Cigarras (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Tibicinidae) associadas ao cafeeiro: distribuição, hospedeiros e chave para as espécies

É apresentada a distribuição de 10 espécies de cigarras associadas ao cafeeiro, Coffea arabica, nos Estados de Minas Gerais, São Paulo e Paraná, Brasil. A informação sobre a distribuição geográfica destas espécies no Continente Americano, afora o Brasil, foi baseada na literatura. Para o Brasil, as localidades de ocorrência de cigarras foram baseadas na literatura, nos levantamentos realizados e em exemplares de coleções nacionais. Outros sete hospedeiros, além do cafeeiro, foram também registrados: esponjeira (Acacia farnesiana), sibipiruna (Caesalpinia peltophoroides), Cassia spp., amoreira (Morus alba), abacateiro (Persea americana), angico (Piptadenia sp.) e cacaueiro (Theobroma cacao). São apresentadas chaves de identificação, baseadas nas características gerais e na genitália masculina.

Oviposition of Quesada gigas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in coffee plants

Branches of coffee-plant were collected in Sao Sebastiao do Paraiso County, Minas Gerais State, at the Experimental Station of the Agricultural Research Company (Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuaria de Minas Gerais - EPAMIG), with the aim of studying various aspects of oviposition by Quesada gigas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae). The number of branches with Q. gigas egg nests was analyzed, as well as the number of nests per branch, the eggs per nest and the diameter of the egg nest location on the branch. The preference for oviposition either on alive or dry branches and the size of the egg were assessed. Egg-laying occurred only on dry branches. The mean of the branch diameter on which the egg nests occurred was 2.5 +/- 0.53 mm. The number of eggs per nest averaged 13.2 +/- 4.9, and the number of egg nests per branch was 2.2 +/- 1.74. The eggs were 1.9 +/- 0.08 mm long by 0.5 +/- 0.04 mm wide. The largest diameters of the branches containing egg nests were found on the upper third of the trees, as well as the greatest amount of branches with egg nests, of egg nests per branch and of eggs per nest. The correlation relationship between all of the experiment variables was positive.

Descrição das ninfas de Quesada gigas (Olivier) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) associadas ao cafeeiro

Neste trabalho, as ninfas de Quesada gigas (Olivier) são descritas e ilustradas. Uma chave para o reconhecimento dos cinco ínstares ninfais é também apresentada. Foram analisados exemplares coletados em cafezais dos municípios de São Sebastião do Paraíso, Monte Santo de Minas e Patrimônio (Minas Gerais), Franca e Casa Branca (São Paulo). As amostras encontram-se preservadas em álcool a 80% e depositadas na Coleção Entomológica do Departamento de Fitossanidade da FCAV-UNESP, Câmpus de Jaboticabal. Os caracteres analisados foram: antenas, tecas alares, perna anterior, ápice da tíbia meso e metatorácicas e ápice abdominal do macho/fêmea. Foi adotada uma fórmula para indicar a configuração que é apresentada pelas estruturas presentes no fêmur anterior. Ninfas de Q. gigas de primeiro ínstar apresentam fórmula femoral 2-1-0, de segundo ínstar 2-1-3, de terceiro ínstar 2-1-5, de quarto ínstar 2-1-6 e as de quinto ínstar 2-2-8. O primeiro número refere-se à somatória dos dentes posteriores e dentes acessórios, o segundo ao número de dentes intermediários e o terceiro aos dentes do pente femoral. As estruturas apresentadas pelo fêmur protorácico constituem caracteres morfológicos adequados para a identificação dos ínstares ninfais de cigarras.

Development of a scar marker for Pierce's Disease strains of Xylella fastidiosa

O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um oligonucleotídeo iniciador para reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) específico para as estirpes de Xylella fastidiosa que causam o mal de Pierce (PD) em videira (Vitis vinifera). Amplificações de DNA de 23 diferentes hospedeiros, usando o conjunto de oligonucleotídeos REP1-R (5'-IIIICGICGIATCCIGGC-3') e REP 2 (5'-ICGICTTATCI GGCCTAC-3') utilizando o programa: 94 ºC/2 min; 35 X (94 ºC/1 min, 45 ºC/1 min; 72 ºC/1 min and 30 s) 72 ºC/5 min, produziu um fragmento de 630 pb que diferenciou as estirpes de videiras dos demais. Entretanto, padrões de bandeamento REP não são considerados confiáveis para detecção devido ao par de oligonucleotídeos REP 1 e REP 2 corresponderem a seqüências repetitivas encontradas por todo o genoma bacteriano. Desse modo, o produto amplificado de 630 pb foi eluído do gel de agarose, purificado e seqüenciado. A informação da seqüência nucleotídica foi usada para identificar e sintetizar um oligonucleotídeo específico para o isolado de X. fastidiosa causadora do mal de Pierce denominado Xf-1 (5'-CGGGGGTGTAGGAGGGGTTGT-3'), que foi utilizado juntamente com o oligonucleotídeo REP-2 nas condições 94 ºC/2 min; 35 X (94 ºC/1 min, 62 ºC/1 min; 72 ºC/1 min and 30 s) 72 ºC/10 min. Os DNAs das estirpes de X. fastidiosa de outros hospedeiros [amêndoa (Prumus amygdalus), citros (Citrus spp.), café (Coffea arabica), olmo (Ulmus americana), amora (Morus rubra), carvalho (Quercus rubra), vinca (Catharantus roseus), ameixa (Prunus salicina) e ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)] e de bactérias Gram negativas e positivas foram submetidos a amplificação com o conjunto de oligonucleotídeos Xf-1/REP 2. Um fragmento, de aproximadamente 350 pb, foi amplificado apenas com o DNA de X. fastidiosa isolada de videira.

Crescimento e produtividade de nogueira-macadâmia em consórcio com cafeeiro arábica irrigado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a produtividade de cultivares de nogueira-macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia), em sistema de cultivo consorciado com café (Coffea arabica) irrigado. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com dez repetições. Seis cultivares de macadâmia foram utilizadas, das quais três nacionais (IAC 4-12B, IAC 4-20 e IAC 9-20) e três havaianas (HAES 344, HAES 660 e HAES 816). Nos quatro primeiros anos de produção, foram feitas avaliações de: altura de planta, diâmetro de copa e de tronco, número de nozes por planta, peso médio de noz, peso médio de amêndoa, produção de nozes por planta, taxa de recuperação e produção de amêndoas por planta. As cultivares nacionais apresentaram menor crescimento em altura, com destaque para IAC 4-20, porém, com copas de maior diâmetro. As cultivares nacionais são mais produtivas, com destaque para a IAC 4-12B.

Beneficiamento de sementes de café e efeitos na qualidade física

A pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de verificar a possibilidade de uso da máquina de pré-limpeza, da máquina de limpeza e classificação (ventiladores e peneiras) e da mesa densimétrica para o beneficiamento de sementes de café e, paralelamente, avaliar seus efeitos na qualidade física do lote. Para essa finalidade, um lote de sementes de café arábica 'Catuaí Amarelo IAC 62' foi submetido ao beneficiamento nesses três equipamentos, em diversas combinações. As frações retidas pelas peneiras 22/64 e 20/64 avos de polegada, na máquina de ventiladores e peneiras, constituíram a maior parte do lote e foram processadas, separadamente, em mesa densimétrica. Foram realizadas avaliações de pureza física, massa de mil sementes, peso hectolítrico, teor de água, tipos de sementes predominantes e integridade do endocarpo. Observou-se que: a) A máquina de pré-limpeza, a máquina de ventiladores e peneiras e a mesa densimétrica foram eficientes para a homogeneização do lote de sementes de café, proporcionando obtenção de melhor qualidade física na seqüência operacional em que foram utilizadas de forma conjugada; b) O uso de peneiras com crivos oblongos e crivos circulares, intercaladas na máquina de ventiladores e peneiras, possibilitou a separação de sementes mocas, de sementes com resíduos de exocarpo aderidos ao endocarpo e de sementes desprovidas de endocarpo, melhorando a aparência do lote; c) A mesa densimétrica foi o equipamento que proporcionou melhor separação de sementes com endocarpo danificado, bem como alterações favoráveis à qualidade física do lote; d) As sementes pequenas, retidas nas menores peneiras da máquina de ventiladores e peneiras, e as sementes de menor massa específica, classificadas ou não por tamanho e coletadas na descarga inferior da mesa densimétrica, foram as de baixa qualidade física.

Diagnóstico da exigência do cafeeiro em nitrogênio pela utilização do medidor portátil de clorofila

O nitrogênio é o elemento mais utilizado pela cultura do café e seu manejo é extremamente importante devido às perdas especialmente em épocas chuvosas. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, na região de Sud Mennucci (SP), e teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio sobre o teor de clorofila e de N nas folhas do cafeeiro, e calcular correlações com a produtividade. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos obedeceram o esquema fatorial 5 x 3, constituído pela combinação de cinco doses de N (0, 50, 150, 250 e 350 kg ha-1) aplicados na forma de uréia em três épocas de aplicação (aplicação única em dezembro; duas aplicações: parceladas em novembro e janeiro e três aplicações: parceladas em novembro, dezembro e janeiro). Avaliaram-se os teores de clorofila e nitrogênio das folhas durante a frutificação e a colheita. A concentração de clorofila correlacionou-se positivamente com o teor de nitrogênio nas folhas e a produção de grãos se ajustou a uma função quadrática com as doses de N aplicadas, na qual a dose 210 kg ha-1 promoveu a máxima produção; a estimativa do teor de clorofila foi promissora para detecção de possíveis deficiências de nitrogênio.

Caracterização física e sensorial do café produzido nas condições topoclimáticas de Jesuitas, Paraná

Climatic variations influence formation and maturation of coffee grains by altering their intrinsic characteristics, which call allow for several types of coffee qualities, including the potential for production of special coffee. This study was carried out to verify the effect of environmental conditions and crop cultivation on chemical composition and their consequences in cup quality of coffees from region of Jesuitas, Parana State. During the same crop season this study was accomplished (2002-2003), cup quality was evaluated among the producers in several coffee-growing municipalities in Parana State. It was observed that 86% of samples were classified simply as "soft" (smooth flavor) or "hard" (bolder flavor), and 14% were classified as rioysh/rio (strong unpleasant taste). The results concluded that the practices adopted by producers, who have collaborated with the study, reflected positively oil the final cup quality, when compared to the overall quality results in the State. The climatic conditions and practices of crop management and harvest ill the Jesuitas region made for bolder coffee with low acidity, comparable to high quality coffees produced in Brazil and abroad.

Sistemas intercalares com abacaxizeiro como alternativa de renda durante a formação de cafezais irrigados

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o sistema de plantio de abacaxizeiro intercalado com cafeeiro que proporciona o maior retorno econômico, sem comprometer o desenvolvimento vegetativo e a produtividade de cafezal irrigado. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e dez plantas úteis por parcela. Os sistemas irrigados de cultivo consistiram em: duas e três fileiras simples de abacaxizeiro, nas entrelinhas do cafeeiro, ou quatro linhas em fileiras duplas. O desenvolvimento vegetativo do cafeeiro foi avaliado aos 6, 12 e 18 meses após o plantio, e a produtividade aos 28 meses. O cultivo de duas fileiras simples favoreceu o desenvolvimento do cafeeiro, e os demais sistemas não tiveram efeito sobre esse parâmetro. A produtividade do cafeeiro foi maior nos sistemas de cultivo com duas e três fileiras de abacaxi. Os três sistemas de cultivo apresentaram retornos econômicos positivos. O sistema intercalar com três fileiras simples proporciona o melhor retorno, sem comprometer o desenvolvimento vegetativo e a produtividade do cafeeiro.

Boron translocation in coffee trees

Boron deficiency in coffee trees ( Coffea arabica) is widespread, however, responses to B fertilizer have been erratic, depending on the year, method, and time of application. A better understanding of B uptake, distribution, and remobilization within the plant is important in developing a rational fertilization program. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to study B distribution and remobilization in coffee trees. Boron was provided either in the nutrient solution or sprayed on the leaves of trees grown under adequate or transient B deficiency. There was clear evidence for B translocation via symplast ( remobilization) to coffee grains, even in well-nourished plants. When 10 B was present in the nutrient solution during most part of fruit filling, from 33 to 40% of the B found in coffee fruits was absorbed during this period, depending on the timing and duration of the B deficiency treatment. In the field, when B was sprayed once on the leaves, around 4% of the fruit B was derived from the foliar fertilizer. Boron remobilization within coffee trees is limited in well nourished plants, but it can be significant during periods of temporary B deficiency in plants otherwise well nourished with B. The implications of these findings for B fertilization practice, are discussed.

An evaluation of the genetic diversity of Xylella fastidiosa isolated from diseased citrus and coffee in São Paulo, Brazil

Strains of Xylella fastidiosa, isolated from sweet orange trees (Citrus sinensis) and coffee trees (Coffea arabica) with symptoms of citrus variegated chlorosis and Requeima do Cafe, respectively, were indistinguish able based on repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR assays. These strains were also indistinguishable with a previously described PCR assay that distinguished the citrus strains from all other strains of Xylella fastidiosa. Because we were not able to document any genomic diversity in our collection of Xylella fastidiosa strains isolated from diseased citrus, the observed gradient of increasing disease severity from southern to northern regions of São Paulo State is unlikely due to the presence of significantly different strains of the pathogen in the different regions. When comparisons were made to reference strains of Xylella fastidiosa isolated from other hosts using these methods, four groups were consistently identified consistent with the hosts and regions from which the strains originated: citrus and coffee, grapevine and almond, mulberry, and elm, plum, and oak. Independent results from random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR assays were also consistent with these results; however, two of the primers tested in RAPD-PCR were able to distinguish the coffee and citrus strains. Sequence comparisons of a PCR product amplified from all strains of Xylella fastidiosa confirmed the presence of a CfoI polymorphism that can be used to distinguish the citrus strains from all others. The ability to distinguish Xylella fastidiosa strains from citrus and coffee with a PCR-based assay will be useful in epidemiological and etiological studies of this pathogen.

Coffee leaf scorch caused by a strain of Xylella fastidiosa from citrus

Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) and coffee leaf scorch (CLS) are two economically important diseases in Brazil caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. Strains of the bacterium isolated from the two plant hosts are very closely related, and the two diseases share sharpshooter insect vectors. In order to determine if citrus strains of X. fastidiosa could infect coffee and induce CLS disease, plant inoculations were performed. Plants of coffee, Coffea arabica 'Mundo Novo', grafted on Coffea canephora var, robusta 'Apuatao 2258' were mechanically inoculated with triply cloned strains of X. fastidiosa isolated from diseased coffee and citrus. Three months postinoculation, 5 of the 10 plants inoculated with CLS-X. fastidiosa and 1 of the 10 plants inoculated with CVC-X. fastidiosa gave positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eight months postinoculation, another six plants inoculated with CVC-X. fastidiosa gave positive PCR results. The two X. fastidiosa strains were isolated from the inoculated plants and showed the same characteristics as the original clones by microscopy, ELISA, and PCR. None of the plants inoculated with sterile periwinkle wilt (PW) medium as controls gave positive reactions in diagnostic tests, and none developed disease symptoms. Six months postinoculation, seven plants inoculated with CLS-X. fastidiosn and eight inoculated with CVC-X. fastidiosa began to develop characteristic CLS symptoms, including apical and marginal leaf scorch, defoliation, and reductions of internode length, leaf size, and plant height, terminal clusters of small chlorotic and deformed leaves, and lateral shoot dieback. We have demonstrated that X, fastidiosa from citrus plants is pathogenic for coffee plants. This has important consequences for the management of CLS disease and has implications for the origin of citrus variegated chlorosis disease.

Antimicrobial activity of coffee-based solutions and their effects on Streptococcus mutans adherence

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different coffee solutions and their effects on the adherence of Streptococcus mutans to glass surface. Coffee solutions were prepared with three commercial products (Pilao, Mellita and Café do Ponto) by two different methods (simple and boiled) (n=15). A control group was also included in the study. For antimicrobial activity testing, tubes containing coffee solution and culture medium were inoculated with a suspension of S. mutans ATCC 35688 and incubated for 1 min 1h, 2h and 4h. Serial dilutions and plating on BHI agar were performed. S, mutans adherence to glass in presence of different coffee solutions was also tested. The number of adhered bacteria (CFU/mL) was determined by plating method. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and Turkey's test. The tested coffee solutions did not reduce the number of colony forming units of S. mutans in relation to the control at all evaluation periods. All the solutions reduced significantly the adherence of S. mutans to the glass surface in relation to control. The tested coffee solutions did not present any antimicrobial effect on Streptococcus mutans, however, all the coffee solutions reduced significantly the adherence of S mutans to the glass surface.

Relação entre a adubação nitrogenada e as condições hídricas do solo para um cafezal de Piracicaba, SP

Although the management of the coffee crop is well established in Brazil, there is still room for its improvement in relation natural resources available in each region, aiming the increase in productivity. Here are presented results regarding the fate of the fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to a coffee plantation related to the prevailing soil water conditions. Soil water balances are discussed, which allowed evaluation of the root distribution, determinations of the crop coefficient and of the soil water conditions during the development of the crop. Approximately, 60% of the root system was distributed in the 0-0.3 m soil layer and the average crop coefficient was 1.1 for 3 to 5 year old plants. Using an N label, the 15N, it was possible to study the distribution of N in the plant and in the soil and establishes general N balances, which also include losses like leaching and volatilization. After two years of ammonium sulfate application, at rates of 280 (1st year) and 350 (2nd year) kg.ha-1 of N, in four equal application performed during the period of positive growth rate, the recuperation of fertilizer N were 19.1% by the aerial plant part and 9.4% by the roots, 12.6% remained in the soil and 11.2% in the litter; 0.9% was lost by volatilization and 2.3% by leaching; 26.3% was exported through harvesting and 18.2% remained in non evaluated compartments. From the applied 630 kg.ha -1 of N during the two years, 180 kg.ha -1 of N were found in the plant (shoot and root), which corresponds to 28.6%; 150 kg.ha -1 of N remained available for the next years(soil and litter), and only 20 kg.ha -1 of N were effectively lost (volatilization and leaching).

Florescimento da lavoura cafeeira sob diferentes manejos de irrigaçâo

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation managements on flower induction and bloom of coffee trees. The study was carried out at the experimental area of the Engineering Department at Universidade Federal de Lavras, on Acaia Cerrado MG-1474 coffee cultivar, planted 3.0 meters between rows and 0.6 meters between plants and drip irrigated since planting in 1997. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 4 replicates and 5 irrigation treatment: A= non irrigated; B= irrigated throughout the whole year every time the water available was at most 25% of total available water (TAW); C= irrigated during the whole year every time the water available was at most 75% of TAW; D = treatment C during January, February, March, July, October, November and December and treatment B during April, May, June, August and September; E= treatment C during April, May, June, August and September. Each plot was composed of 10 plants and used 2 plants for the evaluation of secondary branches, number of flowers per flowering, number of fruit and fruit set between September and May during the growing seasons of 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. The different irrigation managements did not significantly influence the total number of flowers, number of branches and percentage of flowers that resulted in fruits. Comparing data from two harvests verified the biennial effect in the total number of flowers, percentage of fruit set and branch gain.