ABSTRACT Evaluating the effects of N and K supply on grapevines ( Vitis vinifera L.) and the techniques for nutritional diagnosis is of great importance for fertigation management of this crop. This study evaluated the effects of N and K fertigation on the soluble concentrations of NO 3 – and K + in the petiole sap and on the leaf chlorophyll index in drip irrigated ‘Syrah’ grapevine (from 17 June 2013 to 25 Nov 2014). The treatments consisted of five levels of N (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha –1 ) and K 2 O (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha –1 ), combined in an incomplete 5 2 factorial scheme in 13 combinations and arranged in randomized blocks with four replications. We determined NO 3 – and K + concentrations in petiole sap, leaf chlorophyll index, grapevine cluster mass and number per plant, mean grapevine cluster mass, and phenolic composition. High NO 3 – concentrations contributed positively to grapevine yield; however, increased K+ concentrations caused a negative response of sap. For 120 kg N ha –1 rate, NO 3 – in the sap and chlorophyll index showed higher values at the flowering stage, while high values for K + were observed during the grape-ripening stage.

Abstract Vegetative desiccation tolerance (VDT) is a biological process that allows resurrection plants to complete desiccation-rehydration cycles and survive without permanent damage. Physiological and biochemical changes related to the VDT were evaluated in the lycophyte Selaginella convoluta from the Caatinga biome, a seasonally dry tropical forest of northeastern Brazil. As representative of the oldest division of extant vascular plants, the investigation of VDT mechanisms in this species serves as an opportunity to provide information for research communities interested in functional traits related to water-limited conditions. The experiments were performed with plants in their natural habitat, in dry and rainy seasons, and in pots under shade house conditions. Relative water content, chlorophyll a fluorescence, gas exchange, activity of antioxidant enzymes, concentration of chlorophylls, proteins, total amino acids, proline, and soluble carbohydrates in leaf tissues were evaluated throughout the process of complete dehydration and subsequent re-watering of intact plants. The overall results reveal the capacity of S. convoluta to tolerate extreme dehydration and rapidly recover upon rehydration. This species minimizes potential damages during the desiccation-rehydration cycle due to the presence of inductive mechanisms (photochemical preventing, sucrose accumulation) and constitutive mechanisms (antioxidant activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase), which share similarities with the VDT of both angiosperms and bryophytes.

Resumo Tolerancia à dessecação vegetativa (TDV) é um processo biológico que permite que plantas revivescentes sobrevivam a ciclos completos de dessecação-reidratação sem danos permanentes. Alterações fisiológicas e bioquímicas relacionadas à TDV foram avaliadas na licófita Selaginella convoluta do bioma Caatinga, em uma floresta tropical sazonalmente seca do nordeste do Brasil. Como representante da mais antiga divisão de plantas vasculares não extintas, a investigação de mecanismos de TDV nesta espécie serve como uma oportunidade para fornecer informações para comunidades de pesquisa interessadas em características funcionais relacionadas às condições limitantes de água. Os experimentos foram conduzidos com plantas em seu habitat natural, nas estações seca e chuvosa, e em potes sob casa de vegetação sombreada. Conteúdo relativo de água, fluorescência da clorofila a, trocas gasosas, atividade de enzimas antioxidantes, concentração de clorofilas, proteínas, aminoácidos totais, prolina e carboidratos solúveis de tecidos foliares foram avaliados ao longo dos processos de completa dessecação e subsequente reidratação de plantas intactas. Os resultados revelam a capacidade de S. convoluta para tolerar desidratação extrema e rapidamente recuperar após a reidratação. Esta espécie minimiza danos potenciais durante o ciclo de dessecação-reidratação devido à presença de mecanismos protetivos dos tipos indutivos (inibição fotoquímica, acúmulo de sacarose) e constitutivos (atividade antioxidante de catalase e ascorbato peroxidase), mostrando similaridades com a TDV de angiospermas e briófitas.

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to study the influence of training system and rootstock on the yield, vigor and physiology of the ‘Chenin Blanc’ grapevine at São Francisco Valley, northeastern Brazil. An experiment was carried out on eight harvests, from 2013 to 2017, in Petrolina, in the state of Pernambuco. Grapevines were grown under two training systems, lyre and espalier, and five rootstocks: ‘IAC 572’, ‘IAC 313’, ‘IAC 766’, ‘Paulsen 1103’ and ‘SO4’, using a split-plot randomized block design, with training systems assigned to the main plot and the rootstock assigned to the subplot. Lyre favored an increase in the number of bunches, branches and leaf mass in the harvest of the first semester of the year, while in the second semester there were increases of 40 % in the number of bunches and 10 % in leaf mass. Lyre promoted more balanced vines, showing a better ratio between production and pruning weight (Ravaz index). The rootstocks ‘IAC 766’, ‘IAC 313’ and ‘IAC 572’ increased yield and bunch mass under both training systems, while ‘SO4’ reduced yield and vigor. The stomatal conductance and instantaneous efficiency of water use were not influenced by either the training system or the rootstock. Under tropical conditions in the São Francisco Valley, ‘Chenin Blanc’ grapevine may be grown under the lyre training system, preferably on the ‘IAC 766’ rootstock, to obtain high yields and balanced grapevines.

RESUMO O Vale do São Francisco destaca-se entre as principais regiões vitivinícolas brasileiras, sendo o cultivar ‘Syrah’ muito importante na elaboração de vinhos tintos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência do sistema de condução e porta-enxerto sobre o rendimento e outras variáveis agronômicas do cultivar ‘Syrah’ durante oito safras consecutivas em ambiente tropical semi árido no Vale do São Francisco. Um experimento foi realizado em Petrolina, PE, avaliando-se videiras ‘Syrah’, conduzidas nos sistemas de lira e espaldeira e enxertadas sobre os porta-enxertos IAC 572, IAC 766, IAC 313, SO4, 1103 Paulsen e Harmony. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições e parcelas subdivididas. Observou-se interação significativa entre sistema de condução e porta-enxerto para produção, número de cachos e massa foliar. O sistema de condução em lira aumentou a produção, número de cachos e índice de Ravaz, favorecendo o desenvolvimento de videiras mais equilibradas. O porta enxerto IAC 572 promoveu maior vigor reduzindo significativamente a produção, número de cachos, fertilidade de gemas e índice de Ravaz. Os demais porta enxertos foram similares entre si na maioria das variáveis. Fotossíntese líquida, condutância estomática e eficiência instantânea do uso da água não foram influenciadas pelo sistema de condução e porta enxerto. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam a influência do sistema de condução associado ao porta-enxerto sobre variáveis agronômicas da videira ‘Syrah’, recomendando-se o seu cultivo em lira enxertada sobre 1103 Paulsen ou IAC 313 nas condições tropicais semiáridas do Vale do São Francisco.

ABSTRACT The Vale do São Francisco stands out among the main Brazilian wine regions, and ‘Syrah’ is a grape cultivar very important to produce red wines. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of training systems and rootstocks on the yield and other agronomic variables of ‘Syrah’ grapevines during eight consecutive harvests in the tropical semiarid environment in the Vale do São Francisco. An experiment was carried out in Petrolina, state of Pernambuco, with ‘Syrah’ trained to lyre and espalier systems and grafted on IAC 572, IAC 766, IAC 313, SO4, 1103 Paulsen and Harmony rootstocks. A randomized block design with four replicates and split plots was used. There was a significant interaction between the training system and rootstock for yield, number of clusters and foliar mass. The lyre system increased yield, cluster number and Ravaz index, favoring the development of more balanced grapevines. The IAC 572 rootstock promoted greater vigor by reducing yield, cluster number, bud fertility and Ravaz index. The other rootstocks were similar to each other in most variables. Net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and instantaneous efficiency of water use were not influenced by the training system and the rootstock. The results obtained evidenced the influence of the training system associated to the rootstock on agronomic variable and yield of ‘Syrah’, recommending lyre training and grafting on 1103 Paulsen or IAC 313 in the semi-arid tropical conditions of the Vale do São Francisco.

En este trabajo se investigaron las respuestas de árboles de Spondias tuberosa (umbu), que crecen en dos zonas ecológicas del nordeste de Brasil: húmeda tropical y árida tropical. Se evaluaron las respuestas de las plantas con base en fotosíntesis, estado hídrico, parámetros de fluorescencia, isotopos de carbono y actividad del sistema antioxidante. Los altos valores de las tasas de fotosíntesis fueron correlacionados con bajos valores del DPV; los altos niveles de concentración interna de CO2 y la ausencia de cambios típicos en los parámetros de fluorescencia, sugieren la aparición de una limitación no estomática de la fotosíntesis. Los resultados indicaron que las plantas de umbu pueden ajustar su actividad antioxidante durante la estación seca como una estrategia de defensa ante los efectos perjudiciales de un estrés por sequía. Esta afirmación está soportada por las modificaciones observadas en la concentración de pigmentos, incrementos en la acumulación de peróxido de hidrógeno y malondialdehido, altos niveles de electrolitos libres, incremento de la actividad antioxidante y decrecimientos en la discriminación isotópica del carbono en la localidad árida. El análisis de varianza multivariado mostró efectos significativos para la interacción “mes de colecta y localidad”, lo cual fue fuertemente predecible en la localidad. El análisis integral de los datos demostró que los árboles de umbu que crecieron en un ambiente húmedo tropical, son más susceptibles a la sequía, comparados con su contraparte de ambientes áridos tropicales.

In this study, we investigated the different responses of Spondias tuberosa (umbu) trees, which grow in two different ecological life zones in northeast Brazil: tropical wet and tropical arid ecosystems. We evaluated the responses of plants grown under humid and dry conditions by measuring the photosynthesis, water status, fluorescence parameters, carbon isotopes and antioxidant system activity. The higher net photosynthesis values were recorded contemporaneously with the lower VPD values. The highest internal-to-ambient CO2 concentration and the absence of typical changes in the fluorescence parameters suggested an onset of a nonstomatal limitation in the photosynthesis. Our results showed that umbu plants can adjust their antioxidant activity during the dry season as a defensive strategy against the deleterious effects of water stress. This evidence is supported by the observed modifications in the pigment concentrations, increased accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, high levels of electrolyte leakage, increased antioxidant activity, and decreased carbon isotope discrimination in the umbu trees during the dry season. Supported by multivariate analysis of variance, significantly effect of interaction between categorical “months of collect and location” predicts a strong “dry season effect” on our dataset. Taken together, our data show that umbu trees grown in a wet tropical environment are more susceptible to drought, as compared with their tropical arid counterparts.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do deficit hídrico sobre os parâmetros e os valores genéticos da mandioca. Os experimentos foram realizados em delineamento de blocos ao acaso com três repetições, em campo com (CD) ou sem deficit hídrico (SD). A produtividade de raízes (PR), da parte aérea (PA) e de amido (PAM), assim como o número de raízes (NR) e a massa de matéria seca das raízes (MS) foram avaliados em 47 acessos de mandioca. Observaram-se diferenças significativas entre os acessos; conforme a herdabilidade, estas diferenças foram em sua maioria de natureza genética. As estimativas de herdabilidade dos efeitos genotípicos () variaram de 0,25±0,12 (NR) a 0,60±0,18 (MS) e de 0,51±0,17 (NR) a 0,80±0,21 (PR e PAM) para CD e SD, respectivamente, em decorrência da maior influência ambiental sobre o CD. A acurácia seletiva foi menor no CD, com variação de 0,71 (NR) a 0,89 (PR, MS e PAM). No entanto, os ganhos genéticos foram elevados, de 24,43% (MS) a 113,41% (PAM) no CD, e de 8,5% (MS) a 75,70% (PAM) no SD. Estes parâmetros genéticos podem ser úteis para definir estratégias de seleção, métodos de melhoramento e delineamentos experimentais mais apropriados, para a obtenção de ganhos genéticos em mandioca quanto à tolerância à seca.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of drought on genetic parameters and breeding values of cassava. The experiments were carried out in a completely randomized block design with three replicates, under field conditions with (WD) or without (FI) water deficit. Yield of storage roots (RoY), shoot (ShY), and starch (StY), as well as the number of roots (NR), and root dry matter content (DMC) were evaluated in 47 cassava accessions. Significant differences were observed among accessions; according to heritability, these differences had mostly a genetic nature. Heritability estimates for genotypic effects () ranged from 0.25±0.12 (NR) to 0.60±0.18 (DMC), and from 0.51±0.17 (NR) to 0.80±0.21 (RoY and StY) for WD and FI, respectively, as a consequence of greater environmental influence on WD. Selective accuracy was lower in WD, and ranged from 0.71 (NR) to 0.89 (RoY, DMC, and StY). However, genetic gains were quite high and ranged from 24.43% (DMC) to 113.41% (StY), in WD, and from 8.5% (DMC) to 75.70% (StY) in FI. These genetic parameters may be useful for defining which selection strategies, breeding methods, and experimental designs are more suitable to obtain cassava genetic gains for tolerance to drought.

The objective of the present trial was to evaluate the productive and morphogenetic characteristics of buffel grass subjected to different air temperatures and CO2 concentrations. Three cultivars of buffel grass (Biloela, Aridus and West Australian) were compared. Cultivars were grown in growth chambers at three temperatures (day/night): 26/20, 29/23, and 32/26 °C, combined with two concentrations of CO2: 370 and 550 µmol mol-1. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with three replications. There were interactions between buffel grass cultivars and air temperatures on leaf elongation rate (LER), leaf appearance rate (LAR), leaf lifespan (LL) and senescence rate (SR), whereas cultivars vs. carbon dioxide concentration affected forage mass (FM), root mass (RM), shoot/root ratio, LL and SR. Leaf elongation rate and SR were higher as the air temperature was raised. Increasing air temperature also promoted an increase in LAR, except for West Australian. High CO2 concentration provided greater SR of plants, except for Biloela. Cultivar West Australian had higher FM in relation to Biloela and Aridus when the CO2 concentration was increased to 550 µmol mol-1. West Australian was the only cultivar that responded with more forage mass when it was exposed to higher carbon dioxide concentrations, whereas Aridus had depression in forage mass. The increase in air temperatures affects morphogenetic responses of buffel grass, accelerating its vegetative development without increasing forage mass. Elevated carbon dioxide concentration changes productive responses of buffel grass.