The objective of this work was to identify sorghum lines tolerant to water stress at post-flowering. The treatments were set as a factorial arrangement, comprised of two water regimes and 25 genotypes, during the years of 2006, 2007 and 2008. The experimental design was a randomized block, with three replications. Since the combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the lines, among the environments and the presence of significant genotypes x environments interaction, two univariate stability estimates (Lin & Binns and Annicchiarico) and one multivariate (AMMI) were utilized for ranking the yield stability of the genotypes. Water stress decreases significantly the yield of the genotypes. The two univariate methods presented similar results, and were complementary to AMMI, allowing the selection of tolerant and responsive lines. Lines 9929020, CMSXS 230B and N 95B were drought tolerant and stable, followed by the lines BR 008B, Tx 2737 e Tx 2908 with high yield, but intermediate stability.

-The goal of this study is to characterize the weed phytosociology in some major erect and prostrate cowpea cultivars in Brazil, in the Northern growing conditions of Minas Gerais state. The test was conducted in Janaúba, Minas Gerais state. The treatments consisted in five erect cultivars (BRS Guariba, BRS Tumucumaque, BRS Novaera, BRS Itaim and BRS Cauamé) and four prostrate ones (BRS Marataoã, BRS Pajeú, BRS Pujante and BRS Xiquexique). The plots were composed of four five meter rows, spaced 0.5 m apart, for erect cultivars and 1.0 m for the prostrated ones. Weed sampling was performed 50 days after sowing by standard Square Method. The species were identified and quantified, and then dried at 65 o C for 72 hours and weighed. The frequency, absolute and relative density and abundance, the importance value index (IVI) and the similarity index were evaluated. In the erect cultivars, the Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae and Convolvulaceae families stood out with higher IVI's. In prostrate cultivars, the Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae and Malvaceae families stood out. Portulaca oleracea and Amaranthus spp. were the species with the highest IVI. The similarity index between erect and prostrate cultivars was 72%; nine of the 16 families occurred in both cultivars. BRS Tumucumaque, erect, and BRS Pujante, prostrate had lower weed infestation.Keywords: Vigna unguiculata, phytosociological, plant habit, weeds. RESUMO -Objetivou

Common bean variety improvement programs focus on productivity increase as their main goal. However, some characteristics related to technological quality must also be analyzed in order to assure that new recommended cultivars satisfy key commercial standards, related to consumer acceptance. This study evaluated the technological quality of seeds from different 'carioca' bean genotypes. We tested seeds from 25 bean genotypes, selected by the State Consortium for Research on Common Bean Improvement (including EMBRAPA, UFLA, UFV and EPAMIG) for the VCU assay of the carioca variety, including 21 new lines and 4 commercial cultivars, used as controls. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. We assessed the following traits: seed shape, seed constriction, 1000-seed weight, percentage of hard seeds, soluble solids content, cooking time, seed coat percentage, and hydration capacity. According to our results, the cultivars that met the commercial standards for seed shape and constriction were EMB14, CNFC 10432, CNFC 10408, EMB4, P-18163, Pérola and BRSMG Madrepérola. Genotypes MAIV-18259, VC-20, VC-23, RCII-219, CVIII-2, EMB4, MAIV-15204, CVIII-5, and BRSMG Majestoso had 1000-seed weight within carioca bean commercial standards (a minimum of 23g per 100 seeds). Most genotypes had no hard seeds. Lines CNFC 10408, MAIV-18259 and P-18163 had the highest soluble solids content. Twenty genotypes had cooking times below the maximum required by commercial standard, with lines EMB9, EMB4, MAIV-18524, CNFC 11965, VC-17, and CNFC 10432 having the shortest cooking time. Lines CNFC 11965, EMB4, EMB14, and CNFC 10432 also had the shortest time to soaking. Key words: Cooking. Soaking. VCU assay. Phaseolus vulgaris L. ResumoO aumento de produtividade é o principal objetivo dos programas de melhoramento de feijão-comum. Contudo, algumas características relacionadas à qualidade tecnológica devem ser analisadas para assegurar que a recomendação de novas cultivares considere também aspectos comerciais importantes

Cactus pear is adapted to semi-arid conditions. In this study, the objective was to evaluate the water use efficiency and green and dry mass yields of the cultivar Gigante under different fertilization rates and sources in three production cycles, spacing and planting arrangement. Seventy two treatments, involving two types of arrangements in the plots, three spacings in the subplots and 12 types of fertilization in the sub-subplots were arranged in a split-split-plot scheme, using randomized block design with three repetions. Dry mass content decreases while water use efficiency and green mass and dry mass yields increase from the first to the third cycle. It is feasible to use planting arrangements in triple or quadrupling rows which allow increasing the mechanization index of the crop. Organomineral fertilization with 30 or 60 Mg ha-1 year-1 of bovine manure combined with 150-300-600 kg ha-1 year-1 of N-P2O5-K2O and 300-300 kg ha-1 year-1 of P2O5-K2O, respectively; organic fertilization with 90 Mg ha-1 year-1 of manure; and mineral fertilization with 300-300-600 kg ha-1 year-1 of N-P2O5-K2O ensure green mass and dry mass yields greater than 200 and 15 Mg ha-1 cycle-1, respectively, and water use efficiency greater than 20 kg ha-1 mm-1 in ‘Gigante’ cactus pear. It is concluded that yields of this magnitude are ensured with application of about 300-300-300 kg ha-1 year-1 of N-P2O5-K2O using organic, organomineral or mineral sources.

ResumoObjetivou-se com esse trabalho avaliar as diferentes épocas de colheita sobre a qualidade fisiológica de sementes de crambe, cultivar FMS Brilhante. O experimento foi instalado na Área Experimental da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros -UNIMONTES, em Janaúba, MG, em 03 de setembro de 2011. A primeira colheita dos racemos foi realizada aos 14 dias após a floração, quando aproximadamente 50% das plantas apresentavam floração plena. As demais colheitas foram realizadas em intervalos de seis em seis dias, perfazendo um total de cinco colheitas. Foi determinado também o acúmulo de unidades térmicas, em graus dia, durante os intervalos de tempo. Os racemos colhidos foram levados ao Laboratório de Análise de Sementes da UNIMONTES, onde permaneceram sob condições ambientais até a realização das análises. As sementes foram avaliadas quanto ao teor de água, à germinação e ao vigor (matéria seca de sementes, massa de mil sementes, emergência de plântulas e índice de velocidade de emergência). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com cinco épocas de colheita, que consistiram nos tratamentos, e quatro repetições. As sementes de crambe apresentam dormência pós-colheita. O máximo acúmulo de matéria seca (maturidade fisiológica) ocorreu aos 26 dias após a floração. Conclui-se que a melhor época para realizar a colheita de sementes de crambe, cultivar FMS Brilhante, com maior qualidade fisiológica (máximo de germinação e vigor) ocorre no período de 14 a 26 dias após a floração, que representa uma soma térmica de 1111,1 a 1302,15 graus dia. Palavras-chave: Crambe Abssinica Hochst, germinação, maturidade fisiológica, vigor AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate different harvest seasons on the seed quality of crambe, cultivar FMS Brilhante. The experiment was carried out at Experimental area of the Montes Claros State University -UNIMONTES in Janaúba-MG, on September 3, 2011. The first raceme harvest was performed 14 days after flowering, when approximately 50% of the plants showed full flowering. The other harvests were performed every six days, making a total of five harvests. Accumulation of thermal units in degrees day during time intervals was also determined. The collected racemes were taken to the Laboratory of Seed Analysis at UNIMONTES, when they remained under ambient conditions until beginning the analyses. Seeds were evaluated as for water content, germination and vigor (dry

The optimum plot size for ‘Gigante’ cactus pear can be estimated by several methods; thus, ultimately aiming for efficiency, simple use and high precision, the objective of this study was to compare methods for estimating plot sizes: modified maximum curvature method, Hatheway’s convenient plot size method, linear and quadratic response plateau models, and comparison of variances method for evaluating phenotypic characteristics in experiments with ‘Gigante’ cactus pear. Plot sizes were estimated by conducting a uniformity trial. Estimated optimum plot sizes varied with the method and vegetative characteristic. The quadratic response plateau regression estimated the largest plot sizes, whereas Hatheway’s method estimated the smallest plot sizes. Comparison of variances method estimated intermediate plot sizes in comparison with the other methods for most measured characteristics. Plots sizes estimated by modified maximum curvature method are more consistent with results reported by studies on ‘Gigante’ cactus pear. 10 basic unit plot sizes estimated by the linear response plateau model can be used with high precision and practical feasibility for growing cactus pear, thereby improving the use of resources.

RESUMO -O Tifton 85 é uma forrageira de alto valor nutritivo, recomendada para pastejo, fenação e silagem, podendo ser considerada uma espécie daninha, principalmente em áreas de cultivos agrícolas e produção de sementes de outras forrageiras, devido a sua fácil propagação e seu rápido desenvolvimento. Este experimento foi proposto com o objetivo de avaliar a tolerância de plantas de Tifton 85 a doses crescentes de glyphosate em duas épocas diferentes. O experimento foi conduzido em vasos de polietileno com capacidade de 10 L, em delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2 x 8, sendo duas épocas de aplicação (inverno e verão) e oito doses de glyphosate (0, 270, 540, 1.080, 2.160, 3.240, 4.320 e 5.400 g ha), com quatro repetições. Para cada época de aplicação, o controle das plantas de Tifton 85 foi feito aos 15, 30 e 60 DAA (dias após aplicação). Obteve-se controle superior a 90% de Tifton 85 a partir de 2.636,72 g ha -1 de glyphosate em aplicação realizada no inverno e de 3.607,03 g ha -1 em aplicação no verão. Os resultados evidenciaram a alta tolerância do Tifton 85 ao glyphosate e o maior controle das plantas expostas a esse herbicida em épocas mais frias do ano (inverno), quando em comparação com as plantas expostas ao herbicida no verão.Palavras-chave: Cynodon spp., pastagem, planta daninha, forrageiras.ABSTRACT -Tifton 85 is a type of forage of high nutritive value, recommended for grazing or hay and silage production. It can be considered a weed, mainly in agricultural and forage seed production areas, probably due to its easy propagation and fast development. Thus, this experiment aimed to evaluate Tifton 85 tolerance to increasing levels of glyphosate during two different seasons. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized block design with four replications in a 2 x 8 factorial arrangement, and pulverization in two seasons (winter and summer) and eight glyphosate levels (0; 270; 540; 1,080; 2,160; 3,240; 4,320; and 5,400 g ha -1 ). The experiment was carried out in polyethylene pots with 10L capacity. For each season, control of the Tifton 85 plants was performed at 15, 30 and 60 DAA (days after application). Around 90% of Tifton 85 plant control was observed with 2,636.72 g ha -1 of glyphosate in the winter and 3,607.03 g ha -1 of glyphosate in the summer. The results obtained showed that Tifton 85 is highly tolerant to glyphosate and control is more efficient in the winter than in the summer.

-The objective of this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of elite-strains of cowpea cultivars under the conditions of the north of Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Fifteen elite-strains and five erect and semi-erect cultivars of cowpea were evaluated in the 2014 and 2015 summer-fall crop seasons in Janaúba MG. A randomized block experimental design was used with four replications. Plant size, lodging and value of cultivation, pod length and grain yield were evaluated. The data of the two crops were subjected to individual and joint analysis of variance. The genotype-crop interactions significantly affected all studied variables. The strains MNC04-792F-146 and MNC04-792F-144 stood out as the most productive genotypes in both crops. The cultivars BRS Itaim and BRS Novaera presented adequate size and lodging characteristics for cultivation, and values of cultivation that meet commercial standards, thus representing good alternatives for the genotypes cultivated in the north of Minas Gerais.Keywords: Vigna unguiculata. Value of cultivation. Yield. PERFORMANCE AGRONÔMICA DE GENÓTIPOS DE FEIJÃO-CAUPI ERETOS E SEMIERETOS NO NORTE DE MINAS GERAIS