ABSTRACT: Multicollinearity is a very common problem in studies that employ path analysis in agronomic crops, which generates unrealistic results and erroneous interpretations. This study was aimed at assessing the path analysis in data obtained from guava tree full-sib based on modelling multiple regressions applying latent variables to neutralize the effects of multicollinearity. Seven explanatory variables were measured – fruit mass (FM), fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD), mesocarp thickness (MT), peel thickness (PT), pulp mass (PM), total number of fruits (NTF) –, plus the main dependent variable, total yield per plant (YIELD). In accordance with the multicollinearity scenario, eleven values were tested with the addition of the constant K to the diagonal of the correlation matrix X’X. Path analysis was applied in two models: all the explanatory variables with direct effect on the dependent one and another model with multiple regression with more than one chain and the presence of latent variables. The path analysis in the multivariate methodology of structural equation modelling (SEM), which uses latent variable prediction, provided better results than the traditional and ridge path analyses.

RESUMO O milho-pipoca apresenta alta suscetibilidade a helmintosporiose (Bipolaris maydis) (h-Bm). O melhoramento genético desta cultura deve priorizar a resistência a h-Bm e desenvolver cultivares que ofereçam maior sustentabilidade ao cultivo, principalmente em solos com escassez de fósforo (P). O P-mineral normalmente é suprido à cultura do milho pela aplicação de adubos fosfatados, produzidos a partir de fontes de minério rico em P, cujas reservas naturais se esgotarão a médio prazo. Com o objetivo de selecionar genótipos de milho-pipoca resistentes a h-Bm e com maior capacidade de aproveitamento de fósforo (P), este trabalho avaliou a incidência e a severidade a h-Bm de 25 linhagens (S7) de milho-pipoca, cultivadas em ambientes de alto e baixo fósforo. Houve interação significativa entre genótipo (linhagem) e adubação de P para resistência a h-Bm, expressa pelos valores de severidade da doença na folha da primeira espiga. Observou-se variabilidade genética quanto à resistência a doença. A análise de incidência identifica as Linhagens L-65 L-69, L-70 e L-76 como genótipos potencialmente resistentes, apresentando baixos valores médios de h-Bm. A avaliação de severidade, no entanto, apresenta como potencialmente resistentes, as linhagens L-69, L-76, P-3 e P-7 tanto em ambiente com adubação de P quanto em ambiente sem a adubação. A união das informações obtidas mostra que as linhagens L-69, L-76 foram as que tiveram melhor desempenho quanto a resistência em ambos os ambientes. Conclui-se que a resistência genética a h-Bm pode, de algum modo, correlacionar-se com a resposta a adubação de P no plantio, em solos de baixa fertilidade natural.

ABSTRACT Popcorn culture is highly susceptible to helminthosporiosis (Bipolaris maydis) (h-Bm). The genetic breeding of this culture should prioritize resistance to h-Bm and develop cultivars that offer greater crop sustainability, especially in soils with phosphorus (P) scarcity. P-mineral is usually supplied to maize culture by the application of phosphate fertilizers, which are produced from mineral sources rich in P, the natural reserves of which will be depleted in the medium term. With the aim of selecting popcorn genotypes resistant to h-Bm and with higher P utilization capacity, the present study evaluated h-Bm incidence and severity for 25 popcorn lines (S7) cultivated under high and low phosphorus conditions. There was a significant interaction between genotype (lines) and P fertilization for h-Bm resistance, expressed as disease severity values in the first ear leaf. There was genetic variability for disease resistance. The incidence analysis identifies the lines L-65 L-69, L-70 and L-76 as potentially resistant genotypes, presenting low mean values of h-Bm. The severity analysis, however, presents L-69, L-76, P-3 and P-7 genotypes as potentially resistant in environments with fertilization and without fertilization. The obtained data show that the lines L-69 and L-76 had the best resistance performance in both environments. The genetic resistance to h-Bm can somehow correlate with the response to P fertilization at planting in soils with low natural fertility.

RESUMO Um dos principais problemas na comercialização de frutos de coco em pós-colheita tem sido a podridão negra, causada pelo fungo Ceratocystis paradoxa. Esta doença tem sido negligenciada nas principais áreas produtoras ou associadas à outras doenças da cultura. Até o presente momento, não existem métodos padronizados para a avaliação da intensidade de tal problema. Neste sentido, o objetivo do nosso estudo foi preparar e validar uma escala diagramática para avaliar a severidade da doença em frutos de coco. Com isso, foi possível testar a aplicabilidade da escala comparando diferentes isolados de C. paradoxa em frutos inoculados. Para esta quantificação, o seccionamento longitudinal do fruto foi necessário, permitindo a visualização interna dos sintomas. Dessa forma, a escala proposta apresentou boa repetibilidade e alta reprodutibilidade, com erros absolutos em torno de 8% e coeficientes de determinação com médias de 91% com o auxílio da escala e de 59% sem a escala. Além disso, as análises sintomáticas mostraram que uma necrose exterior não corresponde ao dano interno. Por isso, indica-se neste trabalho, a estimativa da severidade desta doença através da escala apresentada.

ABSTRACT One of the major bottlenecks in the postharvest commercialization of coconut fruits is the black rot disease, caused by the fungus Ceratocystis paradoxa. This disease has been neglected in the main production areas or associated with other coconut diseases. To date, there are no standardized methods for assessing the intensity of such a problem. In this sense, the aim of our study was to prepare and validate a diagrammatic scale to evaluate the disease severity in coconut fruits. We also tested the scale applicability comparing distinct C. paradoxa isolates on inoculated fruits. For such quantification, the fruit longitudinal sectioning was necessary, allowing the visualization of internal symptoms. The proposed scale showed good repeatability and high reproducibility, with absolute errors around 8%, while the coefficient of determination presented an average of 91% with the aid of the scale and of 59% without the scale. In addition, symptom analyses showed that the outer necrosis does not match the internal damage. Therefore, we suggest in this study that the severity estimate of this disease be obtained by using the presented scale.

Abstract In support of breeding of papaya (Carica papaya), the disease incidence and severity of powdery mildew (Ovulariopsis caricicola) were evaluated in papaya genotypes. Two experiments in complete randomized blocks were carried out, one in the field and the other in a greenhouse. In field experiments, the lowest mean disease incidence was observed on the genotypes ‘Costa Rica’ and ‘Baixinho Super’, and the lowest mean disease severity on ‘Caliman M5’, ‘GTF’, ‘SH 11-08’, and ‘JS 11’. In the greenhouse experiment, the genotypes ‘Caliman M5’, ‘Golden’, ‘Kapoho Solo’, ‘Waimanalo’, ‘Mamão Bené’, ‘SH 12-07’, ‘JS 12’, and ‘GTF’ had the lowest mean incidence in at least one evaluation. On the other hand, for severity, the genotypes ‘Diva’, ‘Sunrise Solo 72/12’, ‘Kapoho Solo PA’, ‘Waimanalo’, ‘Maradol’, ‘Maradol GL’, ‘SH 15-04’, ‘FMV, ‘JS 12-4’, ‘SH 12-07’ and ‘Sekati FLM’ had the lowest means. These results indicate these genotypes for a possible use in breeding for reduction of powdery mildew intensity.

RESUMO Visando encontrar formas de controle alternativas aos fungicidas, delineou-se este trabalho com objetivo de avaliar em diferentes genótipos de mamoeiro o efeito de produtos com potencial para o controle da pinta-preta (Asperisporium caricae). Instalou-se em telado, um experimento em DBC com arranjo em fatorial 5x6, com três repetições, onde foram pulverizados quatro produtos (Bion®, Calda Bordalesa, Ecolife® e Bordasul®) em seis genótipos de mamoeiro (‘Sunrise Solo PT’, ‘STZ 03’, ‘Golden’, ‘Tailândia’, ‘Maradol’ e ‘UENF-CALIMAN 01’), na testemunha pulverizou-se apenas água. Quantificou-se a severidade (SPP) e incidência (IPP) de Pinta-Preta nas folhas, bem como a área abaixo da curva de progresso de doença (AACPD). Houve variabilidade entre os genótipos avaliados, destacando como os mais resistentes ‘STZ 03’; ‘Maradol’ e ‘UENF/CALIMAN 01’. O genótipo ‘Tailândia’ (suscetível) apresentou maior resposta aos produtos. Plantas pulverizadas com Bion®, Calda Bordalesa e Bordasul® apresentaram médias reduzidas de Pinta-Preta.

ABSTRACT To find control forms alternative to fungicides, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of products with potential to control black spot (Asperisporium caricae) in different papaya genotypes. Installed in a greenhouse, the experiment was conducted in randomized blocks (RB) with factorial arrangement 5x6, three replicates, and spraying of four products (Bion®, Bordeaux mixture, Ecolife®, and Bordasul®) in six papaya genotypes (‘Sunrise Solo PT’, ‘STZ 03’, ‘Golden’, ‘Tailândia’, ‘Maradol’ and ‘UENF-CALIMAN 01’), while control was sprayed only with water. The severity (BSS) and the incidence (BSI) of black spot on the leaves were quantified, as well as the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). There was variability among the evaluated genotypes, highlighting ‘STZ 03’, ‘Maradol’ and ‘UENF/CALIMAN 01’ as the most resistant genotypes. ‘Tailândia’ (susceptible) showed greater response to the products. Plants sprayed with Bion®, Bordeaux mixture and Bordasul® had reduced black spot means.