No abstract

Passion fruit belongs to the Passifloraceae family and to the genus Passiflora, which is economically relevant. This genus is originated from Brazil, which has the greatest genetic diversity. The altitudinal gradient may influence the distribution of genetic variation in and between plant populations and genetic diversity may change according to the altitude. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity in passion fruit in different altitudes of Espírito Santo, using microsatellite markers (SSR) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR). Five matrixes plants of each species of Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener, P. edulis Sims and P. alata Curtis were studied at three altitudes (low, medium and high) in the state of Espírito Santo. For each sample, 13 microsatellite markers developed for Passiflora edulis and 14 ISSR primers were amplified according to the greatest number of polymorphic fragments and amplification quality. Low values of alleles were found (1-3), and low heterozygosity was expected and slight PIC values were found, while for the ISSR analysis a large number of bands per primer were detected and high polymorphism. The P. alata Curtis species was the most divergent to P. edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deg. and P. edulis Sims. The SSR and ISSR markers enabled us to indicate differences among the species, but they did not always show variation between and within similar species. The populations of low altitude are different from the others, independent of the species and the marker used. The habitat has a highly important influence on genetic diversity.

Among the fungi that cause damage and/or are spread by seeds, Aspergillus sp. and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum stand out, which have a worldwide distribution and a wide range of hosts. A viable and safer option than chemicals would be to use natural compounds for plant disease management. The objective of this study was to evaluate cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) essential oils in the in vitro control of fungi Aspergilus sp. and S. sclerotiorum. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2x4 + 2 factorial scheme [essential oils x concentrations + (fungicide + standard control)]. Cinnamon and citronella essential oils were used in doses of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mL L-1 (+Tween 80 to 1%) and the Captana (480 g L-1) and thiophanatemethyl + chlorothalonil (200.0 g kg-1 + 500.0 g kg-1) fungicides, at doses of 3 g L-1 and 2 g L-1 , for the fungi Aspergilus sp. and S. sclerotiorum, respectively. The products were diluted in potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium in Petri dishes, and mycelium discs with 5 mm diameter were placed and incubated in a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) incubator at 25 ± 1°C and photoperiod of 12 h. There was significant interaction between treatments. The dose of 1.6 mL L-1 of both oils showed greater inhibition of the mycelial growth of fungi Aspergilus sp. and S. sclerotiorum, and the greater inhibition of sporulation of the fungus Aspergilus sp. It is concluded that cinnamon and citronella essential oils control the fungi Aspergilus sp. and S. sclerotiorum.

Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum Cav. Syn Cyphomandra betacea Cav.) Sendt is a small tree native to the subtropical Andean region of South America from Colombia to Chile, popularly known as arboreal tomato, belonging to the family Solanaceae. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of fruits and the germination of tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) seeds produced in the Caparaó-ES and MG regions. The following procedures were performed: Fruit and peel biometrics; fruit weight; pulp and peel weight; thousand-seed weight, pulp and peel yield and fruit dry mass. In the physicochemical analysis, the following parameters were determined: pH; soluble solids; titratable acidity and ratio. For the analysis of the physiological quality of the seeds, different temperatures (20˚C; 25˚C; 30˚C and 20˚C -30˚C) were evaluated in the presence and absence of light and the following was determined: Seed moisture content; germination; germination speed index; germination mean time; shoot length; root and total seedling dry mass.Tamarillo in the region of Caparaó-ES presents greater chemical characteristics of the fruits, germination and vigor, and in the region of Caparaó-MG presents greater physical characteristics of the fruits. Tamarillo can germinate both in the presence and absence of light, although in the presence of light, it presents greater vigor.

Paclobutrazol (PBZ) is a plant growth regulator of the triazole group that can block the biosynthesis of gibberellic acid, resulting in reduced plant height and increased stem diameter. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different paclobutrazol concentrations on seedling quality of Passiflora mucronata Lam. Two Passiflora mucronata genotypes were used, one resistant (G5) and one tolerant (G7) to fusariosis, prepared as cuttings treated with PBZ. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement corresponding to two genotypes (G5 and G7) and four PBZ concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg plant-1), with three replications of four plants. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, regression analysis, and the F-test, followed by Pearson’s correlation test between variables. PBZ promoted an increase in the plagiotropic shoot diameter and the leaf area index of genotypes G5 and G7, in addition to increased shoot length in genotype G5 and increased number of leaves in genotype G7. PBZ also resulted in increased photosynthesis and stomatal conductance. There was a positive correlation for genotype G5, between the plagiotropic shoot diameter and the leaf transpiration rate, and for genotype G7, between the plagiotropic shoot diameter and the number of leaves. Genotypes G5 and G7 showed different phenotypic responses when subjected to PBZ doses, highlighting the intraspecific divergence of the species.

Seed quality is extremely important for the crop production system, and storage conditions are important to preserve this quality. The objective this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of yellow passion fruit seeds with different water contents placed in a cold chamber room (4°C) and in a natural laboratory environment (25 ± 2°C) for a period of eight months (240 days). Passion fruit seeds were harvested in orchards of the southern region of Espírito Santo, with water content adjusted to 10%; 14%; 18% and 22%, and placed in a cold chamber room and a natural laboratory environment. Germination, germination speed index, shoot and root length, fresh and dry mass of normal seedlings were evaluated. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two environments (cold chamber room and natural laboratory environment) and with a plot experimental arrangement subdivided according to time, with four replicates of 25 seeds within each environment. Yellow passion fruit seeds placed in a cold chamber room and natural environment with 14% of water content presented a higher physiological quality during eight months of storage. Yellow passion fruit seeds placed in a cold chamber room and natural environment presented maximum germination and vigour with 60 days of storage. Yellow passion fruit seeds exhibit orthodox behaviour, and should be stored at 14% of water content, in a cold chamber room and natural environment, without loss of viability and physiological quality over eight months, presenting maximum germination and vigour after 60 days storage, without the presence of pathogens.

Bean is one of the most important crops because it is a staple food. In order to control diseases and pests, the use of fungicides and insecticides in the seed treatment are efficient methods. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fungicides and insecticides on physiological quality of bean seeds. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory and greenhouse, and seeds of two genotypes of common bean (Peanut and Xamego) were used. The seeds were treated with the following fungicides: Captan, Fluazinam, Metioram and insecticides: Acefate, Imidacloprid and Thiametoxan. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with replications and seven treatments. Not treated seeds were utilized as control. The bean seeds treatment of the genotype Peanut and Xamego using insecticide and fungicide did not affect the physiological quality of the seeds. Xamego genotypes shows greater vigor in the laboratory, while the Peanut genotype in the greenhouse, and the treatments do not interfere in the initial growth of the plants.

Altitudes, ranging between 100 m and 900 m are the most suitable for growing passion fruit and the studies on the distinct geographical locations suggest the expression of different genotypes under the influence of adequate environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds of Passiflora spp., cultivated at three different altitudes in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Before conducting the physiological tests for seed quality, pre-tests were performed on the physically scarified, gibberellic acid-treated, and intact seeds of the yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener), the purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims), and the sweet passion fruit (Passiflora alata Curtis), collected from three different altitudes (high, medium, and low), in order to overcome dormancy. The higher values of germination and vigor were observed after the pre-germination treatments of the intact seeds of the yellow passion fruit, the scarified seeds of the purple passion fruit, and the gibberellic acid-treated seeds of the sweet passion fruit. The seeds with the highest values of germination and vigor were selected for the accelerated aging test with a saturated salt solution at 43 ºC for 72 h and the controlled deterioration test with 25% of moisture at 45 ºC for 24 h, respectively. Using these tests, it was possible to differentiate the species of passion fruit, collected from different altitudes. The seeds of the yellow passion fruit and the seeds, collected from higher altitudes presented higher physiological quality in this study.