Efeitos da idade dos frutos, método e condição de secagem sobre a qualidade de sementes de quiabeiro. II. Cultivar Amarelinho

Fruits of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.) cv. Amarelinho were harvested at three times: 35, 45 and 55 days after anthesis. Half part of the fruits of each harvest time was shelled and the seeds were dried in natural environment of laboratory or in dry chamber. The other half was dried unshelled in the same two conditions. Water contents of seeds were evaluated at harvest time and before the germination test, that was carried out when the seeds were in hygroscopic equilibrium with the two environments. The physiological quality of seeds was affected by the interaction effects of fruit age, drying method and drying condition. The highest values for percentage of germination were obtained from seeds taken from fruits 55 days old (up to 92%) and the hard seeds percentage was not affected by drying method and drying condition. The seeds from fruits of 35 and 45 days old had the germination percentage increased when dried inside the fruit in natural environment.

Efeitos da adubação com manipueira sobre o rendimento e qualidade dos frutos de tomate

The objective of this research was to evaluate the residue from cassava, known as manipueira, as an alternative for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) fertilization. This experiment was carried out in UNESP with the cultivar Rio Grande. The experimental design was a completely randomized blocks in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement with five blocks. Treatments constituted the following: 1) witness; 2) 54 m3/ha of manipueira; 3) 108 m3/ha of manipueira; 4) half recommended mineral fertilization; 5) half recommended mineral fertilization + 54 m3/ha of manipueira; 6) half recommended mineral fertilization + 108 m3/ha of manipueira; 7) recommended mineral fertilization; 8) recommended mineral fertilization + 54 m3/ha of manipueira and 9) recommended mineral fertilization + 108 m3/ha of manipueira. Tomato yield, number of fruits per plant, fruit diameter and lenght, total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA) and the ratio TSS/TTA were evaluated. The results obtained indicated that manipueira contributed significantly to yield and quality of pos-harvested tomato fruits.

Consumo dos frutos de Davilla rugosa (Dilleniaceae) por aves numa área de cerrado em São Carlos, Estado de São Paulo

Fruits have been considered an important feeding resource used not only by frugivorous birds, but also by omnivore and some insectivore species. In the present paper we are reporting the behavior of birds consuming fruits of Davilla rugosa (Dilleniaceae). Handling behavior and visits frequency were analyzed in order to infer about the potential ornithochoric seed dispersal. Focal observations were carried out from October to December 1999 in a cerrado fragment located in São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil (21°58′S, 47°52′W). In 60 h of field work we recorded 241 visits of 13 passerine bird species consuming the fruits. The mean number of visits per hour and the standard deviation were 4.01 ± 4.88. All of the species were considered potential seed dispersers, since no pulp mashers or seed predators were observed. No temporal difference in visit frequency was found when all of the species were analyzed together or when they were individually considered. Generalist species were responsible for 68.5% of the visits, followed by frugivorous (22.82%) and insectivorous (8.71%). The main potential seed dispersers were Elaenia spp. (Tyrannidae), Tangara cayana (Emberizidae), Empidonomus varius (Tyrannidae), Turdus leucomelas (Muscicapidae) and Vireo chivi (Vireonidae). The high visit frequency observed suggests that D. rugosa fruits may be an important feeding resource for birds in the cerrado ecosystem, in the manner that this plant can be considered in management plans which intent to maintain or rescue bird communities.

Produção de frutos de pimentão em diferentes concentrações salinas

An experiment with an Elisa hybrid sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L) crop using fertirrigation system was carried out in greenhouse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quantitative effects of an increasing soil saline concentration on the production. The saline concentration was changed by the variation of the KC1 and Ca 2NO 3 concentration in order to obtain high soil electrical conductivity (EC) values. Standard fertigation system (1.5 dS m -1) values were used as control parameters. Besides that, the possibility of saline stress attenuation by applying organic material into the soil was studied. It was observed that the EC levels used in the crop were inversely correlated to the fructification index and the fruit mean weight. Under the most severe treatment (6.0 dS m -1) the fruit mean weight was reduced up to 58% and the mean produced fiuit number per plant was also reduced up to 55%, when compared to the obtained results under controlled conditions. These results demonstrated that the EC variation in the soil solution had strong interference on th production parameters selected for the studies.

Impacto humano afeta negativamente a dispersão de sementes de frutos ornitocóricos: Uma perspectiva global

Ornithochorous fruits make up an important part of the diet of birds and many studies have related the different morphological types of fruits with the choice by birds. We analyzed the intrinsic characteristics of plants and how human impact can affect this choice. Through analyses of covariance we related the degree of human pressure in each study site (high or low) and the morphological characteristics of 57 ornithochorous species with visiting rates and consumption of fruits by birds. We did not find any intrinsic plant characteristic (life form, size and type of diaspore) that explains the rates of consumption and visit by birds. On the other hand, the degree of human impact affected directly the mutualism between plants and birds. Plant species located in areas that suffer high human pressure had number of visits and consumption rates 3,3 and 3,5 lower than plants located in pristine areas, respectively. The negative consequences of the reduction of consumption of fruits in areas with high human pressures may directly affects the interactions between birds and plants and the regeneration of the ornithochorous species.

Alterações reprodutivas em ratos machos expostos perinatalmente aos frutos da Solanum lycocarpum

This work employed pregnant rats treated with Solanum lycocarpum unripe fruits (10% in diet) from gestation day (GD) 06 to post-natal day (PND) 07, for the evaluation of the sperm number, daily sperm production and epididymal sperm transit time of the male offspring at PND 60 and PND 90. No differences were observed in the daily sperm production (DSP) and sperm number in the testis of the exposed males at PND 60 and PND 90. Also, no alterations were observed in sperm transit time in the caput epididymis of the exposed males at PND 60 and PND 90. However, a reduced sperm transit time was observed in the corpus/cauda epididymis of the experimental males at PND 90. The last data may explain the reduced sperm number observed in the corpus/cauda epididymis of the experimental male rats at PND 90. These data show that the male rats exposed to S. lycocarpum fruits during gestation did not present alterations in testis sperm production and number, however the sperm transit time through epididymis was impaired, resulting in a decreased number of spermatozoa in epididymis cauda. We conclude that S. lycocarpum may cause imbalance on hypothalamus-pituitary gland axis.

Estudo fitoquímico preliminar e bioensaio toxicológico frente a larvas de Artemia salina Leach. de extrato obtido de frutos de Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hill (Solanaceae)

The phytochemical profile of ethanolic extract of Solanum lycocarpum fruits was analyzed and preliminary toxicity tests were performed against brine shrimp larvae. The extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical analysis to identify the main classes of secondary metabolites and tested against the larvae of A. salina to obtain the median lethal concentrations (LC50%). The phytochemical tests showed the presence of phenols, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and free steroids. The extract was fractionated with various solvents for toxicity testing against the larvae and the hydroalcoholic fraction showed considerable cytotoxicity (CL50% = 285.546 g/mL).

Morfologia de frutos e sementes e morfofunção de plântulas de Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.)

The objective of this work was to characterize external and internal morphologic aspects of the fruit, seed, and plant of Moringa oleifera Lam. The fruits were collected in the forest garden of Falculty of Agrarian and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal-SP, Brazil. It was observed that the Moringa fruits are brown simple darkness, dry of the type capsule, tends on average: 28.50 cm of length, 2.21 cm of width, 9.91 g of mass and with 12 seeds by fruit, it considerated fruits of medium and small size. The seeds are brown dark and they present three lines clear chestnut tree. The embryo is oleaginous, has a pair of cotyledons and the germination is hypogeal-cryptocotyledonary. The seed has1.037 cm of length and 1.0 cm of thickness of average and have a considerate medium and light weight (197g/1000 seeds). The germination began eight days after the planting and in the 25th day they left the primary leaves.

Unidade amostral para determinação de massa média de frutos em lichieira em sistema orgânico e convencional

The experimental unit of measurement is a suitable technique to estimate the average character in evaluation, and experimentation should be well understood and executed, because the precision characterizes the quality of the inferences of the results. This research aimed to analyze the possibility to obtaining the quantity of fruit required for sampling of lychee plants, to determining the average mass of the fruits, with less sampling error. One hundred fruits were collected, in a hectare, in two cropping systems, conventional and organic, being one fruit per plant. From the data of fruit mass was used the Excel® to calculate the average fruit mass and number of fruits samples needed to represent the area of the producer. The results show that to achieve a sampling error of 10% for determining the average mass of fruit, 400 fruits should be collected for organic system and 370 for the conventional, while for 20% sampling error, it is necessary to collect 250 fruits per hectare in organic system and 220 in the conventional.

Efeitos de diferentes tipos de poda nos teores de nutrients emflores e frutos de goiabeira

A better understanding of the differences between the levels of nutrients, depending on the type of pruning used in the cultivation of the guava tree, may allow a more adequate understanding of the physiological processes of this fruit. The analysis of flowers is a tool that can be used to assist in assessing the nutritional status of crops, especially perennials. We evaluated the effects of different types of pruning on nutrient concentrations in flowers and fruit, at different developmental stages and in different parts of the fruit. The study was carried out in Vista Alegre do Alto, in orchards of guava variety Paluma. Flowers and fruit were collected in orchards, one under heavy pruning and the other with continuous pruning. The fruit were collected in two stages (two millimeters length and mature) and divided into basal part and apex, with the top toward the stalk. Flowers were collected in the same orchards as the fruits, sampling the basal part and apex of the flowers. F tests were performed and, when necessary, the Scott-Knott test at α= 5%. Overall, there were nutritional differences among flowers and fruits in relation to the type of pruning employed; drastic pruning provided higher levels of nutrients compared with continuous pruning. In relation to the portion of the samples, especially for fruit, there were differences between the apex and base, as well as between different stages of fruit collection.

Nitidulidae (Coleoptera) Associados A Frutos de Café (Coffea Arabica L.)

This study reports sap beetles from fruits of a coffee crop in Cravinhos, SP, Brazil. Fruits were collected directly from plants and, in laboratory, from the fruits at the cherry state we obtained 20 adults of three species: Carpophilus nepos Murray, 1864, Colopterus niger Murray, 1864 and Nitops sordidus Erichson, 1847. This is the first report of association between these insects and coffee fruits.

Manejo da Irrigação Para Otimização da Produtividade E Qualidade de Frutos de Tomateiro em Sistema de Plantio Direto

There is much information on the adequate soil water matrix potential for returning irrigation in conventional soil tillage systems; however there is not enough information on the best soil water matrix potential for no-tillage production systems. This work aimed to study the effect of five irrigation levels on yield, soluble solids, and fruit acidity of the Hypeel tomato, cultivated for industrial processing and cropped on no-tillage system in Yellow Latosol. The experiment was carried out on a randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted in different soil water matrix potentials for returning irrigation (m at 13cm of soil depth): -15, -30, -45, -60 and -75 kPa. The results obtained showed that the soil water matrix potential of -28.5 kPa resulted in maximum yields for tomato crop; whereas the value of -50.8 kPa resulted in the maximum fruit soluble solids concentration.

Produção e Qualidade Física dos Frutos do Abacaxi sob Diferentes Lâminas e Frequências de Irrigação

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of pineapple cultivar Smooth Cayenne as the physical production and the quality of the fruit when subjected to different frequencies of water dpeth and soil water in Triângulo Mineiro - Uberaba-MG. The experimental area soil is Oxisol, clay loam sandy and soft undulating local relief. A randomized block design in a factorial 4 x 2 with four levels of soil water depth (50%, 75%, 100% and 125%) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two irrigation frequencies (1 day and 3 days = F1 = F2) and four replications was utilized. The crop productivity, number of seedlings, mean weight, diameter, and hardness of the fruit, plus water use efficiency were evaluated. Productivity was not significantly affected by the water depth and by the frequency of water applied; however the fruit shell resistance, the efficiency of water use, and ratoon seedlings were significantly influenced by irrigation, the water depth of 50% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETC) provided greater efficiency of water use for the production of pineapple fruit.

Lâminas de irrigação e cobertura do solo na produção e qualidade de frutos da gravioleira

The crop of soursop has been known for presenting great potential for the domestic market and good prospects for export. In this context, an experiment was conducted in the municipality of Remigio in the state of Paraiba, in order to evaluate the effects of irrigation depths applied weekly on the productive behavior and postharvest quality of fruits of soursop 'Morada' in the soil with and without mulching with crop residues. Treatments were arranged in randomized blocks with three replications and three plants per plot, using a factorial arrangement 5×2, referring to the soil with and without mulching with crop residues, and five irrigation depths of 0, 4.3, 8.6, 12.9 and 17.2 mm plant1. Irrigation was performed manually, once a week from September 2008 to March 2009. The presence of mulch on the soil and increasing depths of irrigation elevated the values of mean mass, production per plant and yield of soursop 'Morada', and decreased the levels of soluble solids.

Estágios de colheita e repouso pós-colheita dos frutos na qualidade de sementes de mamoneira

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)