Determinação da matéria seca e teores de macronutrientes em folhas de frutíferas usando diferentes métodos de secagem

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar diferentes métodos de secagem de folhas para três diferentes frutíferas (maracujá, pêssego e abacate), com relação à determinação da matéria seca e os teores foliares de macronutrientes. Foram coletadas amostras de folhas recém expandida de três culturas, do pomar da fazenda de ensino e pesquisa da FCAV-UNESP, câmpus de Jaboticabal, no mês de janeiro de 2010, coletando-se para cada cultura 12 amostras com 25 folhas cada. Os tratamentos constituíram-se por dois métodos de secagem, estufa de circulação de ar forçada regulada a uma temperatura de 70°C e o forno microondas (FMO). Avaliou-se a massa da matéria seca e os teores foliares de macronutrientes. Os resultados sugerem que os dois métodos de secagem testados se assemelham na determinação de matéria seca e nos teores foliares de macronutrientes para as culturas análisadas, exceto os teores de cálcio na cultura do pêssego.

Manejo cultural do maracujazeiro-amarelo em ciclo anual visando à convivência com o vírus do endurecimento dos frutos: um estudo de caso

Este estudo de caso teve por objetivo analisar a qualidade dos frutos e a produtividade em t/ha de maracujá-amarelo, em dois ciclos anuais, plantados, respectivamente, nos dias 04-10-04 (1º plantio) e 20-08-05 (2º plantio). As mudas da seleção Afruvec foram formadas em tubetes no interior de estufa com tela antiafídeo. O pomar, nos dois ciclos produtivos, foi irrigado por gotejamento, adotando-se uma densidade de 1.600 plantas/ha. O 1º plantio foi erradicado no dia 13-07-05, em função de o pomar apresentar a totalidade das plantas com sintomas típicos do vírus do endurecimento dos frutos (PWV) nas folhas e frutos. No 1º e no 2º plantios, os sintomas tiveram início no dia 26-01-05 e no dia 04-01-06, respectivamente. Não houve necessidade de eliminação de plantas em ambos os plantios, já que o início dos sintomas de PWV ocorreu quando as plantas se encontravam em pleno florescimento. Pelos resultados, pode-se concluir que o manejo adotado regionalmente, com plantio em ciclo anual, permitiu uma ampliação do período de colheita, decorrente da antecipação de plantio no 2º ano; uma produtividade de 16,94 kg/planta e 18,39 kg/planta, no 1º e 2º anos, respectivamente; um aumento da rentabilidade na safra de 2006 em função: da maior produção, melhor cotação dos frutos para mesa e indústria, e aproveitamento dos investimentos realizados no 1º ano. As técnicas empregadas promoveram uma eficiente redução do potencial de inóculo regional, favorecendo uma sustentabilidade na produção.

Reação de maracujazeiro amarelo a Meloidogyne Incognita Raça 3

This study concerned the reaction of yellow passion fruit ‘Maguary’ and ‘Afruvec’ to the phytonematode Meloidogyne incognita race 3 in greenhouse conditions. An entirely randomized experimental design with 3 treatments (‘Maguary’, ‘Afruvec’, and tomato cv. ‘Rutgers’) and 4 repetitions was used, each plot consisting of 1 vase containing 1 plant. After 6 months, an evaluation was made of the index of galls and egg mass in the yellow passion fruit varieties and in the tomato cv. ‘Rutgers’. The classification of resistance to the phytonematode was made by criterion of the reproduction factor (RF). ‘Maguary’ presented a zero index of galls and egg mass, while ‘Afruvec’ showed a low index of galls and egg mass in relation to the tomato cv. Rutgers. According to the RF, ‘Maguary’ was characterized as immune to the phytonematode, while ‘Afruvec’ was resistant, and the tomato cv. ‘Rutgers’ was susceptible.

Sensitivity of yellow passion fruit plants to ultraviolet-B radiation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of UV-B radiation on the vegetative growth and on the gas exchange characteristics of passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis) grown in greenhouse. The average unweighted UV-B radiation near the apex of the plants was 8 W m-2 for the UV-B treatment (high UV-B), and 0.8 W m-2 for the control plants (low UV-B). Plants were irradiated with UV-B for 7 hours per day, centered on solar noon, during 16 days. High UV-B radiation resulted in lower shoot dry matter accumulation per plant. The content of UV-B absorbing compounds and anthocyanins was increased in the plants exposed to high UV-B radiation, when compared with the control. UV-B radiation did not affect stomatal conductance or transpiration rate, but reduced photosynthesis and instantaneous water‑use efficiency, and increased intercellular CO2 concentration. The accumulation of UV-B-absorbing compounds and anthocyanins did not effectively shield plants from supplementary UV-B radiation, since the growth and photosynthetic processes were significantly reduced.

Crescimento inicial de mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo em função de doses crescentes de superfosfato simples

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Coeficiente de cultivo e lâminas de irrigação do maracujazeiro amarelo nas condições semiáridas

The study aimed to determine the coefficient of the yellow passion fruit cultivation and irrigation set capable of increasing crop productivity and quality of production in the environmental conditions of the semi-arid region of Piauí. The experiment was conducted in the Pilot Project for Fruit Crops Irrigated area in Santa Rosa, PI. We used a randomized block design with six treatments and four replications. Treatments (irrigation) were defined according to percentages of reference evapotranspiration (ETo): T1 25%, T2: 50%, T3: 75%, T4: 100%; T5: T6 and 125%: 150%. For monitoring water in the soil profile was used tensiometers. To determine the crop coefficient (Kc) used the water balance in the soil treatment based on 100% replacement of water. Morphological and physiological characteristics of yellow passion fruit were evaluated. The maximum yield of 27.052 kg ha-1 yr-1 was obtained by applying a water depth of 763.80 mm. The values of average fruit weight ranged from 0.207 kg (T6) and 0.159 kg (T1). The average kc obtained for the vegetative stage was 0.57 to 0.94 and flowering stage to fruiting phase 1.04. The water depth of greater efficiency comprise in the range of 75% and 100% ETo.

Custo energético da produção do maracujá amarelo na região de Marília-SP

The study evaluated the energy balance of the yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) production system in the region of Marilia-SP. There were analyzed the "inputs" of energy originated from biological, fossil, and industrial sources, and the "output" of energy in the form of fruits produced per unit area, as well as five energy indicators. The phytotechnical indices considered were: planting in February (seedling in tubes), production cycle: 18 months, and yield: 20 t/ha. The input energy totaled 173,707.86 MJ/ha. The most representative items corresponded to industrial indirect energy (38%) and to biological (34%). Chemical fertilizers and pesticides accounted for 65% and 31% of indirect energy industry, respectively. The activity generated 391,800.00 MJ per cycle/ha, and the culture productivity, 0.12 MJ/kg. The efficiency of the culture was 2.26. The net cultural energy totaled 218,092.15 MJ/ha. The energy balance was positive (126,050.23 MJ/ha). Energy efficiency was favorable, with a value of 3.64. The direct power consumption of fossil origin is significant in the system evaluated, but it still allows the production of the yellow passion fruit in an environmentally sustainable way.

Eficiência da calda bordaleza e sulfocálcica em diferentes concentrações e idade de planta no controle de doenças foliares de maracujá-doce em cultivo orgânico

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The importance of plant diversity in maintaining the pollinator bee, Eulaema nigrita (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in sweet passion fruit fields

The euglossine bee Eulaema nigrita plays an important role for the pollination of native and economically important plants, such as the sweet passion-fruit Passiflora alata. E. nigrita uniquely collects the nectar from the flowers of P alata, nevertheless, it needs to visit other plants to collect pollen, nectar and other resources for its survival. There are two methods to identify the species of plants used by bees in their diet: by direct observation of the bees in the flowers, and through identification of pollen grains present in brood cells, feces, or in the bees' body. In order to identify the other plants that E. nigrita visits, we analyzed samples of pollen grains removed from the bee's body in the course of the flowering period of P alata. Among our results, the flora visited by E. nigrita comprised 40 species from 32 genera and 19 families, some of them used as a pollen source or just nectar. In spite of being a polyletic species, E. nigrita exhibited preference for some plant species with poricidal anthers. P alata which has high sugar concentration nectar was the main source of nectar for this bee in the studied area. Nonetheless, the pollinic analysis indicated that others nectariferous plant species are necessary to keep the populations of E. nigrita. Studies such as this one are important since they indicate supplementary pollen-nectar sources which must be used for the conservation of the populations of E. nigrita in crops neighbouring areas. In the absence of pollinators, growers are forced to pay for hand pollination, which increases production costs; keeping pollinators in cultivated areas is still more feasible to ensure sweet passion fruit production. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (4): 1553-1565. Epub 2012 December 01.

IN VITRO ORGANOGENESIS OF RANGPUR LIME

Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) in vitro organogenesis was studied based on explant type and cytokinin culture media supplementation. Four explants types collected from epicotyl or hypocotyl regions of in vitro germinated seedlings were evaluated. The epicotyl-derived explants consisted of epicotyl segments and the hypocotyl-derived explants consisted of the entire hypocotyl segment, the hypocotyl segment attached to a cotyledon fragment, and the hypocotyl segment divided longitudinally. The explants were cultured on EME culture medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mg L-1). The evaluation was performed after 6 weeks. Best results considering both the explant responsiveness and number of shoots developed per explants were obtained when epicotyl segments-derived explants were evaluated. Considering the explant responsiveness of hypocotyl segments-derived explants no difference was detected between the entire hypocotyl segment and the hypocotyl segment attached to a cotyledon fragment. Moreover, the percentage of responsive explants decreased when hypocotyl segments divided longitudinally were tested. No difference was detected for the number of shoots developed per explant considering the three types of hypocotyl-derived explants. Culture media supplementation with BAP was not essential for Rangpur lime in vitro organogenesis. However, adventitious shoot development was stimulated in concentrations between 0.5 - 1.0 mg L-1.

Possible Host Adaptation as an Evolution Factor of Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus Deduced by Coat Protein Gene Analysis

Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus (CABMV) causes major diseases in cowpea and passion flower plants in Brazil and also in other countries. CABMV has also been isolated from leguminous species including, Cassia hoffmannseggii, Canavalia rosea, Crotalaria juncea and Arachis hypogaea in Brazil. The virus seems to be adapted to two distinct families, the Passifloraceae and Fabaceae. Aiming to identify CABMV and elucidate a possible host adaptation of this virus species, isolates from cowpea, passion flower and C.hoffmannseggii collected in the states of Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte were analysed by sequencing the complete coat protein genes. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the obtained sequences and those available in public databases. Major Brazilian isolates from passion flower, independently of the geographical distances among them, were grouped in three different clusters. The possible host adaptation was also observed in fabaceous-infecting CABMV Brazilian isolates. These host adaptations possibly occurred independently within Brazil, so all these clusters belong to a bigger Brazilian cluster. Nevertheless, African passion flower or cowpea-infecting isolates formed totally different clusters. These results showed that host adaptation could be one factor for CABMV evolution, although geographical isolation is a stronger factor.

Influence of milk type and addition of passion fruit peel powder on fermentation kinetics, texture profile and bacterial viability in probiotic yoghurts

The effect of the addition of passion fruit peel powder (PFPP) on the fermentation kinetics and texture parameters, post-acidification and bacteria counts of probiotic yoghurts made with two milk types were evaluated during 28 days of storage at 4 degrees C. Milks were fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (CY340), and one strain of probiotic bacteria: Lactobacillus acidophilus (L10 and NCFM), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (8104 and HN019). The addition of PFPP reduced significantly fermentation time of skim milk co-fermented by the strains L10, NCFM and HN019. At the end of 28-day shelf-life, counts of B. lactis Bl04 were about 1 Log CFU mL(-1) higher in whole yoghurt fermented with PFPP regarding its control but, in general, the addition of PFPP had less influence on counts than the milk type itself. The titratable acidity in yoghurts with PFPP was significantly higher than in their respective controls, and in skim yoghurts higher than in the whole ones. The PFPP increased firmness, consistency (except for the NCFM strain of L acidophilus) and cohesiveness of all skim yoghurts. The results point out the suitability of using passion fruit by-product in the formulation of both skim and whole probiotic yoghurts. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A light in the shadow: the use of Lucifer Yellow technique to demonstrate nectar reabsorption

Abstract Background Nectar reabsorption is a widely known phenomenon, related to the strategy of resource-recovery and also to maintain the nectar homeostasis at the nectary. The method currently performed to demonstrate nectar being reabsorbed involves the use of radioactive tracers applied to the nectary. Although this method works perfectly, it is complex and requires specific supplies and equipment. Therefore, here we propose an efficient method to obtain a visual demonstration of nectar reabsorption, adapting the use of Lucifer Yellow CH (LYCH), a fluorescent membrane-impermeable dye that can enter the vacuole by endocytosis. Results We applied a LYCH solution to the floral nectary (FN) of Cucurbita pepo L., which is a species known for its ability of nectar reabsorption, and to the extrafloral nectary (EFN) of Passiflora edulis Sims which does not reabsorb the secreted nectar. In all tests performed, we observed that LYCH stained the nectary tissues differentially according to the reabsorption ability of the nectary. The treated FN of C. pepo presented a concentrated fluorescence at the epidermis that decreased at the deeper nectary parenchyma, until reaching the vascular bundles, indicating nectar reabsorption in the flowers of the species. In contrast, treated EFN of P. edulis presented fluorescence only at the cuticle surface, indicating that nectar is not reabsorbed by that particular tissue. Conclusion LYCH is an efficient marker to demonstrate nectar reabsorption.