Water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods

The objective of this study was to evaluate water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods. The experimental design adopted was a the completely randomized, in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, with three cactus pear genotypes and five storage periods, and ten replications. The cactus pear genotypes [Doce, Baiana and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM)] were harvested after 2 years of cultivation under rainfed conditions, and stored in a ventilated shed (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The genotype Baiana showed greater water reduction in the stored cladodes when compared to the other genotypes. All cactus pear genotypes showed reduction in crude protein and carbohydrates in the storage period of 60 days. There were no losses of nutrients, dry matter and ether extract during the storage periods for the genotype Doce. There was increase in the fiber content of the cladodes of all stored genotypes. During the storage period of the cladodes of all genotypes, there was reduction in the contents of Ca, Mg and Cu. The cactus pear genotypes Doce and OEM can be stored for up to 60 days after harvest. Highlights: • Cactus is also considered a strategic forage reserve and, in this case, the frequency of cutting can vary according to the producer's needs and weather conditions.• Post-harvest storage can be an alternative to reduce costs, as well as transporting the material.• The variety Doce Baiana showed greater water loss in relation to the other varieties.The objective of this study was to evaluate water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods. The experimental design adopted was a the completely randomized, in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, with three cactus pear genotypes and five storage periods, and ten replications. The cactus pear genotypes [Doce, Baiana and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM)] were harvested after 2 years of cultivation under rainfed conditions, and stored in a ventilated shed (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The genotype Baiana showed greater water reduction in the stored cladodes when compared to the other genotypes. All cactus pear genotypes showed reduction in crude protein and carbohydrates in the storage period of 60 days. There were no losses of nutrients, dry matter and ether extract during the storage periods for the genotype Doce. There was increase in the fiber content of the cladodes of all stored genotypes. During the storage period of the cladodes of all genotypes, there was reduction in the contents of Ca, Mg and Cu. The cactus pear genotypes Doce and OEM can be stored for up to 60 days after harvest. Highlights: • Cactus is also considered a strategic forage reserve and, in this case, the frequency of cutting can vary according to the producer's needs and weather conditions.• Post-harvest storage can be an alternative to reduce costs, as well as transporting the material.• The variety Doce Baiana showed greater water loss in relation to the other varieties

Soybean Yield Responses to Micronutrient Fertilizers

The availability of commercial products containing micronutrients for the management of crops has increased in recent years, but there are experimental results showing great variability in response to their application. A literature review was made in 28 scientific articles about the answers in the soybean yield in Brazilian agriculture due to the application of fertilizer containing micronutrients. Then, the aim of this chapter is to approach the efficiency of sources, doses, application methods, time, and yield results achieved in recent years by Brazilian research with the application of micronutrients in soybean. Adequate doses and sources of micronutrient increase Brazilian soybean yield, especially in that soil with low micronutrient content. High yields can be obtained in soils that have micronutrient levels considered adequate or high without their application. To right choice of micronutrients fertilizers, the farmer must know about solubility and other characteristics, including easiness to handling and applying and price. In general, the application method does not result in differences in soybean productivity. Thus, when applying micronutrients in the soil, topdressing or seed furrow, and leaf, and seed treatment, the most important aspects seem to be the time and dose to provide the nutrients in adequate amounts the plant requires

Growth and nutrient balance of Enterolobium contortsiliquum seedlings with addition of organic substrates and wastewater

Diante da geração acentuada de resíduos orgânicos sólidos e efluentes, a utilização desses materiais como fonte primária de nutrientes consiste em uma importante prática de gestão ambiental, sobretudo na produção de mudas com ênfase à recuperação de áreas degradadas. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o crescimento e o balanço nutricional de mudas de tamboril (Enterolobium contortsiliquum (Vell.) Morong) cultivadas em substratos com diferentes formulações e proporções de resíduos orgânicos irrigados com água residuária. Foram testados cinco proporções de composto orgânico e solo: 0:100; 20:80; 40:60; 60:40 e 80:20 v/v, e duas qualidades de água de irrigação: água de abastecimento e água residuária de suinocultura, dispostos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial, 5 x 2, com quatro repetições. Aos 90 dias, foram avaliadas as variáveis morfológicas, índices do sistema integrado de diagnose e recomendação e do balanço nutricional médio das mudas. Constatou-se que o resíduo orgânico contribui para o crescimento e o equilíbrio nutricional das mudas. A proporção 80:20 mostrou-se a mais indicada à produção de mudas de tamboril. O crescimento e balanço nutricional das mudas foram inferiores nos tratamentos que receberam irrigação com água residuária de suinocultura.Given the strong generation of solid organic waste and wastewater, the use of these materials as a primary source of nutrients is an important practice in environmental management, especially in the production of seedlings with emphasis on degraded areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth and nutrient balance of “tamboril” (Enterolobium contortsiliquum (Vell.) Morong) seedlings grown on substrates with different formulations proportions of organic matter irrigated with wastewater. It was tested five ratios of organic composts and soil: 0:100; 20:80; 40:60; 60:40 and 80:20 v/v. Two procedences of irrigation water was tested: water supply and wastewater from swine farming, arranged in a completely randomized design in a factorial scheme 5 x 2, with four replications. At 90 days, we evaluate seedlings morphological variables, the integrate diagnosis recommendation index and the nutrient balance index. The organic residue contributes to seedlings growth and nutritional balance. The proportion 80:20 proved to be the most suitable for “tamboril” seedlings production. Seedlings presented lower growth and nutritional balance when irrigate with swine farm wastewater

Characterization of visual symptoms and growth of australian cedar seedlings under nutritional deficiencies

Australian cedar is an exotic species adapted to soil and climatic conditions of Brazil. This study aimed to characterize the symptoms of nutritional deficiencies and their effect on cloned australian cedar seedling growth via the missing element technique. We used seedlings of two clones of australian cedar (MB and XB) and the experimental design was completely randomized with eight treatments consisting of: a complete nutrient solution, omitting the joint solution of macronutrients (multiple deficiency - MD) and solutions with omission of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S. Nutrient deficiency symptoms were described and photographed. Characteristics were evaluated: height, stem diameter, aerial part dry mass (APDM), root dry mass (RDM), and RDM/APDM ratio. In summary, with omission of N, the plants showed reduced growth and chlorosis of older leaves, with later evolution to younger leaves. These symptoms were similar to those presented by the plants that did not receive nutrients (DM). Moreover, plants with S deficiency showed chlorosis on younger leaves. With the omission of P, was observed only a slight coloration of leaves to blue-green, in the absence of K, chlorosis followed by necrosis with particularities for each clone, and interveinal chlorosis on deficient Mg plants. In general, the N, Ca and S omissions limited the growth of the specie. The decreases in dry matter production yield due to nutrient omissions occur in the following order: Ca> K> Mg> S> N for clone MB and K> Mg> Ca> S> N for clone XB