Effects of plant regulators on the growth and flowering of Saint Augustine grass plants

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of three plant growth inhibitors on the development and emission of floral rachis of Saint Augustine grass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntzel] plants. The study was carried out in a 15 month old lawn with the experimental plots being distributed in accordance with a complete randomized block design with four replications. The treatments consisted of sole application of trinexapac-ethyl (113, 226, 452, 678, and 904 g ai ha(-1)), prohexadione-calcium (100 and 200 g ai ha(-1)), and bispyribac-sodium (40 and 60 g ai ha(-1)) plus a check treatment in which the plants were not submitted to any of the plant growth inhibitors. The effects of those products were evaluated in terms of visual signs of plant intoxication, plant height, emission and height of floral rachises, and chip total dry matter production. All the plant growth inhibitors resulted in visible injury to the plants but these intoxication signs practically disappeared 28 days after the application. Trinexapac-ethyl at the dose of 904 g ai ha(-1) reduced plant height by 59.7%, the emission of floral rachis by 96.4%, and the amount of chip dry matter production by 87.7%. Plant growth inhibitors may reduce the number of times of lawn plants cutting up to 119 days after their application with no harmful effects on the plants visual aspect.

Growth and nutritional disorders of eggplant cultivated in nutrients solutions with suppressed macronutrients

The objective was to evaluate the effects of omitting macronutrients in the nutrients solution on growth characteristics and nutritional status of eggplants. The treatments were complete nutrients solution and solutions with nutrient omission: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S). The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions with three replicates in a completely random design. Plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, relative chlorophyll index, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, dry matter, concentration levels of macronutrients in plant aerial part and root system, and nutritional disorders were evaluated. Omitting elements interfered in the concentration of elements in the various plant tissues and this had as consequences limited vegetative growth, reduced dry matter and led to the development of the typical deficiency symptoms of each element. Although potassium was the most demanded of all elements, nitrogen and calcium were the most growth limiting ones.

Productivity, stability and adaptability in open pollination progenies of Eucalyptus urophylla ST Blake

Prediction of genetic gains within breeding programs is not always compatible with those observed in practice. One reason for this inconsistency is the lack of knowledge of genotype-environment interaction (GxE). The aim of this study was to estimate genetic variation, evaluate the GxE, investigate the genetic correlation between pairs of environments and for the set, and to study the productivity, stability and adaptability at 2 years of age for diameter at breast height (DBH) in five progenies trials of Eucalyptus urophylla, used in a randomized complete block design, with the number of progenies ranging from 138 to 167, four to eight blocks and five to six plants per plot. Estimates of variance components and genetic parameters were obtained using the REML/BLUP method. For analysis of productivity, stability and adaptability, the HMRPGV method was used. The highest DBH growth was observed in Anhembi (10.52 cm) and Uberaba (10.20 cm). Estimates considered high were obtained for the coefficient of individual additive genetic variation (>13.3%) and average heritability among progenies (>0.40), indicating the possibility of obtaining genetic gains by selection among progenies. The coefficient of determination of the GxE was 1.7%, a fact that led to a high value of genotypic correlation between the performance of the progenies and environments (78.1%), indicating that the interaction is simple. The first six progenies showed a coincidence of 100% in the order of stability (HMGV), adaptability (RPGV) and productivity (HMRPGV), being 13% higher than the overall mean of five experiments (9.21 cm). When ordering the progenies, the selection of the 20 best in growth led to an increase in gain ranging of from 10.4 to 70%. Anhembi is the ideal place to have a breeding population which will be good in the other places as well.

Subdoses de glyphosate no desenvolvimento de espécies arbóreas nativas

Recovery of degraded areas aims to provide the degraded environment favorable conditions for restructuring in an environment that is unable to regenerate itself and planting of tree seedlings is one of the effective ways to extend this process. However, native tree species have slow growth rate which increases the seedlings production time as well as decreases their competitiveness with weeds in areas of forests deployment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of glyphosate reduced rates application on Psidium cattleyanum (yellow guava), Citharexylum myrianthum (pau-viola) and Cedrela odorata (cedro) seedlings development by analyzing its morphophysiological parameters. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse conditions and the experimental units consisted of one plant were conducted in 2.5L plastic pots and arranged in a completely randomized design with six replications. Treatments consisted of glyphosate application at 0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 g ha(-1) using Scout (R) commercial formulation. Treatments application on these species seedlings was realized 120 days after seeds germination. Visual evaluations of plants phytotoxicity were realized at 7, 14 and 21 days after treatments application and plants survival, stomatal conductance, height, stem diameter and dry mass of shoots were evaluated 90 days after treatments application. Different doses of glyphosate did not cause plants phytotoxicity. Already, 30 and 60 g ha(-1) of glyphosate provided greater increases in height, stem diameter and dry mass of shoots for Citharexylum myrianthum and Psidium cattleyanum, respectively.

Relative growth and morphological sexual maturity of the mangrove crab Aratus pisonii (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Sesarmidae) on the southern coast of the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Tree species community spatial structure in a terra firme Amazon forest, Brazil

All trees with diameter at breast height dbh >= 10.0 cm were stem-mapped in a "terra firme" tropical rainforest in the Brazilian Amazon, at the EMBRAPA Experimental Site, Manaus, Brazil. Specifically, the relationships of tree species with soil properties were determined by using canonical correspondence analyses based on nine soil variables and 68 tree species. From the canonical correspondence analyses, the species were grouped into two groups: one where species occur mainly in sandy sites, presenting low organic matter content; and another one where species occur mainly in dry and clayey sites. Hence, we used Ripley's K function to analyze the distribution of species in 32 plots ranging from 2,500 m(2) to 20,000 m(2) to determine whether each group presents some spatial aggregation as a soil variations result. Significant spatial aggregation for the two groups was found only at over 10,000 m(2) sampling units, particularly for those species found in clayey soils and drier environments, where the sampling units investigated seemed to meet the species requirements. Soil variables, mediated by topographic positions had influenced species spatial aggregation, mainly in an intermediate to large distances varied range (>= 20 m). Based on our findings, we conclude that environmental heterogeneity and 10,000 m(2) minimum sample unit sizes should be considered in forest dynamic studies in order to understand the spatial processes structuring the "terra firme" tropical rainforest in Brazilian Amazon.

Initial growth of bauhinia variegata trees under different colored shade nets and light conditions

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Association of ADIPOQ, OLR1 and PPARGC1A gene polymorphisms with growth and carcass traits in Nelore cattle

In beef cattle farming, growth and carcass traits are important for genetic breeding programs. Molecular markers can be used to assist selection and increase genetic gain. The ADIPOQ, OLR1 and PPARGC1A genes are involved in lipid synthesis and fat accumulation in adipose tissue. The objective of this study was to identify polymorphisms in these genes and to assess the association with growth and carcass traits in Nelore cattle. A total of 639 animals were genotyped by PCR-RFLP for rs208549452, rs109019599 and rs109163366 in ADIPOQ, OLR1 and PPARGC1A gene, respectively. We analyzed the association of SNPs identified with birth weight, weaning weight, female yearling weight, female hip height, male yearling weight, male hip height, loin eye area, rump fat thickness, and backfat thickness. The OLR1 marker was associated with rump fat thickness and weaning weight (P < 0.05) and the PPARGC1 marker was associated with female yearling weight.

Influence of removal of a non-native tree species Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth. on the regenerating plant communities in a tropical semideciduous forest under restoration in Brazil

Exotic species are used to trigger facilitation in restoration plantings, but this positive effect may not be permanent and these species may have negative effects later on. Since such species can provide a marketable product (firewood), their harvest may represent an advantageous strategy to achieve both ecological and economic benefits. In this study, we looked at the effect of removal of a non-native tree species (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia) on the understory of a semideciduous forest undergoing restoration. We assessed two 14-year-old plantation systems (modified taungya agroforestry system; and mixed plantation using commercial timber and firewood tree species) established at two sites with contrasting soil properties in São Paulo state, Brazil. The experimental design included randomized blocks with split plots. The natural regeneration of woody species (height ≥0.2 m) was compared between managed (all M. caesalpiniifolia trees removed) and unmanaged plots during the first year after the intervention. The removal of M. caesalpiniifolia increased species diversity but decreased stand basal area. Nevertheless, the basal area loss was recovered after 1 year. The management treatment affected tree species regeneration differently between species groups. The results of this study suggest that removal of M. caesalpiniifolia benefited the understory and possibly accelerated the succession process. Further monitoring studies are needed to evaluate the longer term effects on stand structure and composition. The lack of negative effects of tree removal on the natural regeneration indicates that such interventions can be recommended, especially considering the expectations of economic revenues from tree harvesting in restoration plantings.

Estado nutricional de mudas de baru (Dipteryx alata) em área de recuperação e remanescentes de cerrado

The Dipteryx alata is a tree specie with possibility of use in human and animal nutrition, and in the pharmaceutical industry. For reclamation of degraded areas, the revegetation has been an alternative, however, requires fertilizer addition. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the nutritional status and growth of Dipteryx alata seedlings, introduced in degraded soil under recovery process, with residues (organic and agroindustrial), compared to collected seedlings in preserved Cerrado, and evaluate the residues impact on soil chemical properties. In this work the degraded soil received the incorporation of residues, organic - RO (macrophytes) and agroindustrial - RA (ash derived from burning bagasse from sugarcane), with the following doses: 0, 16 and 32 t ha- 1 and 0, 15, 30 and 45 t ha-1 respectively. Within three months of incorporation of residues into the degraded soil, the D. alata seedlings were introduced in the experimental area, and 12 months later were evaluated for height, stem diameter, chlorophyll content and leaf contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. For purposes of comparison, the foliar concentration of those elements was determined in Dipteryx alata seedlings collected in preserved Cerrado area. Concomitant with the collect of leaves, at Cerrado and experimental area, soil was collected (0.0 - 0.20m deep) for evaluation of chemical parameters (P, OM, pH, K, Ca, Mg, H + Al, Al, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn). Comparing the seedlings collected in the Cerrado with the seedlings from experimental area it is observed that the leaf concentration of N, P, K and Mg was higher in seedlings from preserved Cerrado in relation to those introduced in the experimental area. Fe, Mn and Zn, have lower foliar concentration in plants collected in the Cerrado, in the case of Mn the worst results occur in the absence of macrophytes indicating the importance of organic residue. The foliar concentration of Ca, S and Cu was similar in...

Avaliação do estado nutricional de mudas de Gonçalo Alves (Astronium Fraxinifolium)

The planting of seedlings, the establishment and maintenance of the natural regeneration process, or the combination thereof, are methods used in the recovery of degraded or disturbed environments, however, often require the addition of soil conditioners. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of conditioners, introduced in degraded soil on growth and nutritional status of Astronium fraxinifolium seedlings. To conduct the experimentation were used as degraded soil conditioner, ash from sugarcane bagasse (CZ) and macrophytes (MC), at the doses of 0, 15, 30 and 45 t ha-1 and 0, 16 and 32 t ha-1 respectively, which combined produced 12 treatments, with three replications, and for field installation, was used the experimental randomized block design. Astronium fraxinifolium (Gonçalo Alves) seedlings, native tree species in cerrado, were introduced in the experimental area and, after 12 months, were evaluated for leaf concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn, respectively). Seedlings and adult plants of A. fraxinifolium were collected in preserved cerrado reserve were also analyzed for nutrients foliar concentration to perform a comparative analysis. The leaves collection in the preserved cerrado and experimental area, was accompanied by soil sampling (0.0 - 0,20 m deep), which was analyzed for phosphorus, OM (organic matter), pH, K, Ca, Mg, Al+H (potential acidity), Al (aluminum), Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The results show that the applied residues contributed to raise the foliar concentration of Cu and Fe. The foliar concentration of nutrients was higher in A. fraxinifolium seedlings from preserved cerrado, except for B, which was similar between areas, besides Cu and Fe with higher levels in the seedlings from experimental area. The combined addition of residues (MC and CZ), led to increase the plants height and diameter. This...

Dormancy breaking of the fig tree with hydrogen cyanamide and garlic extrate

The supply of cold hours needed to the dormancy breaking of shoots is the limiting factor for the cultivation of temperate climate fruit trees in warmer regions. In subtropical conditions, it is necessary to use chemical products to promote uniform sprouting. This research aimed at evaluating the effect of garlic extract and hydrogen cyanamide in sprouting, growth, production and production cycle of the fig tree. The experiment was conducted during the production cycles of 2011/12 and 2012/13. We used plants from the cultivar Roxo de Valinhos. Production pruning was made in the months of July/2011 and July/2012, and the following treatments were applied immediately after it: 2% hydrogen cyanamide and garlic extract in 4%, 8% and 12% doses, and a control treatment. Split plots were used as the experimental design, with five repetitions in blocks; each plot consisted of five treatments with hydrogen cyanamide, garlic extract and control; the subplots consisted of two production cycles. The use of hydrogen cyanamide promoted an anticipation of sprouting and the use of hydrogen cyanamide and garlic extract promoted a concentration of the productive period, when compared to the control. The estimated garlic extract dose that promoted the highest production per plant was 3%.

Growth and flowering of five mango cultivar under subtropics conditions of Brazil

The evaluation of the new cultivars adaptation and yield potential of Mangifera indica L. provides tools to assist and improve the mango production in different climates conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the phenological and reproductive development of five mango cultivars (Bourbon, Haden, Palmer, Parwin and Tommy Atkins), on climate conditions in dry land and four production cycles (from 08/2007 to 01/2011), at São Manuel, São Paulo state, Brazil. The variables were total plant height, trunk height, stem diameter and the first insertion diameter, fruits physical characteristics, yield and harvest period, flowering seasonality and morphological characterization of the inflorescences. It was found that the four-year-old plants of Haden cv. reach 4.0 m high and 0.20 m of trunk diameter. Bourbon cultivar had the highest flowering period, from April to October. Tommy Atkins cv. had productivities of 14779.07 kg∙ha−1 in the fourth cycle and the productivity of Bourbon, Haden and Palmer cultivars was alternated.