Abstract The cambucizeiro (Campomanesia phaea), belonging to the Myrtaceae family, is a native plant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The description of the characteristics of the cambucizeiro fruits is important to support new genetic improvement works and its commercial exploitation, especially regarding the processing of the fruit. The present work aimed to perform the morphological and chemical characterization of the cambucizeiro fruits. Fifty-eight accessions, from different locations in the Atlantic Forest and Serra do Mar in the state of São Paulo, were collected, propagated by seeds and one specimen of each accessory is at the Seedling Production Center in São Bento do Sapucaí (SP). Forty fruits from each access were collected in May and submitted to the following analyses: longitudinal and transversal diameter, total fruit fresh mass, number and mass of seeds, total soluble solids, % citric acid, ratio, firmness, vitamin C and coloration. Fruit conformation varies intensely among accessions. The number of seeds is not a good indicator for the relation with the fruit mass, but the mass of one thousand seeds. Some accessions have high soluble solids content, but, on the other hand, the vast majority have fruits with high acidity. Cambuci is an excellent source of vitamin C. The fruits of the accessions are green in color, persisting an opaque shade when ripe.

Abstract The use of saline water in agriculture is a viable alternative, considering the increased demand for fresh water. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and phytomass production of sugar beet under irrigation with water of different saline concentrations in a field experiment on the campus of the Federal University of Alagoas in Arapiraca. The treatments were five levels of electrical conductivity (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 dS m -1 ). The design was in randomized blocks, with four repetitions. The maximum yield of sugar beet at 27 days after the application of saline treatments was obtained with a salinity of 3.0 dS m -1 , for the variables plant height (PA), stem diameter (CD), root length (RC), aboveground dry phytomass (FSPA) and total dry phytomass (FST). At 42 days after the application of saline treatments, the variables aboveground fresh phytomass (FFPA), root fresh phytomass (FFR), total fresh phytomass (FFT), aboveground dry phytomass (FSPA) and total dry phytomass (FST) increased with increasing water salinity. Rain may have influenced the results obtained for the evaluations, performed at 42 days after the application of the saline treatments.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of potassium concentrations applied via fertigation on the growth, yield and chemical composition of eggplant ‘Ciça’ in a distroferric red Latosol. The treatments were composed of five concentrations of K 2 O (0, 36, 72, 108 and 144 kg ha -1  supplied via fertigation), using potassium chloride as a source, divided into six applications. The irrigation system was of the drip type and irrigation management was done via a “Class A” evaporometer tank. Harvest started at 62 days after transplanting (DAT) and lasted for five months. The variables evaluated were: plant height, number of leaves, fresh fruit mass, number of fruits per plant, yield per plant, productivity and classification of the fruits according to their length and diameter. At 85 DAT, fruit were collected for characterization as to the percentage of lipids, proteins and fibers. Although the potassium fertigation in cover provided a reduction in the production and productivity, the concentrations of 36 kg ha -1  and 72 kg ha -1  of K 2 O applied via fertigation, increased the physical-chemical characteristics of the fruits.

Abstract The market demand for uniformity and productivity of commercial carrot roots has prioritized hybrid materials over open-pollinated varieties. In this sense, the objective of this work was to estimate the combining ability of carrot genitors for root productivity and resistance to leaf scorch. The experiments were conducted in Gama, DF, in the agricultural years 2012/13 and 2013/14. We evaluated 33 carrot hybrids, originated from crosses between three male-sterile populations, with 11 male-fertile S2 lines, all the genitors being of tropical origin. At 90 days after sowing, the severity of the leaf blight disease was estimated in the plots. At 100 days after sowing, harvesting was performed and root yield characters were evaluated. Analysis of variance and partial diallel analysis were performed for each year and jointly for both years. It was found that additive and non-additive genes are important in the manifestation of root yield and leaf blight resistance traits in carrot hybrids. The male-sterile parents with higher overall combining ability for root productivity are strains LM-649 and LM-650 and, among the male-fertile, strain LM-555-2-2. The best hybrids for root yield and leaf blight resistance are LM-649 × LM-555-11-1, LM-650 × LM-555-7-1 and LM-650 × LM-554-8-1.

Abstract Cucumber Variety ‘Drite L108’ ( Cucumis sativus  L. Cv. Derit L108) was selected as the test material. In the solar greenhouse, different days (1, 3, 5, 7, 9 d) of light (PAR < 200 µmol·m -2 ·s -1 ) and normal light conditions were designed with shading nets to observe the growth indexes of cucumber plants and the changes of antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves. The results showed that: (1) continuous low light increased the SPAD (relative chlorophyll) value of cucumber leaves and decreased the net photosynthetic rate. The longer the continuous low light days are, the smaller the net photosynthetic rate of cucumber leaves and the worse the photosynthetic recovery ability would be. (2) The plant height, stem diameter and leaf area per plant were lower than CK, and the above indexes could not return to the normal level after 9 days of normal light recovery; the yield and marketability of cucumber fruit decreased under continuous low illumination. (3) The activities of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and POD (peroxidase) in cucumber leaves increased, the activities of CAT (catalase) first increased and then decreased, and the content of MDA (malondialdehyde) continued to increase. The longer the days of continuous light keep, the more seriously the cucumber leaves were damaged by membrane lipid peroxidation. After continuous light for more than 7 days, the metabolic function of cucumber leaves was difficult to recover to the normal level.

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the combined effect of bovine manure, Pseudomonas putida and Trichoderma aureoviride on the development of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ). The promotion of plant growth by microorganisms may be a viable and sustainable alternative for lettuce crop management. The experimental design was entirely randomized with five treatments: T0 (witness without fertilization, P. putida and T. aureoviride), TE (cattle manure), TEB (cattle manure + P. putida), TEF (cattle manure + T. aureoviride), TEFB (cattle manure + P. putida + T. aureoviride) and ten repetitions each. The following variables were analyzed: germination velocity index (GVI), first count (FC), germination percentage (GP), leaf area index and productivity. The TEFB treatment proved to be a viable alternative for the production of lettuce, especially for small producers, since all the vegetable production in the region comes from family farming.

Abstract This work aimed to evaluate the effects of using three different substrates in the semi-hydroponic culture of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa  L.) using two different nutrient solutions. A first trial was performed with a nutrient solution rich in macronutrients and micronutrients suitable for lettuce culture, and a second trial with a nutrient solution with pretreated wastewater from effluents of a cheese factory. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with three repetitions and three substrates were used: perlite, coconut fiber, and expanded clay, in both trials. The following parameters were observed: number of leaves, diameter of the cabbage, fresh and dry weight of the aerial part, chlorophyll index and mineral composition of the lettuce. For the first trial, the highest result for the number of leaves (20 leaves), fresh weight (142.0 g) and dry weight (7.2 g) of the aerial part was obtained in the plants growing on perlite. In the second trial, the highest result for the number of leaves (28 leaves), diameter of cabbage (26.7 cm), fresh weight (118.8 g) and dry weight (9.5 g) of the aerial part were achieved by the plants that were grown in coconut fiber. The nutrient solutions were analyzed after each irrigation cycle to verify the possibility of their discharge into the environment. Several parameters were analyzed: pH, conductivity, redox potential, nitrates, nitrites, ammoniacal nitrogen, chlorides, hardness, calcium, phosphates, sodium, potassium, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and magnesium. Ammoniacal nitrogen was found to be the only nutrient that can limits the discharge of nutrient solutions into the environment. It was also proven that the plants, besides obtaining the nutrients necessary for their development in the semi-hydroponic system with the nutrient solution with pre-treated residual water, also functioned as a purification system, allowing the said nutrient solution to be discharged into the environment at the end of each cycle.

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increase the uptake of soluble phosphates, while phosphorus solubilizing fungi (S) promote the solubilization of insoluble phosphate complexes, together benefiting plant nutrition. The use of these organisms in combination with minerals or rocks that provide nutrients is another alternative to maintain crop productivity. The objective of this work was to combine AMF and S with pyroclastic materials (ashes and pumicites) from the Puyehue volcano and phosphoric rocks (PR) from the Río Chico Group (Chubut) and to evaluate the performance of these mixtures as substrates for potted production of Lactuca sativa . To formulate the substrates, a mixture of Ter-rafertil® with ashes was used as a base. Penicillium thomii  was the S and spores of the fungus Rhizophagus intraradices  (AEGIS® Irriga) served as the source of AMF. Various combinations of microorganisms and the addition or not of RP were evaluated. The treatments were: (1) substrate; (2) substrate + AMF; (3) substrate + S; (4) substrate + AMF + S; (5) substrate: PR; (6) substrate: PR + AMF; (7) substrate: PR + S, and (8) substrate: PR + AMF + S. There were 3 replicates per treatment. The parameters evaluated were total and assimilable P content in the substrate, P in plant tissue and dry biomass. All of them were significantly higher in the plants grown in the substrate added with PR and inoculated with S and AMF. This work confirms that the S/AMF combination with volcanic ashes from Puyehue and PR from Grupo Río Chico formulated with a commercial substrate promote the growth of L. sativa. Thus, it is possible to increase the added value of geomaterials of national origin.

Abstract The analysis of the accumulation and export of nutrients by the cowpea crop is fundamental for a more sustainable fertilization program, because the definition of the doses of organic fertilizers based only on the estimated maximum yield does not guarantee the maintenance of soil fertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fertilization with chicken manure on the productivity, accumulation and exportation of nutrients by the pods of cowpea. A randomized block design was used, with five doses of chicken manure (0; 5; 10; 20 and 40 t ha -1 ) and four repetitions. The highest levels of P and Mg were found in the leaves with the application of 40 t ha -1  of manure. The maximum pod length was 14.47 cm, estimated with the dose of 33.33 t ha -1  of manure. The highest values of diameter, number of pods per plant and pod productivity were observed at the highest dose of manure applied. In relative terms, that is, total exported in relation to the total extracted by the aerial part, phosphorus is the nutrient most exported by the pods, on average 58%, followed by N (55%), K (43%), Mg (40%), S (38%) and Ca (17%). At the highest dose, although Ca accumulation occurred in large quantities (31.3 kg ha -1 ), only 13% of it was exported by the pods. Fertilizing cowpea with chicken manure supplied essential nutrients and increased pod yield from 7.2 (no fertilization) to 16.3 t ha -1  (fertilization with 40 t ha -1  of chicken manure). The plant remains of the cowpea constitute an important source of nutrients, being obtained at the highest dose of manure applied (40 t ha -1 ) the following amounts of macronutrients (kg ha -1 ): N (51.4); P (5.1); K (27.6); Ca (27.1); Mg (8.2); S (5.1), which may return to the soil, with the incorporation of the plants.

Abstract Studies related to the use of steel mill slag have become essential, because of the possibility of its use as a component of substrates in the production of seedlings and because this use minimizes the risk of environmental contamination, resulting from inadequate disposal. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of steel slag in substrates composed of soil with tanned bovine manure and sand, on the growth variables and the quality of “Dedo-de-moça” pepper ( Capsicum baccatum  L.) seedlings. A randomized block design was used with five slag concentrations (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20%) and four repetitions. Evaluations occurred at 55 days after sowing, consisting of counting the number of leaves, measuring plant height and collar diameter, quantifying the dry mass of leaves and roots and determining the Dickson Quality Index. Regression models were fitted (P < 0.05) to treatments with increasing levels of steel slag. The addition around 10% of slag to the substrate provided the highest values of growth variables, in seedlings of Dedo-de-moça pepper.

Abstract The use of bioproducts, economically viable, are of extreme importance in the protection and stimulation of germination in vegetable crops. This work evaluated the effect of the microorganisms Azospirillum brasiliense, Bacillus sub-tilis , Trichoderma harzianum  and the commercial seed treatment product (Fipronil + Pilaclostrobin and Methyl Thiophanate) on seeds and seedlings of lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ), carrot ( Daucus carota ) and tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ). The seeds were inoculated before being submitted to the germination test. The chemical treatment proved ineffective in protecting the seed of all crops and stimulating germination. T. harzianum  increased the germination index of lettuce seeds, had better values in root system size in tomato crop and stimulated radicle emission in carrot. B. subtilis  stood out in dry matter accumulation in tomato crop. The microorganisms B. subtilis  and T. harzianum  present potential for vegetable seed treatment.

Abstract In order to explore the preliminary effect of 1-MCP application at seedling stage on the growth effect and yield of open field cucumber, this experiment conducted cultivation experiments on three application periods (leaf spraying at one leaf stage, 2 days before planting, spraying after the third harvest), two treatment times (one treatment, two treatment), and two management methods (removing the first and second female flowers, and conventional management). The results showed that in the open field cucumber cultivation experiment, the application of 1-MCP at seedling stage could promote the growth of cucumber, and the T4 treatment was the best, and the second treatment was better than the first treatment; T4 (0.35 mL 1-MCP + treatment 2 days before colonization + after the third harvest + routine management) treatment scheme had the best effect.

Abstract Cucumis sativus  is an important vegetable crop in the world. Agrobacterium mediated transgenic technology is an important means to study plant gene function and variety improvement. In order to further accelerate the transgenic research and breeding process of cucumber, aiming at the Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformation method of cucumber, this paper expounds the research progress and existing problems of Agrobacterium mediated transgenic cucumber from the aspects of influencing factors of cucumber regeneration ability, genetic transformation conditions and various added substances in the process, and prospects the future of improving the efficiency of cucumber genetic transformation and the application of safety screening markers, in order to provide reference for cucumber stress resistance breeding and fruit quality improvement.