Avaliação do vigor de sementes de rúcula pelo teste de lixiviação de potássio

The objective of this study was to evaluate methodologies for the potassium leaching test and to verify its sensitivity for identifying different levels of vigor of arugula seed lots. Five seed lots each of Rucula Cultivada and Rucula Gigante were used. Standard germination, first count of germination, seedling emergence and variations of the potassium leaching test (50 or 100 seeds imbibed in 50 mL or 75 mL in water; at 25 °C and 30 °C; for 0.5 h, 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, 2.5 h, 3, 4 and 5 hours) were done. It was observed that the period seeds need to be soaked can be reduced to 2 hours and the water volume can be reduced to 50 mL. The utilization of 50 seeds showed a smaller variation coefficient and the best temperature was 30 °C. It can be concluded that the potassium leaching test for arugula seeds can be run using 50 seeds in 50 mL of water for 2 hours at 30 °C.

Custo de produção e indicadores de rentabilidade da cultura do milho safrinha

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production cost and profitability of the second season corn crop in the Medio Paranapanema region, São Paulo State Brazil, under two technological levels (middle and high technology), crop 2008/2009, and compare the results with the 2006/2007 agricultural year. Effective and total operational cost as well as five profitability indicators were used. It was concluded that the high technology production cost for corn crop (direct seedling, sowing during the recommended period, use of simple hybrid seed, application of side-dressing fertilization, and treatment of seeds with different insecticides) was superior to the middle technology production cost (direct seedling, sowing after the recommended time, use of double hybrid seed, and no side-dressing fertilization). However, the average cost was inferior (US$ 8.5), due to a higher yield (4 t). The high technology corn crop was profitable (gross income and profitability index of 14% and 12%, respectively). For the middle technology crop, profitability indexes pointed out that the cropping system needs to be reevaluated by technicians and research institutions, regarding the adequate technical recommendations. Profitability indexes decreased considerably in both cropping systems. It was verified that, in relation to the 2006/2007 harvest period, the total operational cost increased for both technologies, mainly because of the increase of supplies prices.