The objective of this study was to evaluate Cynodon species 'Tifton 85' at different hay production phases (harvest, baling, and storage) and different (N) rates. Dehydration of the first crop was carried out in the field, while the second crop was in the shed. Dry matter and protein content increased linearly with the N rates. Dehydration in the shed was not effective for hay production, since dry matter did not reach the desired level of 850 g kg -1. During the hay production period (harvest, baling, and storage), the content of acid detergent fiber of the first crop and the second crop increased by 25.32 and 7.38%, respectively, and that of lignin increased by 21.33 and 32.27%, respectively. Forage digestibility decreased by 4.55%, when dehydration occurred in the field, whereas it decreased by 14.68% when dehydration occurred in the shed, a difference higher than 300% due to the loss of soluble carbohydrates. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that forage dehydration for hay production needs to be carried out in the field under appropriate environmental conditions to prevent nutritional losses. Additionally, dry matter of Tifton 85 increased by 20.40% and protein content increased by 18.65%, which equals 514.27 kg of soybean meal at 100 kg ha -1 of N.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, biometric and productivity of beet cultivars. The experiment was conducted in random blocks with four repetition. The treatments were six beet cultivars: Maravilha, Merlot, Kestrel, Itapuã 202, Chata do Egito and Tall Top Early Wonder. These cultivars were evaluated for plant height, leaf number, diameter and length of root, average mass of root and fresh weight of shoot, the root shape index, productivity, the soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio, pH and anthocyanin content. The highest average root masses and productivity were observed for the cultivars Maravilha e Tall Top Early Wonder, being similar to Itapuã 202 cultivars and the Boring Egypt. For quality characteristics there was no difference between cultivars for the soluble solids and pH, this was not the same behavior for titratable acidity and ratio. The highest anthocyanin content were observed in cultivars Merlot, Kestrel and Chata do Egito. The cultivars Chata do Egito presented the best productivity and quality characteristics, for the factors and elements of the elapsed year climate.

A produção de hortaliças tem como característica marcante seu caráter intensivo, ou seja, explora de maneira excessiva o solo, mão de obra e insumos. Nesse tipo de cultivo a maioria das plantas apresenta ciclo rápido, deixando o solo descoberto, sobretudo durante o preparo, plantio e início do desenvolvimento da cultura. É uma atividade que degrada intensamente os solos, devido ao uso demasiado de arações e gradagens para o preparo da área a ser cultivada. De acordo com Nascimento Junior et al. (2005) essas operações potencializam a perda de solo, água e nutrientes por erosão, além de promoverem uma maior compactação do solo, devido principalmente à baixa quantidade de matéria orgânica desse solo e intensa movimentação de pessoas e máquinas. Alternativamente ao sistema de plantio convencional tem-se desenvolvido o sistema de plantio direto de hortaliças (SPDH).O SPDH objetiva "construir um caminho para o desenvolvimento sustentável" (EPAGRI, 2004). Trata-se de um conjunto de ações que visam evitar o revolvimento do solo e que utiliza técni-cas como plantas de cobertura e rotação de culturas (Ribeiro et al., 2001 RESUMOO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência das plantas de cobertura sobre dois sistemas de produção (plantio convencional e plantio direto) nas características produtivas, físicas e químicas da abóbora 'Mini-Jack'. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, em Marechal Cândido Rondon-PR. O delineamento experimental adotado foi de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constaram de cinco espécies de plantas de coberturas de solo (Lolium multiflorum, Vicia sativa, Avena strigosa, Raphanus sativus e uma mistura das espécies) e dois sistemas de manejo de solo (plantio direto na palha e preparo convencional). Após a condução da cultura, os frutos foram avaliados quanto aos diâmetros transversal e longitudinal, espessura da polpa, número de frutos por planta, número de frutos total, massa média de um fruto e massa média por planta. Foram determinados pH, acidez titulável e teor de sólidos solúveis dos frutos, além da produtividade. O azevém foi a espécie que produziu maior quantidade de massa seca. A ervilhaca aumenta a produtividade, enquanto que o nabo proporciona aumento da espessura e do teor de sólidos solúveis da abóbora 'Mini-Jack'. O sistema de plantio direto utilizado não afetou a maioria das características agronômicas da abóbora 'Mini--Jack'. Sendo assim, este sistema pode ser adotado para essa cultura. Palavras-chave:Curcubita pepo, coberturas de solo, sistema de plantio direto, sistema de plantio convencional. ABSTRACT Productivity and quality characteristics of mini pumpkin in two cropping systemsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of cover crops on two production systems (conventional tillage and notillage), concerning yield, besides the physical and chemical characteristics of 'Mini-Jack' pumpkin. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, in Marechal Când...

Some winter crops sown in no-tillage system can represent an important alternative to nutrient cycling. The objective of this work was to evaluate the production of dry matter (DM) and accumulation of nutrients for winter cultivation in the West of Paraná. The experimental design was a randomized block, with four treatments and six replications. The treatments were represented by four different winter crops (oat IPR 126, crambe FMS Brilhante, radish common cultivar and wheat BRS Taruma), and the DM, the contents of C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and C/N ratio in DM and nutrients accumulation were determied The dry matter production was higher for radish with 4.929,14 kg ha -1 . The different winter crops used influenced the contents of C, N and C/N ratio. The other studied characteristics were not influenced. Among the four winter cultivation the radish presented larger production of dry matter. The chemical composition was influenced by the cultivations, the contents of C, N and C/N ratio, consequently in the contribution differentiated in the area. The winter cultivation in the studied conditions influences the accumulation of magnesium.

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