RESUMO-A produtividade de milho é limitada no estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), principalmente pela deficiência hídrica. Este estudo objetivou identificar a lâmina suplementar de irrigação e avaliar sua resposta em produtividade para três municípios do RS em diferentes datas de semeadura. Foram usados dados meteorológicos de uma série de 21 anos (1992-2012), dados de solo dos três locais e informações agronômicas da cultura do milho. Foi usado o modelo WinISAREG para simular a demanda hídrica. Com o uso de uma função de produção, foram simuladas as produtividades para cada cenário estudado. Os resultados mostraram que, independente dos locais, a época de semeadura de 15/10 aumentou a produtividade, com evapotranspiração máxima (ETm) de 706 mm, enquanto a semeadura em 15/12 apresentou o menor consumo: 561mm. As lâminas de irrigação suplementar necessárias para repor 100% da ETm, buscando a obtenção da produtividade potencial da cultura, estabelecida em 12.000 kg ha-1 , variaram entre 508 e 338 mm para Uruguaiana, 435 e 314 mm para Bagé e 417 e 264 mm para Santa Maria, em função das datas de semeadura adotadas. Sem irrigação, a expectativa de produtividade estimada foi de 2.897 kg ha-1 para Bagé, 3.844 kg ha-1 para Santa Maria e 2.373 kg ha-1 para Uruguaiana. Os resultados indicaram que a irrigação é uma prática que pode contribuir para obtenção de maiores índices de produtividade na região estudada e mostraram que o modelo usado auxilia a tomada de decisão quanto à viabilidade de investimentos em sistemas de irrigação para o cultivo de milho no estado do RS. Palavras-chave: necessidade hídrica; déficit hídrico; simulação; Zea mays L., WinIsareg.

Este artigo tem como objetivo principal alinhar o Modelo de Excelência em Gestão (M.E.G.) através dos oito critérios da Fundação Nacional da Qualidade (F.N.Q.), e com o Modelo de Excelência em Inovação (M.E.I.) a partir das oito dimensões do chamado Octógono da Inovação. Foi realizado uma revisão bibliográfica acerca dos modelos de gestão, do M.E.G. e do M.E.I.. A metodologia utilizada é de pesquisa qualitativa e caracterizado como exploratório, descritivo e explicativo, como geralmente ocorre nas pesquisas com ênfase na qualidade. Foi realizado primeiramente um comparativo descrito dos critérios e dimensão da M.E.G. e M.E.I., e após foi estabelecida uma compatibilização dos modelos apontando os pontos de relação mais fortes e fracos para uma futura integração dos modelos e mostrar como os pontos comuns que se referem dentro de seus critérios e dimensões.

This study aims to evaluate the growth and development of sugarcane under different supplemental irrigation depths. Irrigation treatments were 0.30, 0.60, 0.90 and 1.2 rate of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and the control (no irrigation). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with six replications. The highest yield was ratoon cane with 190 t ha -1 in the treatment 0.6 of ETc. The difference between the highest and lowest yield were 11 and 7% in plant cane and ratoon cane, respectively. The rate of maximum technical efficiency of yield was 0.78 of ETc. Irrigation water productivity and water productivity was obtained in 35.8 to 146.0 kg m -3 and 18.0 to 70.9 kg m -3 , respectively. The total mass and the dry mass showed increase of 20 and 25% in ratoon cane, respectively. The plant height showed no difference between treatments. The highest: number of tillers, leaf area and number of green leaves was treatment 1.2 of ETc. The deficit and excess moisture affect plant development, plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, number of tillers per meter, full mass and dry mass, affects the yield of sugarcane.

The studies on management and use of water resources has been one focus of several research, they are looking for alternatives to the use of natural resources and sustainability. The study aimed to planning, execution and estimate the economic return of the use of rainwater for washing vehicles, agricultural machinery and implements. The study was conducted for the sector of mechanization of the Polytechnic School of the Federal University of Santa Maria, from March 2011 to February 2013. The roof of agricultural mechanization sector has a catchment area of 215.45 m2 . Five tanks of 7000 liters each were installed. The underground water consumption was reduced by 100%. It was used 458,120.25 liters of water from rainy and intended for the proposed activities. The reservoirs were the largest investment, accounting for 63%, followed by washing 27% and 10% of total costs. A total savings of R $ 2009.66 was obtained and monthly R $ 83.74 depending on the costs of water. The system of rainwater harvesting is an alternative to reduce the consumption of water from other sources.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of supplemental irrigation levels on vegetative parameters of bell pepper grown in open field and under shade mesh. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications and ten treatments in factorial scheme (four irrigation levels combined with shade). Irrigation treatments consisted in 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 rate of crop evapotranspiration and the control (no-irrigation).Shading treatment was of 50% reduction of the photosynthetically active radiation compared to open field conditions. Vegetative parameters were influenced by irrigation. The growth rate of plants present no significant difference. The growth rate of stem diameter present difference, being treatments 0.50 and 0.75 the highest.Significant interaction was present in the rate of chlorophyll, dry matter, leaf area index and number of leaves per plant. Plots under shade mesh showed the highest growth rate in plant height and stem diameter and leaf area index, number of leaves per plant, dry matter and lower chlorophyll index. As irrigation strategy, considering the water use efficient and vegetative characteristics of bell pepper, the most favorable irrigation levels were 0.5 and 0.75 of ETc, under shade and in open field, respectively, without affecting the vegetative parameters and yield.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different irrigation depths and harvest dates in sweet potato for conversion to biofuels. Irrigation treatments were 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 of crop evapotranspiration rates and a control treatment (without irrigation). Harvest dates were: 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 days after planting (DAP). The sweet potato cultivar BRS Cuia (RNC-27.315) was utilized. The experimental design was a randomized block in factorial arrangement (irrigation depths combined with harvest dates) with four replications. Reference crop evaporation was calculated based on the method of FAO Penman-Monteith. Drip irrigation system was used and irrigation frequency was every seven days. The highest and lowest yield were at 90 and 210 DAP, respectively. The lowest yield variation was between 120 and 150 DAP. Control treatment had highest yield in all harvest dates. Efficient water use was greater with irrigation of 0.25 of ETc with 116.9 and 218.8 m 3 ha at 90 and 210 DAP, respectively. Starch content, crude protein, length and diameter of the root, and yield were influenced by different irrigation depths and harvest dates.