This study aimed to evaluate the performance of fungicides against wheat head blast (WHB) under various environments and to determine scenarios best suited for fungicide applications. Field experiments were conducted at 23 environments in Brazil and Bolivia from 2012 to 2015. Data from all trials within the same country were combined for estimating mean WHB control efficacy and yield benefits from using a set of fungicides. Experiments were classified, based on disease index in the check treatment, as having low (CDI = 10), moderate (CDI = 40), and high (CDI = 70) disease pressure and this variable was tested as a covariate in the model. In Brazil, greater disease reduction and yield increase, in trials with moderate to high disease pressure, were obtained when using mancozeb-based fungicides, but with yield gains below 1276 kg/ha. In Bolivia, all fungicides reduced the disease at moderate to high disease pressure, but specific QoI + DMI premixes led to higher yield gains averaging 1834 kg/ha. Based on the evidence provided, we concluded that current WHB chemical strategies could have radically different results depending on country and disease pressure. Although WHB chemical control can be effective even under environmental conditions that favor the disease, integrated management strategies should be explored. Our results are useful for aiding decisions on fungicide application and identifying priorities for future research.

Kobal, R, Nakamura, FY, Moraes, JE, Coelho, M, Kitamura, K, Cal Abad, CC, Pereira, LA, and Loturco, I. Physical performance of Brazilian rugby players from different age categories and competitive levels. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2433-2439, 2016-The aim of this study was to compare the anthropometric characteristics and physical capacities (vertical jumping, speed, agility, and endurance abilities) among different age categories of Brazilian rugby players from the same high-level club and to compare their respective data with those obtained from the national team players. Eighty-eight men Brazilian rugby players from 4 different age categories were divided into 4 different groups (i.e., under-15 [U-15], under-17 [U-17], under-19 [U-19], and professional senior team [PRO]) and a group composed of players from the Brazilian national team (NAT). Anthropometric measures (i.e., height and body mass), squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests , 2 agility tests (change of direction [COD] and proagility), 40-m sprinting, and the Yo-Yo endurance test (level 1) were compared among the groups using an analysis of covariance (multivariable multivariate analysis of covariance) with the body mass as a covariate. The NAT group demonstrated significantly greater performances in all variables compared with the U-15, U-17, U-19, and PRO groups (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the PRO group demonstrated better performances in vertical jumping assessments (i.e., SJs and CMJs) and agility tests (i.e., COD and proagility) than the younger categories (p ≤ 0.05). Finally, except for the U-15 group, no significant differences were found between the young age-categories in sprint and endurance capacities. These findings show that, throughout the maturation process, rugby players improve their muscle power and agility abilities without presenting significant increases in endurance and sprinting capacities. Importantly, this does not hold true for players from the NAT group, who presented superior performance in all assessed physical variables (in comparison with the younger age and PRO categories).

-The cultivar BRSMG Madrepérola, recommended for cultivation in Minas Gerais, has the feature of maintaining a light grain color for a longer period than other Carioca grain cultivars. The yield potential is high and the resistance level good to the major anthracnose races in the region.

-The objective of this work was to assess the effect of sowing date on the intensity of wheat blast disease, as well as the yield losses caused by this disease in different wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes. The experiments were conducted in 2013 at the Sertãozinho experimental station of Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (Epamig), in the municipality of Patos de Minas, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Fourteen wheat genotypes and two sowing dates were evaluated. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates. The evaluated variables were: incidence, severity, thousand grain weight (TGW), grain yield, and yield losses. A disease index (DI) was calculated, based both on the incidence and the severity of the disease, to measure blast intensity in wheat. The sowing date significantly affected DI, TGW, and grain yield. Significant linear correlations were observed between DI and yield losses (0.89), between losses and TGW (-0.85), and between losses and grain yield (-0.93). For wheat blast, DIs greater than or equal to 0.5 indicate potential yield losses equal to or greater than 70%. The EP063030 line and the MGS Brilhante and BRS 264 cultivars are the most tolerant to blast, when exposed to high disease pressure.Index terms: Magnaporthe oryzae, Pyricularia oryzae, Triticum aestivum, disease index, severity, tolerance. Época de semeadura reduz a incidência da brusone do trigoResumo -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da época de semeadura sobre a intensidade da brusone, bem como as perdas na produtividade causada por essa doença em genótipos de trigo (Triticum aestivum). Os experimentos foram conduzidos, em 2013, na Fazenda Experimental de Sertãozinho da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (Epamig), em Patos de Minas, MG. Catorze genótipos de trigo e duas datas de semeadura foram avaliados. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso com três repetições. As variáveis avaliadas foram: incidência, severidade, peso de mil grãos (PMG), rendimento de grãos e perdas de produtividade. Calculou-se o índice da doença (ID), com base tanto na incidência quanto na severidade, para medir a intensidade da brusone em trigo. A data de semeadura afetou significativamente ID, PMG e rendimento de grãos. Houve forte correlação linear entre ID e danos (0,89), entre danos e PMG (-0,85) e entre danos e rendimento (-0,93). Para a brusone do trigo, IDs iguais ou maiores que 0,5 indicam potencial de danos de rendimento iguais ou superiores a 70%. A linhagem EP063030 e as cultivares MGS Brilhante e BRS 264 são as mais tolerantes à brusone quando expostas à alta intensidade da doença.Termos para indexação: Magnaporthe oryzae, Pyricularia oryzae, Triticum aestivum, índice da doença, severidade, tolerância.

RESUMO-O sorgo sacarino surgiu como importante alternativa para a geração de biomassa na produção de etanol. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito do espaçamento entrelinhas e da população de plantas sobre a produção de sorgo sacarino em diferentes locais. Foram instalados dois experimentos, em duas localidades, Patos de Minas, MG e Sete Lagoas, MG, utilizando as cultivares BRS 505 e CMSXS 647, respectivamente. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 4 x 4, sendo quatro espaçamentos entrelinhas (0,5; 0,6; 0,7 e 0,8 m) e quatro populações de plantas (80.000; 100.000; 120.000 e 140.000 plantas ha-1). As características avaliadas na colheita foram: altura da planta; diâmetro do colmo; números de perfilhos e de folhas; massa fresca total, de folhas, de colmos e de panículas; massa de caldo; e Brix. O arranjo de plantas influencia o crescimento do sorgo sacarino, resultando em maiores produtividades de caldo em área cultivada com menores espaçamentos entrelinhas e maiores populações de plantas. A redução no espaçamento proporciona maiores incrementos na produção em comparação à elevação na população de plantas, além de aumentar o Brix no caldo.