Biofertilizer in leaf and drip applications: an alternative to increase tomato productivity

The tomato is a species of undetermined growth and extremely demanding in nutrients Therefore, the search of new ways to maximize the use and supply of fertilizers sources and their application mechanisms are important to improve the tomato culture management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application methods of liquid biofertilizer (BF) and the harvest times throughout cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, in a 3x6 factorial with subdivided plot and seven replications. The treatments were foliar and drip BF application and a control, without application of BF, and harvesting time (85; 92; 99; 106; 113; 120 days after transplanting-DAT). Leaf application resulted in a class I production increase in the second week of harvest (92 DAT), while drip application reflected higher class II and III production in the fourth week (106 DAT). In all treatments, at 92 DAT higher production of large fruits (class I) was observed. Production of average fruits (class II) occurred at 92 and 113 DAT and small fruit (class III) production was concentrated at 113 DAT. The adoption of BF, regardless of the application form, provides an increase in total productivity, with an income up to 35% higher. Therefore, biofertilizer is a good source for nutrition implementation aiming at yields and returns in the tomato production chain.The tomato is a species of undetermined growth and extremely demanding in nutrients Therefore, the search of new ways to maximize the use and supply of fertilizers sources and their application mechanisms are important to improve the tomato culture management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application methods of liquid biofertilizer (BF) and the harvest times throughout cultivation. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design, in a 3x6 factorial with subdivided plot and seven replications. The treatments were foliar and drip BF application and a control, without application of BF, and harvesting time (85; 92; 99; 106; 113; 120 days after transplanting-DAT). Leaf application resulted in a class I production increase in the second week of harvest (92 DAT), while drip application reflected higher class II and III production in the fourth week (106 DAT). In all treatments, at 92 DAT higher production of large fruits (class I) was observed. Production of average fruits (class II) occurred at 92 and 113 DAT and small fruit (class III) production was concentrated at 113 DAT. The adoption of BF, regardless of the application form, provides an increase in total productivity, with an income up to 35% higher. Therefore, biofertilizer is a good source for nutrition implementation aiming at yields and returns in the tomato production chain

Macro and micronutrient accumulation in watermelon

The expansion of crop productivity such as watermelon can be reached by providing adequate nutrition in quantity and when plants need it most. It is known that well-nourished plants better resist biotic and abiotic stresses, being determinants for more sustainable management. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the plant growth, the rate of nutrient absorption, the proportion of absorption, and estimate the quantity of exported nutrients by watermelon fruits. The experiment was implemented in randomized block design with eight treatments (phenological phases) - 33 and 40 (growth), 47 and 54 (flowering), 61 and 68 (filling), 75 and 82 (maturation) days after planting (DAP). Each evaluation consisted of plant collection for dry mass, macro, and micronutrient analysis in the shoot (leaves and stems), fruits, and the entire plant. The period between 61 and 68 DAP was the one with the highest plant dry matter increment. The accumulation of macronutrients in the plant shoot showed the following decreasing order: Ca>N>K>Mg>P>S, in the fruits: K>N>P>Ca>Mg>S and in the whole plant: K>N>Ca>P>Mg>S. For micronutrients, the decreasing order of accumulation for the shoot and the entire plant were Fe>Mn>Zn>B>Cu, and for fruits were Fe>B>Zn>Mn>Cu.The expansion of crop productivity such as watermelon can be reached by providing adequate nutrition in quantity and when plants need it most. It is known that well-nourished plants better resist biotic and abiotic stresses, being determinants for more sustainable management. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the plant growth, the rate of nutrient absorption, the proportion of absorption, and estimate the quantity of exported nutrients by watermelon fruits. The experiment was implemented in randomized block design with eight treatments (phenological phases) - 33 and 40 (growth), 47 and 54 (flowering), 61 and 68 (filling), 75 and 82 (maturation) days after planting (DAP). Each evaluation consisted of plant collection for dry mass, macro, and micronutrient analysis in the shoot (leaves and stems), fruits, and the entire plant. The period between 61 and 68 DAP was the one with the highest plant dry matter increment. The accumulation of macronutrients in the plant shoot showed the following decreasing order: Ca>N>K>Mg>P>S, in the fruits: K>N>P>Ca>Mg>S and in the whole plant: K>N>Ca>P>Mg>S. For micronutrients, the decreasing order of accumulation for the shoot and the entire plant were Fe>Mn>Zn>B>Cu, and for fruits were Fe>B>Zn>Mn>Cu.The expansion of crop productivity such as watermelon can be reached by providing adequate nutrition in quantity and when plants need it most. It is known that well-nourished plants better resist biotic and abiotic stresses, being determinants for more sustainable management. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the plant growth, the rate of nutrient absorption, the proportion of absorption, and estimate the quantity of exported nutrients by watermelon fruits. The experiment was implemented in randomized block design with eight treatments (phenological phases) - 33 and 40 (growth), 47 and 54 (flowering), 61 and 68 (filling), 75 and 82 (maturation) days after planting (DAP). Each evaluation consisted of plant collection for dry mass, macro, and micronutrient analysis in the shoot (leaves and stems), fruits, and the entire plant. The period between 61 and 68 DAP was the one with the highest plant dry matter increment. The accumulation of macronutrients in the plant shoot showed the following decreasing order: Ca>N>K>Mg>P>S, in the fruits: K>N>P>Ca>Mg>S and in the whole plant: K>N>Ca>P>Mg>S. For micronutrients, the decreasing order of accumulation for the shoot and the entire plant were Fe>Mn>Zn>B>Cu, and for fruits were Fe>B>Zn>Mn>Cu

Foliar application of titanium on potato crop

Although titanium (Ti) is not considered a nutrient, researches demonstrate that Ti leaf application can provide beneficial effects on plants growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of foliar applications of Ti levels on the metabolism, nutrient uptake and yield of potato crop, Agate cultivar. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with five treatments and four replications. The treatments were composed of 0, 10.2, 15.3, 20.4 and 22.9 g Ti ha-1, divided into three applications during the growth stage, tuberization stage and tuber filling stage. Foliar applications of Ti increase the chlorophyll content (Spad value) in the tuber filling stage. Ti levels do not interfere with N, Zn and Cu nutrient accumulation. Increasing Ti levels linearly reduce the Mn, lipid peroxidation (PL) and urease content and increase the activity of peroxidase (POD), nitrate reductase (ANR), catalase (CAT), proline and Fe content in the growth stage, with maximum level around 3 to 6 g Ti ha-1. In the tuberization stage, at high levels of Ti, there is an increase in urease activity and CAT while ANR has its lowest value. In the tuber filling stage, high Ti levels are related to high Fe, Mn, high ANR and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and low PL activity. The ideal level of titanium applied by leaf for greater yield of tubers is 11.3 g of Ti ha-1

Agronomic efficiency of organomineral fertilizer in onion cultivation

Onions has high nutritional and nutraceutical value. In the last decade the bulbs have gained increasingrelevance due their compounds linked to anti-cancer effects. The fertilization managment is relevant to thiscrop because the mineral’s influence beyond productivity, interfering in several aspects of quality. Organicsources despite available, adoption is still cautious and seen as an expense, rather than investment in soilquality. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the use of organomineral fertilizer on the development andproductivity of Akamaru hybrid. The experiment was carried out in Cristalina-GO, in a randomized block design,with 4 replications and 5 treatments: organomineral fertilizer (NPK) with the formula 02-20-05. The rates wereadjusted to approximately the same amounts, where 3,680 kg ha-1 was considered the 100% rate, 2,944 kg ha-1as 80%, 2,208 kg ha-1 as 60% and 1,472 kg ha-1 as 40% of the rate established. The rate of 2,300 kg ha-1 of theformulated 03-35-06 referred to 100% of the mineral source. The total yield of onion was not affected when theorganomineral source was used, therefore, it is a viable source for use in onion culture. A rate reduction of upto 20% of the recommended mineral rate allows good performance (85.5 t ha-1), with 7.5 t ha-1 higher than the60% reduction of the recommended rate.Onions has high nutritional and nutraceutical value. In the last decade the bulbs have gained increasingrelevance due their compounds linked to anti-cancer effects. The fertilization managment is relevant to thiscrop because the mineral’s influence beyond productivity, interfering in several aspects of quality. Organicsources despite available, adoption is still cautious and seen as an expense, rather than investment in soilquality. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the use of organomineral fertilizer on the development andproductivity of Akamaru hybrid. The experiment was carried out in Cristalina-GO, in a randomized block design,with 4 replications and 5 treatments: organomineral fertilizer (NPK) with the formula 02-20-05. The rates wereadjusted to approximately the same amounts, where 3,680 kg ha-1 was considered the 100% rate, 2,944 kg ha-1as 80%, 2,208 kg ha-1 as 60% and 1,472 kg ha-1 as 40% of the rate established. The rate of 2,300 kg ha-1 of theformulated 03-35-06 referred to 100% of the mineral source. The total yield of onion was not affected when theorganomineral source was used, therefore, it is a viable source for use in onion culture. A rate reduction of upto 20% of the recommended mineral rate allows good performance (85.5 t ha-1), with 7.5 t ha-1 higher than the60% reduction of the recommended rate

Comparison between non-parametric indexes in the selection of biofortified curly lettuce

Selection indexes can be applied to simultaneous analysis of traits, increasing the efficiency of breeding in choosing the genotypes that meet the needs of both the market and the consumer. While it is a technic applied to several cultures, there are few studies about it in lettuce lines. For this reason, the aim of this study was to comparate assess the efficiency of different selection indexes for selecting biofortifiedleaf lettuce lines with good agronomic traits. The experiment was carried out at the Estação Experimental de Hortaliças of Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), campus Monte Carmelo, in 2018. The experiment was designed in full randomized blocks of 3 repetitions with 25 leaf lettuce genotypes (22 lines from cultivars Pira 72 versus Uberlândia 10000 and 3 commercial cultivars – cv. Grand Rapids, UFU-Biofort and Uberlândia 10000). The lines are part of the UFU biofortified lettuce breeding program and were assessed for the total green mass (g), the stem diameter (cm), commercial leaves count, plant diameter (cm), foliar temperature (°C), SPAD index, anthocyanin content (mg 100g-1 sample), and bolting (days after sowing). To estimate selection gains, 10 genotypes were selected using both direct and indirect selection, as well as the traditional index, the sum of ranks index, Willians base index, and the multiplicative index. Mulamba and Mock sum of ranks index and Subandi multiplicative index provided the biggest total gains for the traits assessed in biofortified leaf lettuce. Both indexes were similar in selecting genotypes.Selection indexes can be applied to simultaneous analysis of traits, increasing the efficiency of breeding in choosing the genotypes that meet the needs of both the market and the consumer. While it is a technic applied to several cultures, there are few studies about it in lettuce lines. For this reason, the aim of this study was to comparate assess the efficiency of different selection indexes for selecting biofortifiedleaf lettuce lines with good agronomic traits. The experiment was carried out at the Estação Experimental de Hortaliças of Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), campus Monte Carmelo, in 2018. The experiment was designed in full randomized blocks of 3 repetitions with 25 leaf lettuce genotypes (22 lines from cultivars Pira 72 versus Uberlândia 10000 and 3 commercial cultivars – cv. Grand Rapids, UFU-Biofort and Uberlândia 10000). The lines are part of the UFU biofortified lettuce breeding program and were assessed for the total green mass (g), the stem diameter (cm), commercial leaves count, plant diameter (cm), foliar temperature (°C), SPAD index, anthocyanin content (mg 100g-1 sample), and bolting (days after sowing). To estimate selection gains, 10 genotypes were selected using both direct and indirect selection, as well as the traditional index, the sum of ranks index, Willians base index, and the multiplicative index. Mulamba and Mock sum of ranks index and Subandi multiplicative index provided the biggest total gains for the traits assessed in biofortified leaf lettuce. Both indexes were similar in selecting genotypes

Biostimulants in the development of tomato and collard greens seedlings

The success of crop yields begins with the use of quality seedlings. Crops from vigorous plants respond better to phytosanitary treatments and management techniques, resulting in economic returns and better use of inputs. The objective of this study was to evaluate NPK fertilizer rates and rates of an NPK + auxin biostimulant on the effects over agronomic features of Collard Greens and salad tomato seedlings. The research consisted of two experiments in randomized block, with four replications each. Both experiments were in factorial scheme 2 x 4, consisting of the combination of two nutrient sources (NPK fertilizer 9-45-11 and biostimulant composed of NPK 9-45-11 + 400 mg kg -1 of auxin IAA), and four rates, being then 50; 100; 150 and 200% of the recommended rate of biostimulant for tomato and 50; 75; 100 and 125% of the recommended rate for Collard Greens. The biostimulant favored the development of tomato seedlings, since it provides greater root dry mass accumulation and didn’t promote seedling shedding, as it occurred in the application of NPK fertilizers. On the other hand, the Collard Greens seedlings didn’t distinguish by the presence of auxin in the biostimulant, developing greater seedlings heights with NPK application. Concentrations of 50-200% of the recommended biostimulant fertilizer didn’t interfere on root length, diameter and root dry mass of Collard Greens

Nitrogen fertilization in potatoes cultivars at differents soil and climatic conditions in Minas Gerais state Brazil

A nutrição adequada na cultura da batata resulta em alta produtividade e qualidade de tubérculos e resistência à doenças e pragas. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar a resposta de doses de fertilizantes nitrogenados no incremento da produtividade de tubérculos das cultivares Ágata e Atlantic em diferentes safras e condições edafoclimáticas. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nas safra da seca, em 2009, nos municípios de Serra do Salitre e São Gotardo com as cultivares Atlantic e Ágata, respectivamente. Em 2010, na safra de inverno, em Itajubá, utilizou-se a cultivar Ágata. O delineamento dos experimentos foi em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos que consistiram das doses: 70, 140, 210 e 280 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio e tratamento controle em quatro repetições. A produtividade e classificação dos tubérculos foi baseada na massa fresca e no diâmetro dos tubérculos. A resposta à adubação nitrogenada pela batateira variou em função da região e da época de plantio. As doses crescentes não acarretaram aumento na produtividade, classificação e nos teores de sólidos solúveis dos tubérculos da cultivar Atlantic, em Serra do Salitre, região central do estado de Minas Gerais. A produtividade da cultivar Atlantic em todas as doses foi alta para esta região. Para a cultivar Ágata, no município de São Gotardo, região sul do estado de Minas Gerais, as maiores produtividades foram obtidas na safra da seca com a dose de 275,50 kg ha-1 correspondendo a produção de 44,70 t ha-1 de tubérculos. Em Itajubá, na região sul de Minas Gerais não houve resposta às crescentes doses da adubação nitrogenada.Proper nutrition in potato crop results in high productivity and quality of tubers and resistance to diseases and pests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen fertilizer rates effect on tuber yield of Agata and Atlantic cultivars potatoes, in different soil and weather conditions. The experiments were set up in the dry season in 2009, in Serra do Salitre and São Gotardo cities, the Atlantic and Agata cultivars potatoes were sown, respectively. In 2010, the Agata cultivar potato was sown in Itajubá city. The design of the experiments was randomized blocks with five treatments consisted of: 70, 140, 210 and 280 kg ha-1 of nitrogen rates and treatment control in four replications. Yield and classification were calculated based on fresh matter and diameter of the tubers. The effect to nitrogen fertilization on potato was influenced by the locality and the crop season. There were no differences among the nitrogen rates regard to soluble solids of tubers for Atlantic cultivar potato sown in Serra do Salitre city. The greatest for yield tubers occurred in Serra do Salitre. The greatest average for yield occurred in the dry season at 275,50 kg ha-1 nitrogen rate and achieved a tuber yield of 44.70 t ha-1 to Agata cultivar in São Gotardo. There was no response to increasing doses of nitrogen rates in Itajubá city.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Diversity of Pectobacterium strains by biochemical, physiological, and molecular characterization

Pectobacterium is a complex taxon of strains with diverse characteristics. It comprises several genera, including Erwinia, Brenneria, Pectobacterium, Dickeya, and Pantoea. Pectobacterium and Dickeya cause diseases in a wide range of plants, including potatoes, where they are causative agents of soft rot in tubers and blackleg in field-grown plants. Characterizing Pectobacterium species allows for the analysis of the diversity of pectinolytic bacteria, which may support control strategies for plant bacterial diseases. The aim of this study was to perform biochemical, physiological, and molecular characterizations of Pectobacterium spp. from different sites and host plants. The isolated strains were characterized by the glucose fermentation test, Gram staining, catalase activity, oxidase activity, growth at 37 ºC, reducing substances from sucrose, phosphatase activity, indole production, acid production from different sources (sorbitol, melibiose, citrate, and lactose), pathogenicity in potato, and hypersensitivity reactions. Molecular characterization was performed with species-specific primers ECA1f/ECA2r and EXPCCF/EXPCCR, which identify P. atrosepticum and P. carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), respectively, and with primers 1491f/L1RA/L1RG and Br1f/L1RA/L1RG that differentiate Pcc from Dickeya chrysanthemi and from P. carotovorum subsp. brasiliensis. The strains were identified as belonging to the genus Pectobacterium, though they did not fit the biochemical nor the molecular classification standards for subspecies differentiation, indicating significant diversity among the strains

Nitrogen fertilization in potatoes cultivars at differents soil and climatic conditions in Minas Gerais state Brazil

A nutrição adequada na cultura da batata resulta em alta produtividade e qualidade de tubérculos e resistência à doenças e pragas. Dessa forma, objetivou-se avaliar a resposta de doses de fertilizantes nitrogenados no incremento da produtividade de tubérculos das cultivares Ágata e Atlantic em diferentes safras e condições edafoclimáticas. Os experimentos foram conduzidos nas safra da seca, em 2009, nos municípios de Serra do Salitre e São Gotardo com as cultivares Atlantic e Ágata, respectivamente. Em 2010, na safra de inverno, em Itajubá, utilizou-se a cultivar Ágata. O delineamento dos experimentos foi em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos que consistiram das doses: 70, 140, 210 e 280 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio e tratamento controle em quatro repetições. A produtividade e classificação dos tubérculos foi baseada na massa fresca e no diâmetro dos tubérculos. A resposta à adubação nitrogenada pela batateira variou em função da região e da época de plantio. As doses crescentes não acarretaram aumento na produtividade, classificação e nos teores de sólidos solúveis dos tubérculos da cultivar Atlantic, em Serra do Salitre, região central do estado de Minas Gerais. A produtividade da cultivar Atlantic em todas as doses foi alta para esta região. Para a cultivar Ágata, no município de São Gotardo, região sul do estado de Minas Gerais, as maiores produtividades foram obtidas na safra da seca com a dose de 275,50 kg ha-1 correspondendo a produção de 44,70 t ha-1 de tubérculos. Em Itajubá, na região sul de Minas Gerais não houve resposta às crescentes doses da adubação nitrogenada.Proper nutrition in potato crop results in high productivity and quality of tubers and resistance to diseases and pests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen fertilizer rates effect on tuber yield of Agata and Atlantic cultivars potatoes, in different soil and weather conditions. The experiments were set up in the dry season in 2009, in Serra do Salitre and São Gotardo cities, the Atlantic and Agata cultivars potatoes were sown, respectively. In 2010, the Agata cultivar potato was sown in Itajubá city. The design of the experiments was randomized blocks with five treatments consisted of: 70, 140, 210 and 280 kg ha-1 of nitrogen rates and treatment control in four replications. Yield and classification were calculated based on fresh matter and diameter of the tubers. The effect to nitrogen fertilization on potato was influenced by the locality and the crop season. There were no differences among the nitrogen rates regard to soluble solids of tubers for Atlantic cultivar potato sown in Serra do Salitre city. The greatest for yield tubers occurred in Serra do Salitre. The greatest average for yield occurred in the dry season at 275,50 kg ha-1 nitrogen rate and achieved a tuber yield of 44.70 t ha-1 to Agata cultivar in São Gotardo. There was no response to increasing doses of nitrogen rates in Itajubá city.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Plant growth and yield of garlic (Allium sativum L.) under applications of liquid biofertilizers

Garlic is a highly relevant vegetable crop from the food and medicinal point of view in the culture of different peoples around the world. The new discoveries of the active components present in the bulbs increase the demand and require that garlic’s production system meets the demands of the market in quantity and quality. The nutrition in vegetables is crucial for the production and protection of crops, and in the garlic crop it is usual practice to apply minerals via leaf application during the cycle. The use and benefits of organic sources associated with minerals in the garlic crop raise questions about the viability of the leaf application method in this crop. The objective of this study  was to evaluate the effectiveness of biofertilizers containing humic acids applied via leaf application in the crop of garlic (Allium sativum) in relation to the control (absence of humic acid). There was no significant variation for the foliar application of biofertilizers for the development parameters (aerial part, root system and bulb formation) and garlic production classes. Biofertilizer 4 at the dose of 30 L ha-1 stood out compared to the Biofertilizers 2 and 3 for total productivity. The use of foliar biofertilizers with organic components associated with minerals can be considered an interesting alternative for the cultivation of garlic, especially if evaluated in the long term and considering the global benefits to the cultivation system