Cucumber production under organic cultivation in response to biofertilizer application

Cucumber is a vegetable species of high socioeconomic importance, whose fruits are consumed in all Brazilian regions. However, the knowledge of its organic production is still incipient. In this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of the Aodai cucumber under organic cultivation in response to the application of biofertilizer via soil and leaves. The experiment was conducted in the Seridó Ecological Site, Rio Branco, AC, by adopting a randomized block design in a 6x2 factorial arrangement, with four replications and eight plants per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of six concentrations of biofertilizer (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%) diluted in water, applied via foliar spraying, combined with the presence or absence of its pure application in the soil, with both methods applied at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after sowing. The fertilizer was also applied in the soil at sowing. At the end of each harvest, the fruits were divided into two quality categories (classes 1 and 2), and then the following variables were evaluated: number of fruits per plant, mean fruit mass, yield, fruit diameter, and fruit length. There was no significant interaction of the biofertilizer application via foliar spraying or soil for any of the variables. The biofertilizer application via foliar spraying promoted a significant increase in the number of marketable fruits per plant, mean mass of total fruits, and marketable and total yields. The 3% concentration of biofertilizer diluted in water and applied on the leaves is the most efficient method to increment the cucumber yield.Cucumber is a vegetable species of high socioeconomic importance, whose fruits are consumed in all Brazilian regions. However, the knowledge of its organic production is still incipient. In this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the productive performance of the Aodai cucumber under organic cultivation in response to the application of biofertilizer via soil and leaves. The experiment was conducted in the Seridó Ecological Site, Rio Branco, AC, by adopting a randomized block design in a 6x2 factorial arrangement, with four replications and eight plants per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of six concentrations of biofertilizer (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5%) diluted in water, applied via foliar spraying, combined with the presence or absence of its pure application in the soil, with both methods applied at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after sowing. The fertilizer was also applied in the soil at sowing. At the end of each harvest, the fruits were divided into two quality categories (classes 1 and 2), and then the following variables were evaluated: number of fruits per plant, mean fruit mass, yield, fruit diameter, and fruit length. There was no significant interaction of the biofertilizer application via foliar spraying or soil for any of the variables. The biofertilizer application via foliar spraying promoted a significant increase in the number of marketable fruits per plant, mean mass of total fruits, and marketable and total yields. The 3% concentration of biofertilizer diluted in water and applied on the leaves is the most efficient method to increment the cucumber yield

Organic cultivation of yellow passion fruit using tall seedlings with long root systems

Studies related to adaptation to the environment and different conditions of water availability contribute to decision-making regarding the management of any crop to be implanted. Accordingly, this work aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of organic yellow passion fruit cultivated in a long root system in dryland conditions. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with five treatments and four replications with four plants each. The treatments consisted of the alteration of the length of the root system, namely: T1 = 25 cm; T2 = 50 cm; T3 = 75 cm; T4 = 100 cm; and T5 = 125 cm. At 120 days after emergence (DAE), the seedlings were transplanted to the field and the following variables were evaluated: plant height (cm) and base diameter (mm) at 120 DAE; total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), Ratio (TSS/TTA); and fruit yield. The cultivation of tall seedlings with a long root system provides the maintenance of production during the dry season. The TTA, TSS, and the ratio do not change when modifying the length of the root system, although they do change with the harvest season. The cultivation of passion fruit in an organic system using plants with a long root system with an estimated length of 114 cm provides a higher fruit yield (7,472 kg ha-1) in 22 months of cultivation.Studies related to adaptation to the environment and different conditions of water availability contribute to decision-making regarding the management of any crop to be implanted. Accordingly, this work aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of organic yellow passion fruit cultivated in a long root system in dryland conditions. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with five treatments and four replications with four plants each. The treatments consisted of the alteration of the length of the root system, namely: T1 = 25 cm; T2 = 50 cm; T3 = 75 cm; T4 = 100 cm; and T5 = 125 cm. At 120 days after emergence (DAE), the seedlings were transplanted to the field and the following variables were evaluated: plant height (cm) and base diameter (mm) at 120 DAE; total titratable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), Ratio (TSS/TTA); and fruit yield. The cultivation of tall seedlings with a long root system provides the maintenance of production during the dry season. The TTA, TSS, and the ratio do not change when modifying the length of the root system, although they do change with the harvest season. The cultivation of passion fruit in an organic system using plants with a long root system with an estimated length of 114 cm provides a higher fruit yield (7,472 kg ha-1) in 22 months of cultivation

Quality of guava fruits bagged with different materials in an organic system

This study aimed to evaluate the interference of bagging materials on the incidence of insect larvae and the physical and chemical quality of the guava cv. Paluma in an organic system. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with seven treatments and four replications of 25 fruits each. The bagging materials (treatments) were: nonwoven fabric (TNT), transparent plastic bag, white plastic bag, parchment paper, kraft paper, and non-bagged fruits (control). The titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, soluble solids (SS), SS/TA ratio, fresh mass, fruit diameter, fruit length, appearance, and fruit fly incidence were evaluated. Fruit bagging increased the fresh fruit mass, except the tulle bag, which did not change fruit diameter but increased fruit length. There was a high incidence of fruit flies in the non-bagged fruits (100%) and in those with tulle bags (56.53%), reduced to 2.15% when using parchment paper, and reaching the absence of bored fruits when using nonwoven fabric, transparent plastic, and white plastic bags, materials that provided the highest percentages of marketable fruits. All bagging materials did not change the total titratable acidity content and the SS/TA ratio; however, all of them reduced the content of total soluble solids, except the tulle bag. Fruit bagging with nonwoven fabric and parchment paper increased the content of ascorbic acid. Fruit bagging with parchment paper, plastic bag, and nonwoven fabric are efficient in the organic production of guavas for preventing the infection by insect larvae and maintaining the physical and chemical quality of the fruit.This study aimed to evaluate the interference of bagging materials on the incidence of insect larvae and the physical and chemical quality of the guava cv. Paluma in an organic system. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with seven treatments and four replications of 25 fruits each. The bagging materials (treatments) were: nonwoven fabric (TNT), transparent plastic bag, white plastic bag, parchment paper, kraft paper, and non-bagged fruits (control). The titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, soluble solids (SS), SS/TA ratio, fresh mass, fruit diameter, fruit length, appearance, and fruit fly incidence were evaluated. Fruit bagging increased the fresh fruit mass, except the tulle bag, which did not change fruit diameter but increased fruit length. There was a high incidence of fruit flies in the non-bagged fruits (100%) and in those with tulle bags (56.53%), reduced to 2.15% when using parchment paper, and reaching the absence of bored fruits when using nonwoven fabric, transparent plastic, and white plastic bags, materials that provided the highest percentages of marketable fruits. All bagging materials did not change the total titratable acidity content and the SS/TA ratio; however, all of them reduced the content of total soluble solids, except the tulle bag. Fruit bagging with nonwoven fabric and parchment paper increased the content of ascorbic acid. Fruit bagging with parchment paper, plastic bag, and nonwoven fabric are efficient in the organic production of guavas for preventing the infection by insect larvae and maintaining the physical and chemical quality of the fruit

Rentabilidade da produção orgânica de alface em função do ambiente, preparo do solo e época de plantio.

Além da produtividade física e da conservação do solo, o cultivo protegido e o preparo do solo, na olericultura, requerem altos investimentos, muito trabalho e insumos externos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho, foi identificar combinações entre ambiente, preparo do solo e época de plantio capazes de melhorar o desempenho econômico e a produtividade da cultura da alface em cultivo orgânico, em Rio Branco, Acre. O cultivo foi realizado em quatro tipos de ambientes: 1 - sombreamento proporcionado em 52% sob latada de maracujá; 2 - 35% de sombreamento sob estufa; 3 - 50% sob tela de sombreamento; e, 4 - cultivo a pleno sol (testemunha), considerando cada ambiente como um experimento, que avaliou-se três preparos de solo (plantio direto, cultivo mínimo e preparo convencional) em duas épocas de plantio (estiagem e chuvosa), sob delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Considerou-se como custo de produção a soma de todos os valores (insumos) e operações (serviços) utilizados no processo produtivo, incluindo-se os respectivos custos alternativos ou de oportunidade e a depreciação das instalações. O cultivo em estufa e sob tela de sombreamento aumenta a produtividade em época de estiagem, enquanto em época chuvosa, a produtividade é maior em cultivo sob estufa. O plantio direto e cultivo mínimo a pleno sol ou cultivo mínimo sob tela de sombreamento promovem maior produtividade no preparo convencional do solo. Proporcionam lucro supernormal (RMe > CTMe): o cultivo na época chuvosa (verão); sob sombreamento de latada de maracujá-amarelo; a pleno sol; o preparo convencional do solo sob latada e o plantio direto a pleno sol

Production of Pereskia aculeata seedlings combining substrates and cutting diameters

Seedling production is one of the most important stages of plant cultivation, with quality mainly depending on the substrate and plant material used. This study aimed to evaluate the production of Pereskia aculeata seedlings combining substrates and cutting diameters. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement, corresponding to five substrate combinations (commercial, kapok, palm, commercial + kapok and commercial + palm) and three cutting diameter ranges (0.5-3.0, 3.1-5.5 and 5.6-8.0 mm). The following parameters were evaluated: plant height, leaf length and width, number of shoots and leaves, root length, shoot and root fresh mass, shoot and root dry mass, total fresh and dry mass and Dickson quality index. There was a significant interaction effect between substrates and cutting diameters on the seedlings formed, except for number of shoots, leaf length and root dry mass. Seedlings of higher quality can be achieved with larger cutting diameters combined with commercial substrate. The palm and kapok substrates can be used alternatively when combined with larger cutting diameters

Organic compost as a conditioner of soils cultivated with yellow passion fruit

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of doses of organic compost on the yield and economic profitability of organic yellow passion fruit grown in sandy-loam and clay-loam soils. Two experiments were installed in the field, in different soil types and municipalities in the state of Acre. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with five treatments, four replications, and four plants per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of adding the compost as a replacement for 1/3 of the volume of cylindrical planting holes with 40 cm, 80 cm, 120 cm, 160 cm, and 200 cm, corresponding to the addition of 6.3; 25.1; 56.5; 100.4, and 156.9 liters per planting hole, respectively. The mean fruit mass and the yield of the yellow passion fruit were higher in sandy-loam soil. The total revenue was R$4,311.6 ha-1 in the clayey soil and R$ 5,841.9 ha-1 in the sandy soil. The total cost was higher in the clayey soil than in sandy soil. Both soils responded in quadratic function with an increase in the cost as the volume of organic compost was increased, ranging from R$12,736.00 ha-1 with 6.3 liters of compost per hole up to R$ 26,249.63 ha-1 with 156.9 liters of compost per hole. Net income was negative for all compost volumes in both types of soil, responding linearly, with a reduction in revenue of R$80.82 ha-1 with the addition of each liter of compost in the pit due to the low yield caused by period long drought.This research aimed to evaluate the effect of doses of organic compost on the yield and economic profitability of organic yellow passion fruit grown in sandy-loam and clay-loam soils. Two experiments were installed in the field, in different soil types and municipalities in the state of Acre. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with five treatments, four replications, and four plants per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of adding the compost as a replacement for 1/3 of the volume of cylindrical planting holes with 40 cm, 80 cm, 120 cm, 160 cm, and 200 cm, corresponding to the addition of 6.3; 25.1; 56.5; 100.4, and 156.9 liters per planting hole, respectively. The mean fruit mass and the yield of the yellow passion fruit were higher in sandy-loam soil. The total revenue was R$ 4,311.6 ha-1 in the clayey soil and R$5,841.9 ha-1 in the sandy soil. The total cost was higher in the clayey soil than in sandy soil. Both soils responded in quadratic function with an increase in the cost as the volume of organic compost was increased, ranging from R$ 12,736.00 ha-1 with 6.3 liters of compost per hole up to R$26,249.63 ha-1 with 156.9 liters of compost per hole. Net income was negative for all compost volumes in both types of soil, responding linearly, with a reduction in revenue of R$ 80.82 ha-1 with the addition of each liter of compost in the pit due to the low yield caused by period long drought

Agronomic performance of organic lettuce crop influenced by shading, planting times, and tillage, in the state of Acre, Brazil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho agronômico do cultivo de alface orgânica sob diferentes níveis de sombreamento, épocas de plantio e preparo do solo, no Acre. Para cada cultivar de alface avaliada, lisa (Baba de Verão) e crespa (Vera), foram instalados quatro experimentos em ambientes com níveis distintos de sombreamento (casa de vegetação, 35%; tela, 50%; latada de maracujazeiro, 52%; e a pleno sol), em duas épocas de plantio (estiagem e chuvosa). Utilizou-se o delineamento de blocos ao acaso, com três métodos de preparo do solo (plantio direto, cultivo mínimo e preparo convencional) e quatro repetições. O cultivo em casa de vegetação proporciona maior massa de matéria fresca e produtividade de alface 'Vera', e desempenho similar ao observado sob tela de sombreamento, com preparo mínimo do solo, para as duas épocas de plantio avaliadas. O cultivo a pleno sol, em plantio direto, proporciona maior massa de matéria fresca e produtividade de alface 'Vera', para o período de estiagem. A massa de matéria seca da parte aérea das cultivares Baba de Verão e Vera é maior em cultivo em casa de vegetação, seguida do cultivo sob tela de sombreamento.The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of organic lettuce crop, under different levels of shading, planting times, and tillage, in the state of Acre, Brazil. For each lettuce cultivar evaluated, smooth (Baba de Verão) and curly (Vera), four experiments were established in environments with different levels of shading (greenhouse, 35%; screen, 50%; passion fruit trellis, 52%; and in full sun), in two growing seasons (dry and rainy). A randomized complete block design was used, with three tillage methods (no‑tillage, minimum tillage, and conventional tillage) and four replicates. Cultivation in greenhouse provides higher fresh matter mass and yield of 'Vera' lettuce, and similar performance to that observed under screen shade with minimum soil tillage, for both planting dates evaluated. Cultivation in full sun, under no‑tillage, provides higher fresh matter mass and yield of 'Vera' lettuce during the dry season. Shoot dry matter mass of the Baba de Verão and Vera cultivars is higher in cultivation in greenhouse, followed by cultivation under screen shade

Risco para doenças cardiovasculares em universitários: 2. Fatores relacionados com diabetes mellitus / Risk for cardiovascular diseases in university students: 2. Factors related to diabetes mellitus

O diabetes mellitus tipo II (DM II) é uma doença crônica que representa um crescente problema de saúde pública. Para avaliar os fatores de risco para DM II em alunos universitários realizou-se um estudo quantitativo, observacional, transversal, com amostragem probabilística sobre fatores de risco, com aplicação de questionário e realização de medidas antropométricas, pressóricas e sanguíneas. A amostra foi constituída de 353 alunos, que foram avaliados ou investigados em relação aos parâmetros: peso, altura, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), circunferência abdominal, pressão arterial, glicemia capilar, colesterol total capilar, histórico para diabetes, estilo de vida e hábitos alimentares. A população baixa proporção de indivíduos com DM (0,8%). Verificou-se que 15% dos alunos apresentavam sobrepeso e 12,1% eram obesos; a circunferência abdominal elevada foi verificada em 56,3% dos alunos. O sedentarismo foi verificado em 75 % dos alunos. A prevalência de fatores de riscos para diabetes foi alta

Risco para doenças cardiovasculares em universitários: 1. Fatores relacionados com hipertensão arterial sistêmica / Risk for cardiovascular disease in college students: 1. Factors related to systemic arterial hypertension

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de fatores de risco para hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) em alunos universitários. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, observacional, transversal com amostragem probabilística de alunos regularmente matriculados na Universidade de Pernambuco Campus Petrolina. Foram coletados dados da pressão arterial, colesterol, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e circunferência abdominal. Foi aplicado questionário para avaliação de fatores de risco relacionados com o grau de atividade física, hábitos de vida e alimentares e hereditariedade para HAS. Os dados foram avaliados com uso do Microsoft Excel e do BioEstat 5.3 para descrição da população e análise estatística. IMC e níveis pressóricos foram mais elevados em indivíduos do sexo masculino, enquanto taxa de sedentarismo e  valores de glicemia, colesterol e circunferência abdominal foram altos em indivíduos do sexo feminino. Os indivíduos da população estudada apresentaram pelo menos um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de HAS

Produtividade de almeirão orgânico produzido com substratos alternativos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar substratos alternativos na qualidade de mudas e produtividade do almeirão em cultivo orgânico. O experimento foi conduzido em duas fases: em viveiro e em campo, em junho de 2016. O campo experimental está localizado no Sítio Ecológico Seridó, em Rio Branco, Acre. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pelo substrato comercial Golden® utilizado como controle e por mais quatro substratos alternativos. Os substratos alternativos foram compostos por: terra (30%), composto orgânico (30%); condicionador de solo (30%), carvão (10%), termofosfato natural (1,5 kg m-3), calcário dolomítico (1,0 kg m-3) e sulfato de potássio (1,0 kg m-3), o que os diferenciaram foi a substituição do condicionador: casca de arroz carbonizada; fibra de coco; fibra do caule da palmeira ouricurí (Attalea phalerata) ou caule decomposto de sumaúma (Ceiba pentandra). A cultivar utilizada foi almeirão pão de açúcar. Aos 22 dias após a semeadura as mudas foram avaliadas para a obtenção do índice de qualidade e aos 60 dias após o transplantio a campo avaliou-se a massa fresca total, comercial, seca total, comercial e a produtividade total e comercial. Os substratos contendo sumaúma e fibra de coco tiveram melhor desempenho para massa seca da raiz e índice de qualidade de Dickson na fase de muda, massa fresca total, massa seca total e comercial e produtividade total à campo