Practices and Techniques for Engineering Process Capability Models

Software Process Improvement, based on a Maturity Level or a Process Capability Profile, from a Capability Maturity Model or an ISO/IEC 15504-based model, is well established in the software industry as a successful practical means for improving software intensive organizations. In consequence there is an opportunity to understand how these models have been developed and consolidate this knowledge to support the development of new models by a broader community including the industry. This article introduces practices and techniques of a Method Framework for Engineering Process Capability Models as an element of a methodology on a Process Capability Profile to drive Process Improvement. This method framework is based on previous experiences to develop different process capability models. Its current version is composed of sequential practices, customization rules, guidelines for using the framework, a repository for examples of utilization and another repository for examples of techniques. This method framework is part of a methodology. An initial validation indicates a first confidence that this method framework is a useful proposal for developing methods and processes for engineering process capability models

Gas exchange and organic solutes in forage sorghum genotypes grown under different salinity levels

ABSTRACT Adaptation of plants to saline environments depends on the activation of mechanisms that minimize the effects of excess ions on vital processes, such as photosynthesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll, and organic solute in ten genotypes of forage sorghum irrigated with solutions of different salinity levels. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, in a 10 x 6 factorial arrangement, with three replications, using ten genotypes - F305, BRS-655, BRS-610, Volumax, 1.015.045, 1.016.005, 1.016.009, 1.016.013, 1.016.015 and 1.016.031 - and six saline solutions, with electrical conductivity (ECw) of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 dS m-1. The photosynthetic activity in forage sorghum plants reduces with increasing salinity, and this response was found in the ten genotypes evaluated. The chlorophyll and protein contents were not affected by salinity, whereas carbohydrates and amino acid contents increased with increasing ECw. Soluble sugars are essential for osmoregulation of forage sorghum due to its high content in leaves

Gas exchange and organic solutes in forage sorghum genotypes grown under different salinity levels

<div><p>ABSTRACT Adaptation of plants to saline environments depends on the activation of mechanisms that minimize the effects of excess ions on vital processes, such as photosynthesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll, and organic solute in ten genotypes of forage sorghum irrigated with solutions of different salinity levels. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, in a 10 x 6 factorial arrangement, with three replications, using ten genotypes - F305, BRS-655, BRS-610, Volumax, 1.015.045, 1.016.005, 1.016.009, 1.016.013, 1.016.015 and 1.016.031 - and six saline solutions, with electrical conductivity (ECw) of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 dS m-1. The photosynthetic activity in forage sorghum plants reduces with increasing salinity, and this response was found in the ten genotypes evaluated. The chlorophyll and protein contents were not affected by salinity, whereas carbohydrates and amino acid contents increased with increasing ECw. Soluble sugars are essential for osmoregulation of forage sorghum due to its high content in leaves.</p></div

Potentialities and limitations of agricultural use in soils of semi-arid region of the state of Bahia

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the potentialities and limitations of the agricultural use of representative classes of semi-arid regions of the state of Bahia, based on the pedological and evaluation of their soil characteristics. Five areas were selected where trenches were opened to collect samples for the analyses: Eutric Haplustept which presents vulnerability to physical and chemical degradation due to poor drainage with risks of erosion, waterlogging, salinization and compaction but having good natural fertility; Abrupt Kandiustalf with high vulnerability to physical degradation due to the presence of gravel and pebbles which may limit the development of deep rooting plants and mechanization but also with good natural fertility; Typic quartzipsaments and Typic Eutrustalf with no limitations related to drainage as low risk of compaction but featuring limitation of low moisture-holding capacity and nutrients; and Arenic Haplustulf wose characteristics are high vulnerability to degradation due to the drainage limitation related to the Btx horizon cementing in addition to low natural fertility and therefore is not recommended to agricultural use. However, in general, they feature no serious impediments for agricultural use. The amounts of OM is low in all soils but the use of management systems aiming at their accumulation and maintenance in appropriate levels will contribute to the CEC increase as well as to improve the chemical and physical properties

Efeito da aplicação pré-colheita de cálcio na qualidade e no teor de nutrientes de manga 'Tommy Atkins' Quality and nutrient level of mango cv. 'Tommy Atkins' as affected by calcium application before harves

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito da aplicação pré-colheita de cálcio na qualidade e no teor de nutrientes de frutos de manga Tommy Atkins, foi realizado um experimento em um pomar comercial com dez anos de idade, localizado no município de Petrolina-PE. Foram avaliados sete tratamentos, sendo duas fontes comerciais de cálcio e três dosagens de cada fonte (5,8; 11,6 e 17,4 mmol L-1 de Ca na forma de Ca-quelatizado e 45,0; 90,0 e 135,0 mmol L-1 de Ca na forma de CaCl2.2H2O), além de um tratamento-controle. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As aplicações dos tratamentos foram realizadas quinzenalmente, iniciadas quando os frutos apresentavam tamanho chumbinho (5 a 10 mm) e estenderam-se até duas semanas antes da colheita. Foram realizadas seis pulverizações de uma calda contendo os tratamentos, sendo que, em cada aplicação, foram fornecidos 12,5 L/planta de calda. Os frutos foram colhidos no estádio de maturação 2. Quarenta frutos, agrupados em lotes de dez, foram acondicionados em caixas de papelão com capacidade para 6 kg e submetidos ao armazenamento por 0; 20; 30 e 40 dias sob refrigeração (10.5&plusmn;1.0&deg;C e 90&plusmn;5% de UR). Depois de retirados da câmara fria, os frutos foram mantidos por cinco dias em sala de amadurecimento a 21&plusmn;1&deg;C e 60&plusmn;5% de UR. Foram determinados os teores de N, K, Ca e Mg na casca e na polpa dos frutos no lote equivalente ao tempo inicial de armazenamento e avaliada a incidência de colapso interno em todos os lotes. A aplicação de cálcio tanto na forma quelatizada quanto de sal solúvel aumentou as concentrações do nutriente na casca dos frutos. Aplicações de Ca-quelatizado mostraram-se eficientes em aumentar as concentrações de cálcio na polpa dos frutos, podendo contribuir para prevenir a ocorrência de colapso interno em curto período de armazenamento.<br>The effect of calcium on quality and nutrient level of mango cv. "Tommy Atkins" was studied when applied prior to harvest on a ten-year old orchard, in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Three levels of two commercial calcium sources (5.8; 11.6 and 17.3 mmol L-1 of Ca as chelate Ca and 45.0; 90.0 and 135.0 mmol L-1 of Ca as the soluble salt CaCl2.2H2O), and a control treatment were evaluated, in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Calcium was applied every two weeks, starting at the fruit set stage (fruits 5 to 10 mm long) up to two weeks before harvest. Six sprayings of solutions containing the calcium treatments were applied providing 12.5 L of the solution/plant in each application. The fruits were harvested in the ripening stage 2. Forty fruits were grouped in four lots of ten, placed into cardboard boxes with capacity for 6 kg and stored for 0, 20, 30 and 40 days under refrigeration (10.5&plusmn;1.0&deg;C and 90&plusmn;5% RH). After removed from the cold chamber, the fruits were kept for five days in a ripening room at 21&plusmn;1&deg;C and 60&plusmn;5% RH. N, K, Ca and Mg contents in the flesh and skin were determined in the lot equivalent to the shortest time of storage and the incidence of internal breakdown was evaluated in all four lots. Calcium application in both chelate and soluble salt forms increased the nutrient contents in the skin. Applications of chelate Ca showed to be efficient in increasing the calcium contents in the fruit flesh, contributing to prevent the occurrence of internal breakdown in short storage periods

Acúmulo de nutrientes por três cultivares de alface cultivadas em condições do Semi-Árido Accumulation of nutrients by three lettuce cultivars grown under Semi-arid conditions

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo determinar o acúmulo de nutrientes em cultivares de alface cultivadas em condições do semi-árido. O experimento foi conduzido em área experimental da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido em solo classificado como Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados completos em esquema fatorial 3 x 5 com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos resultaram da combinação de três cultivares de alface (Babá de Verão, Tainá e Verônica) e cinco épocas de coletas (7, 12, 17, 22 e 27 dias após transplantio - DAT). A máxima produção de matéria seca foi obtida aos 27 DAT, sendo de 8,9; 6,9 e 6,4 g planta-1, respectivamente para as cultivares Babá de Verão, Tainá e Verônica. O período de maior demanda para N, P, K e Mg foi de 22 a 27 DAT e para Ca de 17 a 22 DAT, em todas as cultivares. A ordem decrescente dos nutrientes acumulados pelas cultivares de alface foi: K, N, P, Mg e Ca.<br>The objective of this work was to determine the accumulation of nutrients by lettuce cultivars in conditions of Semi-arid. The experiment was carried in the field of University Federal Rural do Semi-Árido, in Mossoró, Rio Grande do North State, Brazil, in soil Alfissol. The experimental design was of randomized complete blocks, with four replications, in a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, being evaluated the cultivars of lettuce: Babá de Verão, Tainá and Verônica and sampling times 7, 12, 17, 22 and 27 days after transplanting (DAT). The maximum accumulation of dry mass occurred at 27 DAT, being of 8.9; 6.9 and 6.4 g/plant, respectively to cultivars Baby de Verão, Tainá and Verônica. The period of larger demand for N, P, K and Mg occurred from 22 to 27 DAT and for Ca of 17 the 22 DAT in all to cultivars. The nutrients in decreasing order of accumulation by the lettuce cultivars were: K, N, P, Mg e Ca