 4,5 dS m-1.

ABSTRACT The use of water with a high salt content is seen as an alternative in global agricultural production; but there is a need for technologies that reduce the impact on soil and crop yields, such as employing leaching of salts from the soil or the use of salt-tolerant species. With this in mind, the aim of this work was to evaluate the growth of the noni plant (Morinda citrifolia L.) when submitted to irrigation and washing the soil with water of increasing salinity. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse environment of the Centre for Agricultural Science, at the Federal University of Paraiba in Areia, in the State of Paraiba, Brazil. The design was of randomised blocks, with four replications and two plants per lot, using a 5×2 factorial arrangement, representing the five values for electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0 dS m-1), with and without drainage for washing the soil and leaching the salts. Increases in the electrical conductivity of the irrigation water raised the saline character of the soil to values that compromised biometric growth and the total biomass production of the noni plants, whether with or without the leaching of salts; this was more severe for all variables in the soil with no drainage. The plants in soil where there was no leaching, did not survive irrigation with water at an estimated salinity of 5.28 dS m-1, displayed less than adequate growth in height, stem diameter, leaf emission and leaf area, and produced low levels of biomass under irrigation with water at an electrical conductivity of 4.5 dS m-1.

Um experimento foi conduzido em abrigo telado no DSER/CCA/UFPB, no período de Maio/Julho de 2008, para avaliar os efeitos da salinidade da água de irrigação e do biofertilizante bovino no crescimento das mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims). Os tratamentos foram distribuídos no DIC e 12 plantas por parcela, com três repetições, usando o arranjo fatorial 5 x 2 x 2, referente aos níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação: 0.5; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0 dS m-1, no solo sem e com biofertilizante bovino, avaliando aos 25 e 65 dias após emergência das plântulas. Determinando a altura de plantas, diâmetro do caule, massa seca da parte aérea, raiz e total. O aumento da salinidade das águas inibiu o crescimento absoluto e relativo das plantas avaliado pela altura, diâmetro do caule, matéria seca da parte aérea, raízes e total, mas, em qualquer situação, com menor intensidade nos tratamentos com o biofertilizante.

An experiment was carried out under greenhouse in DSER/CCA/UFPB, in period May-July 2008, Paraiba state, Brazil, in order to evaluate the effects of salinity water irrigation and bovine biofertilizer on inittial growth of passion fruit Passiflora edulis Sims seedlings. The treatments were distributed competed randomized design, with three repetitions, in factorial arrangement 5 x 2 x 2, refering at levels of irrigation water salinity: 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, in soil without and with bovine biofertilizer and evaluations made at ages of 25 and 65 days after seedling emergence. For assessing growth the plants’s height, stem diameter, dry matter of the part aerea, roots and dry matter total of the yellow passion fruit plants, but in every condition with low intensity in treatment with bovine biofertilizer.