Guava decline is a complex disease resulting from the parasitism by Meloidogyne enterolobii (Me), which predisposes the plant to root rot caused by Fusarium sp. Three in vitro experiments were carried out with the aim of: (i) selecting the Fluensulfone dosage capable of causing Me mortality; (ii) verifying the effect of Fluensulfone on Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma harzianum; (iii) evaluating the effect of Pochonia chlamydosporia and Trichoderma harzianum in pure doses and in association with Fluensulfone on Me mortality. Fluensulfone at 2 L.ha-1 had no effect on fungi. The associated and pure doses of treatments had a significant effect on Me mortality. A field experiment was also carried out in a guava orchard where decline occurred. The following treatments were tested: Fluensulfone; P. chlamydosporia; P. chlamydosporia + Fluensulfone; T. harzianum; T. harzianum + Fluensulfone; Carbofuran, and control. All treatments reduced Me population, since relative efficiency was higher than 80%. Fluensulfone used alone or in combination with biological nematicides provided an increase in guava productivity. Maintaining Me population low in the field is an important option for increasing productivity and reducing the losses suffered by farmers.
Increased interest in yacon root consumption has led to the need of developing research on such a culture. Mineral nutrition is one of the important points to be investigated since information about this subject remains scarce for this species. Thus, understanding the role played by potassium in expanding yacon culture is of paramount importance, since this mineral plays key role in plants’ growth and development processes, mainly in plants accumulating reserves in underground organs due to their most varied functions in metabolite transport processes. Thus, the aim of the current study is to assess the development and yield of yacon roots subjected to different potassium fertilisation doses. The experiment has followed a completely randomized block design, with 4 repetitions and 5 treatments: 178.7 kg.ha-1, 357.4 kg.ha-1, 536.1 kg.ha-1 and 714.8 kg.ha-1 of potassium chloride (KCl), which corresponded to 50%, 100%, 150% and 200% of reference value; and one control (non-fertilized soil). Morphological, physiological, and productive features were assessed based on the applied doses. Results have shown that the application of 357.4 kg.ha-1 of KCl (100% dose) was the one presenting the best agronomic efficiency for yacon root culture. It was also the dose providing the greatest economic efficiency because it produced larger number of roots in the most valued classes available in the market
The already marked tendency for functional food consumption, low in calories, and with biologically active properties, has been increasing. In this scenario, yacon tuberous roots, with high levels of nutraceutical fructooligosaccharides, gain importance. However, these nutraceutical properties depend on fertilization management. Thus, our study aims to evaluate different doses of potassium fertilization on the physicochemical characteristics of yacon roots. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks, with 4 replications and 5 treatments: four doses of potassium fertilization (50%; 100%; 150%; 200%) of the reference value, corresponding to 178.7 kg.ha-1; 357.4 kg.ha-1; 536.1 kg.ha-1; 714.8 kg.ha-1 of potassium chloride – (KCl), and a control (soil without fertilization). The chemical features evaluated were pH, total titratable acidity, soluble solids, conductivity, turbidity, moisture and ashes. The texture profile was analyzed through toughness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, chewability index, elasticity, and gooeyness. Most of the variables were influenced by potassium soil fertilization. Only turbidity, conductivity and gumminess showed no response to the applied doses, not fitting the tested models. Potassium fertilization improved both chemical (higher levels of soluble solids and less acidity) and physical characteristics (less hardness, chewability, cohesiveness, and adhesion) of yacon tuberous roots, bringing greater quality to the final product. Highlights Yacon is considered a prebiotic food. Several immunostimulatory characteristics promote antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity. Potassium is associated with root size, shape, texture, color, flavor, acidity, nutrient transport resistance, nutritional value, and even market value. Texture constitutes an important factor and quality criterion for the sensory acceptance of food. Thus, the results obtained show that potassium fertilization improves both physical and chemical characteristics of yacon roots. The best results were observed with the maximum dose of potassium fertilization (357.4 kg.ha-1 of KCl).
Conducting studies that assist in the evaluation of agroecosystems is essential for advancing biodiverse and sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to assess the impact of intercropping on the photosynthetic activity of Arabica coffee plants. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Alegre, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Three coffee cropping systems were studied: Arabica coffee monoculture; Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana; and Arabica coffee intercropped with Nanicon variety banana and Juçara palm. The Arabica coffee variety used was Catuaí Vermelho IAC 44, planted in 1991, with a spacing of 3.0 m between rows and 2.0 m between holes, accommodating two plants per hole. In 2010, coffee trees underwent mid-height pruning (low-cutting pruning), and the Nanicon bananas were planted between rows with a spacing of 5.0 x 3.0 m. Three years later, palm seedlings were planted in the same rows as the banana plants, with a spacing of 5 x 3 m. Five experimental units were randomly selected for each cropping system. The evaluated variables included chlorophyll indexes (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and chlorophyll a/b ratio) and gas exchange parameters (net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration, intrinsic water use efficiency, instantaneous water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency). Regarding chlorophyll indexes, differences were observed only in chlorophyll b, with monoculture coffee displaying the highest values. In terms of gas exchange, intercropped coffee exhibited lower values of intrinsic and instantaneous water use efficiency, and higher values of stomatal conductance and transpiration. The highest net assimilation rate values were observed in coffee with banana intercropping, while the highest water use efficiency was found in coffee in monoculture. In summary, monoculture coffee showed the highest values for most of the variables related to photosynthetic activity, followed by Arabica coffee intercropped with banana, which stood out for achieving the highest net assimilation rate.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.