Allometry and morphophysiology of papaya seedlings in a substrate with polymer under irrigation with saline water

The availability and quality of the irrigation water are among the limitations for the development of agriculture in the semiarid. Aiming at gathering information on these limitations, this work aimed to evaluate the association between a water-absorbing polymer and water salinity in irrigation frequencies, as well as container volumes on the allometric and morphophysiological indices of seedlings of the papaya (Carica papaya) cultivar ‘Sunrise Solo’. The treatments were obtained from the combination between the water-absorbing polymer (0.0; 0.2; 0.6; 1.0, and; 1.2 g dm-3), the electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.3; 1.1; 2.7; 4.3, and; 5.0 dS m-1), and irrigation frequencies (daily and alternate), plus two additional treatments (0.75 and 1.30 dm3) to study the effects of the container volume, distributed in a randomized block design. At 55 days after sowing, the following characteristics were evaluated: ratio between stem height and diameter; ratio between shoot and root dry matter; root density; leaf blade area; ratio between total leaf area and root dry mass; specific leaf area; leaf area ratio; leaf mass ratio; and Dickson quality index. The allometric and morphophysiological indices were damaged by the increase of water electrical conductivity and favored by the application of the polymer and a higher irrigation frequency. In the production of papaya seedlings, a daily irrigation frequency must be prioritized, using containers of 0.75 or 1.30 dm-3, water with electrical conductivity up to 2.6 and 1.9 dS m-1 when irrigated daily or in alternate days, respectively, and 0.6 g dm-3 of polymer.The availability and quality of the irrigation water are among the limitations for the development of agriculture in the semiarid. Aiming at gathering information on these limitations, this work aimed to evaluate the association between a water-absorbing polymer and water salinity in irrigation frequencies, as well as container volumes on the allometric and morphophysiological indices of seedlings of the papaya (Carica papaya) cultivar ‘Sunrise Solo’. The treatments were obtained from the combination between the water-absorbing polymer (0.0; 0.2; 0.6; 1.0, and; 1.2 g dm-3), the electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (0.3; 1.1; 2.7; 4.3, and; 5.0 dS m-1), and irrigation frequencies (daily and alternate), plus two additional treatments (0.75 and 1.30 dm3) to study the effects of the container volume, distributed in a randomized block design. At 55 days after sowing, the following characteristics were evaluated: ratio between stem height and diameter; ratio between shoot and root dry matter; root density; leaf blade area; ratio between total leaf area and root dry mass; specific leaf area; leaf area ratio; leaf mass ratio; and Dickson quality index. The allometric and morphophysiological indices were damaged by the increase of water electrical conductivity and favored by the application of the polymer and a higher irrigation frequency. In the production of papaya seedlings, a daily irrigation frequency must be prioritized, using containers of 0.75 or 1.30 dm-3, water with electrical conductivity up to 2.6 and 1.9 dS m-1 when irrigated daily or in alternate days, respectively, and 0.6 g dm-3 of polymer

Fruit production and quality of guava ‘Paluma’ as a function of humic substances and soil mulching

The uses of humic substances and organic residues for soil mulching have been more common during last years. This way, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the fruit quality and yield of guava cv. Paluma as a function of humic substances and organic soil mulching in Brazil. The experiment was performed from January 2012 to June 2013 (first trial) and from July to November 2013 (second trial) using a randomized blocks with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement (5 × 2 × 2) of five humic substances doses (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mL of Humitec plant-1), two organic mulching use (with and without organic mulching) and two consecutive harvests, with four replications of two plants each. Humic substances enhance fruit production more efficiently in guava plants grown without soil mulching. Guava fruit production increases from the first to the second harvest. Fruit quality for titratable acidity, soluble solids, vitamin C and soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio is adequate independently of soil mulching use. Humic substances improve fruit quality of guava cv. Paluma. Under soil and climate conditions, and considering the first two production cycles of guava, it is possible to recommend about 20 mL L-1 of humic substances for production of high quality guava fruits.Key words: Humic acids, post-harvest, Psidium guajava

BIOMASS AND LEAF CHLOROPHYLL IN OITICICA SEEDLINGS UNDER WATER SALINITY IRRIGATON AND ORGANIC COMPOUND ADDITION

Salt-compromised agricultural areas in the semi-arid regions of the Brazilian Northeast, have increased due to the use of water with high saline concentration as the only water supply available to plants, damaging the quality of the seedlings and the productive yield of the crops. One way to alleviate the detrimental effects of salts is the addition of organic compound to the substrate as a way to attenuate the action of water and soil salinity on biomass formation and chlorophyllactic activity in seedlings and adult plants of forest species, including Licania rigida Benth, the Oiticica. In view of this issue, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of water salinity irrigation and of the addition of an organic compound obtained by fermentation of castor bean (Ricinus communis) and cattle manure on biomass accumulation and chlorophyll indices in Oiticica seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a 4 × 2 factorial scheme in randomized blocks, with five replications and two seedlings per plot, relative to the proportions of organic compost - C and soil - S (0C: 1S, 1C: 1S, 2C: 1S, 3C: 1S) and irrigation of the seedlings with non-saline (0.5 dS m-1) and saline (4.5 dS m-1) water. The increase of organic compound in the substrate in proportion to the soil of 3: 1 surpassed by 42.9% the biomass of the aerial part of the Oiticica seedlings irrigated with saline water. The results indicate that the organic compound mitigates, though does not eliminate, the detrimental effects of water salinity irrigation on the biomass formation and chlorophyllactic indexes of the seedling

GROWTH AND WATER CONSUMPTION OF TWO BEAN SPECIES UNDER IRRIGATION WITH SALINE WATER

A salinidade é um importante problema ambiental, especialmente em regiões onde a irrigação com água de qualidade inferior é praticada. Neste sentido, um experimento foi conduzido entre maio e agosto de 2005 na Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Brasil com o objetivo de avaliar o crescimento e consumo de água das espécies Phaseolus vulgaris e Vigna unguiculata, irrigadas com diferentes níveis de salinidade. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 6 x 2 referentes à condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (ECw), como segue: 0,0; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; 6,0 e 7,5 dS m-1 e duas espécies de feijão, respectivamente, com quatro repetições e seis vasos por parcelas. O diâmetro do caule, matéria seca de raízes e parte aérea e consumo de água das plantas de feijoeiro foram avaliadas. Incementando-se o nível de salinidade da água da irrigação, os resultados de todas as variáveis decresceram drasticamente para ambas as espécies. P. vulgaris foi mais deleteriamente afetada pela salinidade da água que V. unguiculata.Salinity is an important environmental problem, specially in regions where irrigation with low quality water is practiced. In this sense, an experiment was carried out from May 2005 to August 2005 at Federal University of Paraiba, Areia, Brazil aiming to evaluate the growth and water consumption of Phaseolus vulgaris e Vigna unguiculata, irrigated with different salinity levels. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design, in factorial arrangement 6 x 2 referring to electrical conductivity levels of water irrigation (ECw), as follows: 0.0; 1.5; 3.0; 4.5; 6.0 e 7.5 dS m-1 and two bean species, respectively, with four repetitions and six pots in each parcel. The stem diameter, shoot and root dry mass and water consumption of bean plants were evaluated. Increasing water salinity level, the results of all variables decreased drastically for both species. Phaseolus vulgaris species is more deleteriously affected by water salinity than Vigna unguiculata

Estado nutricional do pimentão cultivado em solo tratado com diferentes tipos de biofertilizantes.

O uso de biofertilizantes líquidos é umas das práticas da agricultura orgânica com finalidade de obter nutrição balanceada das plantas. Como resultado, espera-se níveis mais elevados de produtividade sem aumentos significativos nos custos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho verificar o estado nutricional do pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.), em resposta à aplicação de diferentes fontes e doses de biofertilizantes. O experimento foi realizado no Sítio macaquinhos, em Remígio, estado da Paraíba. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em esquema fatorial 2 × 5, referente a duas fontes de biofertilizante e cinco doses de cálcio (0; 0,65; 1,30; 1,95 e 2,60 g cova-1 de cálcio). As covas foram abertas em espaçamento de 1 × 0,50 m e preenchidas com 2 L de esterco bovino e 1 L de cinza vegetal. Os biofertilizantes puro e agrobio foram preparados 30 e 60 dias antes do plantio, respectivamente. No início da floração, as plantas de pimentão encontravam-se nutricionalmente deficientes em nitrogênio, cálcio e magnésio, mas equilibradas em fósforo, potássio e enxofre. Apesar do acréscimo de macro e micronutrientes no agrobio, ao final do experimento, constatou-se que os resultados foram semelhantes quanto ao estado nutricional das plantas

Biofertilizers in horticultural crops

Bovine manure biofertilizers can exert physical, chemical, and biological effects on the soil and the phytoprotective, physiological, and productive actions in horticultural crops. The literature review was performed to compile information on the production, uses, and effects of bovine manure biofertilizers on soil properties and plants. Biofertilizers are produced by organic components, minerals, and inoculants. Among the organic sources, the bovine manure is the most used. The fermentation of the bovine manure in water constitutes the Vairo biofertilizer, the most employed in Brazilian horticulture. With the chemical enrichment of this preparation came the Supermagro, Agrobio, and Agrobom biofertilizers. In the soil, it can act in the improvement of soil fertility, physical properties, and in the diversity and abundance of the biota. Also, it can act in control of pests and diseases, leaf composition concerning macro and micronutrients, and in the production and post-harvest quality of horticultural crops. Therefore, this review describes the preparation, chemical composition, and utilization of bovine manure biofertilizers in both soil and plants, offering perspectives of research on the formulations, application, and effects of these inputs on horticultural species.Bovine manure biofertilizers can exert physical, chemical, and biological effects on the soil and the phytoprotective, physiological, and productive actions in horticultural crops. The literature review was performed to compile information on the production, uses, and effects of bovine manure biofertilizers on soil properties and plants. Biofertilizers are produced by organic components, minerals, and inoculants. Among the organic sources, the bovine manure is the most used. The fermentation of the bovine manure in water constitutes the Vairo biofertilizer, the most employed in Brazilian horticulture. With the chemical enrichment of this preparation came the Supermagro, Agrobio, and Agrobom biofertilizers. In the soil, it can act in the improvement of soil fertility, physical properties, and in the diversity and abundance of the biota. Also, it can act in control of pests and diseases, leaf composition concerning macro and micronutrients, and in the production and post-harvest quality of horticultural crops. Therefore, this review describes the preparation, chemical composition, and utilization of bovine manure biofertilizers in both soil and plants, offering perspectives of research on the formulations, application, and effects of these inputs on horticultural species

Macrofauna edáfica em três ambientes diferentes na região do Cariri Paraibano, Brasil

The diversity of soil fauna has been considered a key aspect for maintaining the structure and fertility of soils. The crops of Cocos nucifera L., Vigna unguiculata L. and Opuntia ficus indica Mill. are major crops for income generation in the semiarid. This study aimed to identify the population of macrofauna present in these crops. The study was conducted in the municipality of Parari, Paraíba State, Brazil, in February 2012 (rainy season). For soil macrofauna determination, the samples were collected in seven points, using Provid traps at the level of the soil surface. From the data obtained were quantified and calculated the number of groups, and the diversity and the uniformity by sthe Shannon (H) and Pielou (e) indexes. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (F test) and the means were compared by Tukey test at 5% and 1% probability. The most abundant taxa and that showed less Shannon and Pielou indexes were Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Araneae respectively. Diplodia, Diptera and Thysanura had higher number of individuals in the cultivated area with C. nucifera, while the order Lepidoptera was higher in the culture O. ficus indica.A diversidade da fauna edáfica tem sido considerada um aspecto chave para a manutenção da estrutura e fertilidade dos solos tropicais. As culturas do coqueiro (Cocos nucifera L.), o feijoeiro macassar (Vigna unguiculata L.) e a palma forrageira (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.) são culturas de suma importância para a geração de renda no semiárido. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo identificar a população da macrofauna presente nas culturas do coqueiro da variedade anão, feijoeiro macassar e palma forrageira. O trabalho foi realizado no município de Parari, PB, no mês de fevereiro de 2012, (período chuvoso). Para a determinação da macrofauna do solo foram selecionados sete pontos de coletas fixos. Foram utilizadas armadilhas do tipo Provid, que foram enterradas de modo que os bordos das quatro aberturas ficassem ao nível da superfície do solo. A partir dos dados obtidos foram quantificadas e calculadas a riqueza da fauna (nº de grupos identificados) e a diversidade e uniformidade através dos índices de Shannon (H) e de Pielou (e). Os dados também foram submetidos a análise de variância (teste F) e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% e 1% de probabilidade. Os grupos taxonômicos mais abundantes e que apresentaram menores índices de Shannon e de Pielou foram: Hymenoptera, Coleoptera e Araneae respectivamente. As ordens Diplopoda, Diptera e Thysanura obtiveram maior número de indivíduos na área cultivada com coqueiro; enquanto a ordem Lepidoptera foi superior na cultura da palma forrageira

Organic fertilizer and irrigation in changes the chemical properties of a Fluvent and okra production

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization on changes of chemical properties of a “Neossolo Flúvico Eutrófico” (Fluvent) and okra production, cultivated with and without mulching and irrigation depths. The experiment was installed in the Agroecology sector at Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. The treatments were designed in a randomized blocks using the 2 x 5 x 2 factorial, which  corresponding to two irrigation depths (100 and 50% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc), five doses of cattle manure to increase the level from 1.8 % to 2.8; 3.8; 4.8 and 5.8%, in soil with and without mulching (plant residues), with four replications, totaling 80 plots with 27 plants per plot. 140 days after planting okra, soil samples were collected at each plot and chemical analyses were performed. The okra production was evaluated based on the number of green fruits and crop yield. The data were submitted to analysis of variance. The application of cattle manures to the soil between 4.8 and 5.8% and irrigation with 100% of crop evapotranspiration - Etc, with and without mulching, was suitable for the cultivation of okra under semi-arid climatic conditions, which provided increases in the chemical attributes of a Fluvent and in the okra production.The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of organic fertilization on changes of chemical properties of a “Neossolo Flúvico Eutrófico” (Fluvent) and okra production, cultivated with and without mulching and irrigation depths. The experiment was installed in the Agroecology sector at Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. The treatments were designed in a randomized blocks using the 2 x 5 x 2 factorial, which corresponding to two irrigation depths (100 and 50% of the crop evapotranspiration - ETc), five doses of cattle manure to increase the level from 1.8 % to 2.8; 3.8; 4.8 and 5.8%, in soil with and without mulching (plant residues), with four replications, totaling 80 plots with 27 plants per plot. 140 days after planting okra, soil samples were collected at each plot and chemical analyses were performed. The okra production was evaluated based on the number of green fruits and crop yield. The data were submitted to analysis of variance. The application of cattle manures to the soil between 4.8 and 5.8% and irrigation with 100% of crop evapotranspiration - Etc, with and without mulching, was suitable for the cultivation of okra under semi-arid climatic conditions, which provided increases in the chemical attributes of a Fluvent and in the okra production

Humitec® e cobertura morta do solo no crescimento inicial da goiabeira cv. ‘Paluma’ no campo.

A cultura da goiabeira expressa viabilidade socioeconômica no agronegócio brasileiro, contribui para a fixação do homem no campo e influencia positivamente na melhoria da distribuição da renda regional. Neste sentido, um experimento foi realizado no município de Remígio, Paraíba, Brasil, durante o período de março/2011 a julho/2012, para avaliar os efeitos das substâncias húmicas e da cobertura do solo, no crescimento das plantas de goiabeira cv. ‘Paluma’. Os tratamentos foram dispostos em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e duas plantas por parcela, utilizando o esquema fatorial 5 x 2, correspondendo as doses de substâncias húmicas de Humitec® de 0; 10; 20; 30 e 40 mL L-1, aplicadas em volume constante de 4 L de cada mistura a cada dois meses na área de projeção das plantas, no solo sem e com cobertura morta. As plantas responderam mais aos efeitos das substâncias húmicas do que à cobertura morta do solo, em que a maior altura e a maior área da copa, respectivamente aos 90 dias e aos 15 meses após o plantio corresponderam às doses estimadas de 18,6 e 20,4 mL de L-1 de Humitec®. A cobertura morta manteve o solo mais úmido, menos aquecido e reduziu as perdas hídricas por evaporação