February 2015
Soil carbon dioxide flux in a no-tillage winter system
Soil carbon dioxide flux is a complex process which depends on variations of different factors related to climate and soil. The objective of this study was identifying the abiotic factors that most contributed to this flux during different phonologic stages of the sequence black oat-vetch, cultivated under the no tillage system, in the winter, and find out the most important factors. Soil carbon fluxes were measured...
February 2015
Nitrogen and potassium fertilizer influenced nutrient use efficiency and biomass yield of two plantain (Musa spp. AAB) genotypes
Nitrogen and potassium are key nutrients for optimum productivity in Musa species. In this study, optimum doses of N and K were determined for two plantain genotypes. The growth and dry matter yield (DMY) of ‘PITA 24’ (a hybrid plantain of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) and a landrace, ‘Agbagba’ were evaluated on factorial doses of N (0, 200, 400 and 600 kg.ha-1) and K2O (0,...
February 2015
Treatment and post-treatment effects of neem leaves extracts on Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
The diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella Linnaeus, 1758 (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is improperly controlled with synthetic insecticides in vegetable crops. This practice, which pollutes the environment, led to human and animal health problems, and P. xylostella resistance. Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is reported in the literature as a natural alternative to synthetic insecticides in the control of many insect...
February 2015
Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho1*, Salatiér Buzetti1, Cássia Maria de Paula Garcia1, Cleiton Gredson Sabin Benett2, Katiane Santiago Silva Benett3, Marcelo Andreotti1 and Fernando Shintate Galindo1
Productivity and longevity of sugarcane plantations may currently be affected by the expanded cultivation activities in low fertility areas, which can result in micronutrient deficiencies. Zinc is important in this regard because its deficiency in sugarcane can cause reduced tillering, shorter internodes and thinner stalks. Therefore, the agronomic performance of sugarcane was evaluated (plant-sugarcane and...
February 2015
Studies on direct selection parameters for seed yield and its component traits in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]
Twenty three pigeonpea genotypes were evaluated in a randomized block design during Kharif 2012-13. The aim of this research was to estimate genetic variability utilizing various quantitative traits for overall improvement in pigeonpea crop. Results showed that sufficient amount of variability was present in entire gene pool for all the characters. Based on mean performance for yield along with some of the component...
February 2015
First report in Southern Brazil of Alternaria alternata causing Alternaria leaf spot in alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Alfafa plants with symptoms of Alternaria leaf spot from the Atlantic forest biome and Pampa biome, Brazil, were collected to identify the pathogen associated in this disease. The pathogen was isolated, analyzed morphologically according to literature and later molecularly identified. After that, pathogenicity tests were conducted in a greenhouse to confirm the Koch’s postulates. The first symptoms occurred after...
February 2015
Effect of temperature and pre-germination treatments on seed germination of juerana branca (Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum)
Aiming to define simple and effective methods to accelerate and standardize the germination of juerana branca (Stryphnodendron pulcherrimum) (white juerana), seeds of this species were subjected to four types of pre-germination treatments, testing at temperatures of 25 and 30°C. The treatments were: immersion in sulfuric acid for 15 min, immersion in water at 80°C for 5 min, immersion in water at 80°C for 10...
February 2015
Anti-nutritional compounds in fresh and dried lychee fractions (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)
The present study evaluated the anti-nutritional factors of “Bengal” lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.), in the fresh pulp, peel and seed, both fresh and processed. The samples were analyzed for the levels of phenolic compounds, nitrate, oxalic acid and inhibitory activities of trypsin, lipase and α-amylase. Drying influenced the activity of all enzyme inhibitors, resulting in a reduction in the...
February 2015
Seed quality of three soybean varieties as influenced by intercropping time and arrangement in maize
The response of soybean varieties J499, SCS-1 and La suprema, with different growth habits, to intercropping conditions when grown in association with maize H614D was evaluated in a study at Bukura Agricultural College (0° 06'' N; 34° 50'' E), Kenya. The soybean was sown either at the same time as maize or two weeks later in pure stands or intercropped with maize either in the same hill or in...
February 2015
Phenological and quantitative plant development changes in soybean cultivars caused by sowing date and their relation to yield
The study of soybean (Glycine max) biometry and phenology can detect characteristics that interfere with yield, and quantitative plant development may vary according to the interaction between the genotype and the environment, and in different phenological development stages of the plant. This study evaluated the quantitative changes and phenological development caused by sowing date and their relation to grain yield of...
February 2015
Experimental analysis of air flow patterns in perfomance of flat plate solar collectors
Solar drying is one of the promising methods of reducing post-harvest losses in rural areas. Studies have shown that, heat transfer mechanisms in a solar collector influences the performance of solar dryers. This study aims at improving heat transfer in flat plate solar collectors by designing different air flow patterns inside the collector. Three flat plate solar collectors were constructed by using Pterocarpus timber...
February 2015
Physical and chemical parameters, total phenols and the antioxidant activity of Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb)
Pequi is a Brazilian cerrado fruit with nutritive and sensory characteristics and good taste and is used in numerous typical dishes. The purpose of this study was to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics, total phenols and the antioxidant activity and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) of pequi pulp, mesocarp and peel. Physical and chemical analyses such as antioxidants and phenolic compounds...
February 2015
Estimation of annual yield and quality of “Valência†orange related to monthly water deficiencies
The State of São Paulo, Brazil is the major orange producer in the world. The “Valência” orange is one of the most important cultivars for industry with a high efficiency of processed juice. Climate is the main factor of influence for citrus yield and quality and its study is fundamental for understanding the climatic requirements of the crop. The estimation of yield and quality by...
February 2015
Irrigation water pricing in Awash River Basin of Ethiopia: Evaluation of its impact on scheme-level irrigation performances and willingness to pay
Irrigation water pricing has been considered as a tool to enhance water conservation in irrigated agriculture. We have evaluated the effects of water pricing on water management practices in Awash Basin Authority (ABA). The water charge has been collected over years with the aim to generate money for the Awash Basin Authority to cover operational expenses. Both the authority and water users see the charges paid as the...
February 2015
Monitoring of outcrops waters quality in the watershed UBÃ creek
This study aimed to monitor the effects of anthropic action on outcrops waters quality located in the Ubá city - Brazil. For this study, ten outcrops waters had their physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics monitored throughout the year 2013, for five times. The results showed that there was a great environmental degradation and only 30% of outcrops waters monitored presented adequate fresh...
February 2015
Growth, yield and quality responses to plant spacing in potato (Solanum tuberosum) varieties
A field experiment was conducted from November to March during the 2012 / 2013 planting season at Africa University farm, Mutare, Zimbabwe to evaluate the effects of plant spacing and different potato varieties on growth, yield and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design with 4 × 3 factorial arrangements of treatments. The first factor was plant...
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