Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar alguns parâmetros genéticos em Jatropha curcas, para predizer quais características produtivas apresentariam maior ganho genético para identificar qual família mais contribuiria para a seleção de clones e genitores, e identificar o melhor genótipo para a seleção. Seis famílias de irmãos completos, com 18 indivíduos cada, foram avaliadas. Cinco características de produção foram avaliadas no terceiro ano após o plantio. Os dados obtidos foram analisados por meio de modelos mistos. Utilizaram-se os procedimentos de máxima verossimilhança restrita (REML) e a melhor predição linear não viesada (BLUP), para estimar os parâmetros genéticos e predizer os ganhos de seleção, respectivamente. Os efeitos ambientais predominaram sobre os efeitos genéticos na maioria das características avaliadas. A massa da torta de cem sementes apresentou altas estimativas de herdabilidade aditiva. Os componentes individuais da análise BLUP, na seleção das melhores progênies para uso como potenciais genitores, apresentaram valores significativamente semelhantes aos da seleção das melhores progênies para uso como clones. A família F é a mais relevante na seleção de potenciais genitores e clones por meio dos caracteres avaliados. A progênie F9 é o melhor indivíduo para uso como genitor e para propagação vegetativa (clone).

Abstract The objective of this work was to estimate some genetic parameters of Jatropha curcas, in order to predict which productive characteristics could show the greatest genetic gain to identify which family would contribute the most to the selection of clones and parents, and to identify the best genotype for selection. Six full-sibling families with 18 individuals each were evaluated. Five production traits were evaluated in the third year after planting. Data obtained were analyzed through mixed models. The restricted maximum likelihood (REML) and the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) procedures were used to estimate the genetic parameters and to predict the selection gains, respectively. Environmental effects predominated over genetic effects for most evaluated traits. A hundred-seed press cake weight showed high additive heritability estimates. The BLUP analysis individual components, in the selection of the best progenies for use as potentials parents, showed significantly similar values to those of the selection of the best progenies for use as clones. The family F is the most relevant in the selection of potential parents and clones by the evaluated characters. The F9 progeny is the best individual for use as a parent and for vegetative propagation (clone).

Abstract Adenium obesum belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is characterized as a succulent shrub with a multitude of botanical and morphological features of ornamental interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic dissimilarity of 28 accessions of A. obesum using morphological descriptors and multivariate techniques with the aim of pre-selecting the genotypes with the greatest ornamental potential. The distribution of the number of flowers throughout the year showed two flowering peaks in January and September. Twenty-one petal pigmentation patterns were identified, and 50% of the accessions had double-petal arrangement. The Gower’s algorithm and the UPGMA-generated dissimilarity matrix indicated the formation of three groups. While Tocher’s clustering method separated the accessions into eight groups showing greater ability to distinguish the evaluated genotypes. In conclusion, the multivariate analyses applied were effective in accessing the genetic diversity among the 28 accessions evaluated. The accessions ICA001, ICA005, ICA006, ICA018, ICA019, and ICA027 were preselected to compose the germplasm collection due to their high ornamental potential.

Resumo Adenium obesum, conhecida popularmente como rosa-do-deserto, pertence à família Apocynaceae e caracteriza-se por ser um arbusto suculento, com uma infinidade de aspectos botânicos e morfológicos de interesse ornamental. Objetivou-se no presente estudo avaliar a dissimilaridade genética de 28 acessos de A. obesum por meio de descritores morfológicos e técnicas multivariadas com objetivo de pré-selecionar os genótipos com maior potencial ornamental. A distribuição do número de flores durante os meses do ano demonstrou dois picos de florescimento em janeiro e em setembro. Vinte e um padrões de pigmentação petalar foram identificados e 50% dos acessos apresentaram 10 pétalas por flor (arranjo petalar duplo). Considerando os dados mistos, o algoritmo de Gower juntamente com a matriz de dissimilaridade gerada pelo método UPGMA indicou a formação de três grupos. O agrupamento de Tocher separou os acessos em oito grupos. Conclui-se as análises multivariadas aplicadas foram eficazes em acessar a diversidade genética entre os 28 acessos avaliados. Os acessos ICA001, ICA005, ICA006, ICA018, ICA019 e ICA027 foram pré-selecionados para comporem a coleção de germoplasma por apresentarem alto potencial ornamental.

Abstract The characterization of clones is a very important step in genetic certification programs, as it describes and recognizes the plant material at every stage of production, allowing the monitoring of genetic quality, improvement and conservation of the germplasm. The aim of this work was to morphologically characterize two elite banana clones. The experimental design applied was in randomized blocks, with four replications, with six plants per parcel. The treatments consisted of two elite banana clones, Prata Gorutuba R1 and Prata Gorutuba R2 and four commercial cultivars: Prata Gorutuba, Prata Ana, Grande Naine and BRS Princesa. The morphological characterization was carried out in the second production cycle (daughter plant), using 23 qualitative descriptors, visually evaluated, classified according to the instructions for carrying out the distinguishability, homogeneity and stability (DHS) tests of banana cultivars. The elite clones Prata Gorutuba R1 and R2 differed from the cultivars Grande Naine and BRS Princesa regarding the descriptors tapering of the pseudostem, predominant color of the pseudostem, intensity of anthocyanin coloration and color of the underside of the basal sheath. The descriptors made it possible to group elite clones into the Prata group, a group that predominates in crops in Brazil, with characteristics already widely accepted by the market.

Resumo A caracterização dos clones é uma etapa de suma importância em programas de certificação genética, pois descreve e reconhece o material vegetal em toda etapa de produção, permitindo o monitoramento da qualidade genética, o melhoramento e a conservação do germoplasma. Objetivou-se com este trabalho caracterizar, morfologicamente, dois clones-elites de bananeira. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, sendo seis plantas úteis. Os tratamentos foram compostos por dois clones-elites de bananeira Prata Gorutuba R1 e Prata Gorutuba R2 e quatro cultivares comerciais: Prata Gorutuba, Prata-Anã,Grande Naine e BRS Princesa. A caracterização morfológica foi realizada no segundo ciclo de produção (planta-filha), utilizando 23 descritores qualitativos, avaliados visualmente, classificados de acordo com as instruções para execução dos ensaios de distinguibilidade,homogeneidade e estabilidade (DHE) de cultivares de bananeira. Os clones-elites Prata Gorutuba R1 e R2 diferiram das cultivares Grande Naine e BRS Princesa referente aos descritores afunilamento do pseudocaule, cor predominante do pseudocaule, intensidade da coloração antocianínica e cor da face inferior da bainha basal. Os descritorespossibilitaram agrupar os clones-elites no grupo Prata, grupo este predominante em cultivos no Brasil,com características já amplamente aceitas pelo mercado.

Abstract The evaluation of new banana genotypes with agronomic potential and tolerant to the main pests and diseases is essential for the market. The objective was to evaluate the vegetative and productive characteristics of new potential banana clones, such as ‘Prata Gorutuba R1’ and ‘Prata Gorutuba R2’ and commercial cultivars. The experiment was implemented in a rural property located in the municipality of Nova Porteirinha, MG. The treatments consisted of ‘Prata Gorutuba R1’ and ‘Prata Gorutuba R2’ banana clones (genotypes selected from the ‘Prata Anã’ clone ‘Gorutuba’ tolerant to Panama disease) and four cultivars: ‘Prata Gorutuba’, ‘Prata Anã’, ‘Grande Naine’ and ‘BRS Princesa’. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks, with four replications and six useful plants per plot. The planting spacing used was 3.5 m x 1.7 m. The evaluations were carried out in the first and second production cycles. The ‘Prata Gorutuba R1’ and’ Prata Gorutuba R2’ clones in general showed excellent performance compared to the already consolidated cultivars. The clones presented median height and number of leaves in the ideal flowering for banana trees of the ‘Prata’ subgroup. Bunch and bunch weight, as well as production were similar to the ‘Prata Anã’, ‘Prata Gorutuba’ and ‘BRS Princesa’ cultivars. Considering that the clones evaluated present high tolerance to Fusarium wilt, the result indicates that the materials have great potential for the registration of new cultivars.

Resumo Avaliação de novos genótipos de bananeira com potencial agronômico e tolerantes às principais pragas e doenças é essencial para o mercado. Objetivou-se avaliar as características vegetativas e produtivas dos novos potenciais clones-elites de bananeira ‘Prata Gorutuba R1’ e ‘Prata Gorutuba R2’ e de cultivares comerciais. O experimento foi implantado em propriedade no município de Nova Porteirinha-MG. Os tratamentos consistiram nos clones-elites de bananeira ‘Prata Gorutuba R1’ e ‘Prata Gorutuba R2’ (tolerantes à murcha de Fusarium) e das cultivares: ‘PrataGorutuba’, ‘Prata-Anã’, ‘Grande Naine’ e ‘BRS Princesa’. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos emblocos ao acaso,com quatro repetições e seis plantas úteis por parcela. As avaliações foramrealizadas no primeiro e segundo ciclos de produção. Os clones-elites ‘Prata Gorutuba R1’e ‘Prata Gorutuba R2’ apresentaram excelente desempenho, comparados às cultivares jáconsolidadas no mercado. Os clones-elites apresentaram altura de planta considerada mediana e número de folhas no florescimento ideal para bananeiras do subgrupo ‘Prata’. Peso decacho e de pencas, e produção foram semelhantes às cultivares ‘Prata-Anã’, ‘Prata Gorutuba’ e ‘BRS Princesa’. Considerando que os clones avaliados apresentam elevada tolerânciaà murcha de Fusarium, o resultado sugere que os materiais apresentam grande potencialpara o registro de novas cultivares.

Resumo Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult, conhecida popularmente como rosa-do-deserto, tem se tornado uma opção valiosa para o setor de plantas ornamentais. Na floricultura, a produção de híbridos é priorizada, para isso, o conhecimento da biologia floral e da reprodução sexuada da espécie é fundamental. Objetivou-se com o presente estudo: (1) testar concentrações de sacarose e temperaturas na germinação in vitro de grãos de pólen de Adenium obesum; (2) identificar o efeito da temperatura na viabilidade de grãos de pólen de Adenium obesum e; (3) avaliar a viabilidade dos grãos de pólen e receptividade estigmática pré-antese, abertura floral e 72 horas pós-abertura floral em três acessos de Adenium obesum. Interação significativa entre temperaturas e concentrações de sacarose foi observada no teste de germinação in vitro. A maior porcentagem de germinação in vitro dos grãos de pólen, 39,81% foi observada na temperatura estimada de 26,05 °C. Os acessos de rosa-do-deserto mantidos em B.O.D. sob temperatura de 30 °C e fotoperíodo de 16 horas de luz apresentaram florescimento mais rápido e as temperaturas ≥ 25 °C indicaram porcentagens de viabilidade dos grãos de pólen acima de 69%. A temperatura é um dos fatores abióticos mais importantes, influencia a germinação dos grãos de pólen, crescimento do tubo polínico e pode afetar a fertilização. O acesso ICA-bd destacou-se e pode ser considerado como doador de pólen em polinizações artificiais. O estigma das flores encontrou-se receptivo desde um dia antes da abertura das flores até três dias após a flor abrir. Os dois parâmetros apresentados acima, receptividade estigmática e viabilidade polínica, permitem fazer inferências importantes sobre os momentos mais apropriados para a polinização e subsequente fertilização na rosa-do-deserto.

Abstract Adenium obesum (Forssk.) Roem. & Schult., popularly known as desert rose, has become a valuable ornamental plant. In floriculture, the production of hybrids is prioritized. Hence, knowledge on floral biology and sexual reproduction of the target species is fundamental. The objectives of this study were: (1) to test sucrose concentrations and temperatures for in vitro germination of A. obesum pollen grains; (2) to identify the effect of temperature on the viability of A. obesum pollen grains; and (3) to evaluate the viability of pollen grains and stigma receptivity in pre-anthesis, at flower opening, and 72 h post-flower opening in three accessions of A. obesum. A significant relationship between temperatures and sucrose concentrations was observed in the in vitro germination test. The highest percentage of in vitro germination of pollen grains, 39.81%, was observed at an estimated temperature of 26.05 °C. Desert rose accessions maintained in biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) chambers at 30 °C during a 16-h light photoperiod showed faster flowering, and temperatures ≥ 25 °C induced pollen grain viability percentages above 69%. Temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors, influencing mainly in pollen germination, pollen tube growing and in efficiency fertilization. The ICA-wd accession stood out and can be considered a pollen donor in artificial pollination. The stigmas of flowers were receptive from a day before flower opening until three days after. The two parameters presented above, stigma receptivity and pollen viability, allow inferences about the appropriate time for successful pollination and subsequent fertilization in desert roses.

Abstract Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (foc) is one of the main diseases affecting banana crops. Biological control emerges as an alternative technology to prevent the spread of the disease. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of endophytic bacteria isolated from banana Prata Anã challenged with the foc in pairing and volatile tests under in vitro conditions. Forty endophytic isolates of the genera Bacillus, Klebsiella, Paenibacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Lysinibacillus and Sporolactobacillus isolated from banana roots were challenged with foc. The principal component analysis showed that the spore germination variable in the presence of bacterial cells explained better the variance (29.88%). Spore germination in the presence of bacterial cells, number of spores/cm2 in paired and volatile tests, and colony area in volatile tests explained about 86.10% of the total variance observed. The isolate EB37 (Bacillus sp., JN215502.1) reduced 96% of the germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense spores. The UPMGA clustering method based on Euclidean distance divides the 40 endophytic bacteria isolates into eight groups. The autochthonous bacteria isolated from Musa sp. of the genera Bacillus, Lysinibacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Sporolactobacillus and Paenibacillus showed promising results in foc control under in vitro conditions.

Abstract Perennial plant breeding is an expensive and time-consuming process, mainly due to the extended growth time for juveniles. In these cases, the use of molecular marker-assisted selection (MMAS) allows for the selection of a characteristic of interest at the seed or seedling stages. The objective of this work was to characterize the segregation of the INO locus and to use MMAS for the early selection of seedless genotypes of atemoya 'Gefner' [(G; Annona cherimola Mill. × Annona squamosa L.) × Brazilian seedless (Bs; Annona squamosa)]. After primer validation and MMAS, 24 plants of the F2 population were selected and designated as candidate genotypes for the absence of seeds, as INO alleles were absent in them. For further studies on breeding programs for this species, 53 heterozygous seedlings were considered as genetic resources during selection. timeconsuming consuming process juveniles cases markerassisted marker assisted (MMAS stages Gefner 'Gefner G [(G Mill L. L Bs (Bs squamosa. . squamosa)] 2 F seeds them species 5 squamosa)

ABSTRACT Increased planting density, different types of thinning management, and the use of beneficial microorganisms have been adopted as strategic tools in the effort to increase crop yields in a sustainable manner. This investigation evaluated the growth and production of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba’ banana ( Musa spp., AAB) under different plant densities during two production cycles in the semiarid region of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Micropropagated plantlets were also inoculated with endophytic bacteria and cultivated as part of two mat management strategies. Planting density varied between 1,680 and 3,920 plant ha–1. During the experiment, water was less than optimal because of rationing due to drought in the region. Under field conditions, there was no difference between bacterially inoculated and non-inoculated plants. The dense planting system increased the crop cycle. The highest-density planting treatment (3,920 plant ha–1) resulted in the highest yield in the first cycle, but no net income was observed. However, the high-density planting treatments resulted in the highest yields and gross incomes in the second production cycle. Management with thinning of plants up to 10-months-old and thinning up to harvest associated with high planting density increased the length of the production cycles. Although the water restriction experienced in the first and second crop cycles, the vegetative and productive traits of ‘Prata Anã Gorutuba’ banana did not compromise the objectives of this study.

ABSTRACT The present study had as the main objective the documentation and characterization of the different phenological stages, as well as the definition of the thermal requirements, of the atemoya tree for two agronomic seasons. From shoot development to senescence and beginning of the rest period eight main stages were described (shoot development, leaf development, shoot/bud growth, inflorescence appearance, flowering, fruit development, fruit maturity and senescence and the beginning of the rest period). The number of days and the thermal requirements for completing each phenological stage were different between the two agronomic seasons of the atemoya. The first and second agronomic season presented a period of 217 and 206 days, with thermal requirements of 2469 and 2302 degree days, respectively.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da aplicação de ácido giberélico (GA3) associado com e sem polinização artificial, no pegamento e na qualidade de frutos das pinheiras ‘Red’ e ‘Lessard Thai’ e da atemoieira‘Gefner’. O experimento foi realizado em pomar localizado em Homestead, EUA. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com oito tratamentos, quatro repetições e quatro plantas por parcela. Os tratamentos utilizados neste experimento foram: 1) Polinização Artificial (PA); 2) PA + 10 mg L-1 GA3; 3) PA + 100 mg L-1 GA3; 4) PA + 1000 mg L-1 GA3; 5) Polinização natural (PN); 6) PN + 10 mg L-1 GA3; 7) PN + 100 mg L-1 GA3; e 8) PN + 1000 mg L-1 GA3. A PA combinada com a concentração de 1000 mg L-1 de GA3 promoveu o estabelecimento de frutos acima de 90% durante as 14 semanas de avaliação para todos os genótipos avaliados. Incrementos significativos para o comprimento e peso dos frutos também foram observados a variedade de pinha “Red” e a atemoia, em que apresentaram redução no número total de sementes.A PN em associação com GA3 (1000 mg L-1) foi eficaz na produção de frutos sem sementes de alta qualidade em atemóia ‘Gefner. Estes dados mostram que o GA3, combinado com a polinização manual, produziu frutos com semente de alta qualidade e, em associação com a polinização natural, promoveu frutos sem sementes em atemóia ‘Gefner’.

ABSTRACT: The present research aimed to evaluate the effect of applying gibberellic acid (GA3) with hand (HP) or natural pollination (NP) on fruit set and the fruit quality of ‘Red’ and ‘Lessard Thai’ sugar apple and ‘Gefner’ atemoya fruits.This study was performed in an experimental orchard located in Homestead, Florida, USA. The experimental design included randomized blocks, with eight treatments, four replicates and four plants per plot. Treatments included: (1) HP; (2) HP + 10 mg L-1 GA3; (3) HP + 100 mg L-1 GA3; (4) HP + 1,000 mg L-1 GA3; (5) NP; (6) NP + 10 mg L-1 GA3; (7) NP + 100 mg L-1 GA3 and (8) NP + 1,000 mg L-1 GA3. The HP plus 1,000 mg L-1 GA3 promoted fruit setting above 90% over the 14 weeks for all genotypes evaluated. Significant increments for length and total fruit weight were observed. ‘Red’ sugar apple and atemoya had a reduced number of seeds per fruit. The NP plus GA3 (1,000 mg L-1) was effective in producing high quality seedless ‘Gefner’ atemoya fruits. This investigationdemonstratedthat GA3 plus hand pollination produced high quality sugar apple and atemoya seeded fruits and in association with natural pollination promoted seedless ‘Gefner’atemoya fruits.

Abstract: The banana tree is associated with different species of endophytic bacteria that can stimulate plant growth. However, further studies are needed to better understand the relationships between this group of bacteria and the host plant. The objective of this study was to investigate the localization of the EB-40 (Bacillus sp.) through anatomical and ultrastructural analyses in micropropagated banana plantlets. The results demonstrated the effective colonization of the EB-40 isolate in the intercellular and intracellular spaces, as well as in the rhizosphere region. The wall of endophytic bacteria contains calcium and nitrogen. The EB-40 isolate was also observed to associate with the plasma membrane and cell wall. These results further our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the colonization of plant cells by endophytic bacteria in micropropagated banana plantlets.

RESUMO O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar as bactérias endofíticas de bananeira em nível de gênero e espécie e determinar as reações metabólicas associadas às transformações do nitrogênio. A identificação em níveis de gênero e espécie foi realizada por meio do sequenciamento parcial da região rDNA 16S. Foram avaliadas in vitro a capacidade de fixação assimbiótica de nitrogênio, a redução do nitrato e a produção de urease. O DNA dos isolados bacterianos também foi amplificado para a verificação da presença das regiões gênicas nifH, nirK e nirS. Os testes bioquímicos foram realizados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, os tratamentos foram constituídos de 39 isolados bacterianos com três repetições. A análise das sequências possibilitou identificar quatro gêneros, Bacillus, Rhizobium, Klebsiela e Enterobacter. O gênero Bacillus ocorreu com maior frequência, nove espécies foram identificadas. Avaliando-se conjuntamente os resultados dos testes bioquímicos observou-se que três isolados apresentaram habilidades múltiplas: crescimento em meio NFb, redução de nitrato e produção de urease. Os isolados pertencem ao gênero Bacillus e das espécies subtilis, thuringienses e amyloliquefaciens. Em torno de 12% dos isolados amplificaram a região correspondente ao gene nifH, 7,5% o gene nirK, 3,9 % o gene nirS. As bactérias endofíticas avaliadas no presente estudo indicaram atividade in vitro para as enzimas urease e nitrato redutase, não apresentando, entretanto, atividade relevante da nitrogenase.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize banana tree endophytic bacteria at genus and species level and to determine the metabolic reactions associated with the nitrogen transformations. The identification at genus and species levels was performed using the partial sequencing of the rDNA 16S region. The assimbyotic nitrogen fixation, the reduction of nitrate and the production of urease were in vitro evaluated. The DNA of the bacterial isolates was also amplified to verify the presence of the nifH, nirK and nirS regions. Biochemical tests were performed in a complete randomized design; the treatments consisted of 39 bacterial isolates with three replications. Sequence analysis enabled the identification of four genera: Bacillus, Rhizobium, Klebsiella and Enterobacter. The Bacillus genus occurred more frequently, nine species were identified. By evaluating the results of biochemical tests, it was observed that three isolates showed multiple abilities: growth in NFb medium, nitrate reduction and production of urease. The isolates belong to the genus Bacillus and of the species subtilis, thuringienses and amyloliquefaciens. Approximately 12.5% of the isolates amplified the region corresponding to the nifH gene, 7.5% amplified gene nirK and 3.9% amplified the nirS gene. Endophytic bacteria evaluated in the present study showed in vitro activity for urease, nitrate reductase enzymes, however, relevant nitrogenase activity was not observed.

ABSTRACT Forty isolates of endophytic bacteria isolated from banana tree roots were assessed as to their capacity to solubilize phosphate in a solid culture medium supplemented with different inorganic and one organic source of phosphorus. The amount of phosphorus (P) in each liquid medium was quantified, and an indirect assessment of acid phosphatase activity was performed. All assays had a fully randomized design, with three repetitions. Approximately 67.5% of the 40 isolates assessed in solid medium solubilized phosphorus from tricalcium phosphate and 7.5% of the isolates solubilized phosphorus from soy lecithin; no isolates exhibited P solubilization capacity in medium supplemented with iron phosphate. Acid phosphatase activity was detected in 65% of the isolates; Aneurinibacillus sp. and Lysinibacillus sp. isolates presented with the best solubilization indexes. All of the assessed isolates exhibited a capacity to reduce the potential of hydrogen in liquid medium supplemented with tricalcium phosphate. Isolate EB. 78 (Bacillus sp.) exhibited P solubilization capacity in solid media when Ca3(PO4)2 and soy lecithin were used as P sources; this isolate significantly reduced the pH of the liquid medium and exhibited acid phosphatase activity. The results of the present study highlight isolates that exhibit variations in their capacity to solubilize P. These isolates should be used in future tests to assess their field performance.

RESUMO A utilização de biofertilizantes ou inoculantes microbianos capazes de promover o crescimento e incrementar a produtividade das plantas têm sido aceita como alternativa a redução do uso de adubos químicos. Diante do exposto objetivou-se avaliar o o crescimento e qualidade de mudas micropropagadas de bananeira ‘Prata Anã’ após a bioinoculação de bacterias endofíticas promotoras de crescimento. O delineamento experimental adotado foi inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições, e os tratamentos foram compostos por 24 isolados de bactérias endofíticas. Os isolados EB-50 ( Bacillussp.), e EB-133 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) caracterizados como fixadores biológicos de nitrogênio, o EB-51 (Bacillus pumilus) solubilizador de fosfato inorgânico e os isolados EB-55 () e EBacillussubtilisB-40 (Bacillus sp.) sintetizadores do ácido indol-3-acético, propiciaram os maiores incrementos para o comprimento, diâmetro do pseudocaule, massas frescas e massas secas nas mudas micropropagadas de bananeira ‘Prata Anã’.

ABSTRACT The use of bio-fertilizers and microbial inoculants that promote plant growth and increased yield has been accepted as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of plant growth promoting bacteria inoculation on growth and quality of micropropagated banana seedlings ‘Prata Anã’. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications and the treatments consisted of 24 isolates of endophytic bacteria. The isolates EB-50 (Bacillus sp.) and EB-133 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) characterized as diazotrophic, the EB-51 (Bacillus pumilus) indicate for inorganic phosphate solubilization and EB-55(Bacillus subtilis) and EB-40 (Bacillus sp.) indole-3-acetic acid producers have provided significant increases for length, pseudostem diameter, fresh masses and dry masses in ‘Prata Anã’ micropropagated banana seedlings.

ABSTRACT The phenological growth stages of various species of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants can be uniformly coded using the Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, und Chemische Industrie (BBCH) scale. The aim of the present study was to determine the duration of different phenological stages and the temperature requirements of the sugar-apple, Annona squamosa, during two crop cycles in the semiarid region of Brazil. Phenological stages were divided into eight of ten possible principal stages: (0) bud development, (1) leaf development, (3) shoot/branch development, (5) inflorescence emergence, (6) flowering, (7) fruit development, (8) fruit maturity and (9) senescence and the beginning of dormancy. The phenological cycle of the sugar-apple from having closed leaf buds to the fruit ripening stage lasted 149 and 164 days with temperature requirements of 1684.5 and 1786.7 degree days (DD) for the first and second crop cycles, respectively. The results provided important information that will inform the correct timing for crop management practices.