Eduardo Andrea Lemus Erasmo

Potential of species used as green manure in the integrated weed management

This work was carried out at the Experimental Station of the University of Tocantins, Gurupi-TO, Brazil, to evaluate the interference of eight species frequently used as green manure (Mucuna aterrima, Mucuna pruriens, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Crotalaria spectabilis, Canavalia ensiformis, Cajanus cajan, Pennisetum americanum and Sorghum bicolor, hybrid BR304) in the weed community, for sixty days under field conditions. The most frequent weed species in the experimental area were Digitaria horizontalis, Hyptis lophanta and Amaranthus spinosus. Samplings were made at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after formation of green manure covering, using a square sampler of 0.25 m2. The weeds were identified, collected, dried and weighed. The experimental design consisted of nine treatments distributed in randomized blocks with four replicates. It was verified that C. spectabilis, S. bicolor, C. ochroleuca M. aterrima and M. pruriens reduced significantly the number and dry matter weight of the weeds evaluated, especially H.lophanta and A. spinosus, while P. americanum was the least efficient.

Levantamento fitossociológico das comunidades de plantas infestantes em áreas de produção de arroz irrigado cultivado sob diferentes sistemas de manejo

This research aimed to identify the floristic composition of weed communities present in lowland agricultural areas under different management systems. The trial was carried out in flooded rice areas of two different co-ops located in Formoso do Araguaia, Tocantins, Brazil: Mista Rural Vale do Javaes Co-op and Agroindustrial Rio Formoso Co-op. Three different 1 ha areas were selected: 1 - area under 5- year no crop rotation system (rice/fallow); 2 - area under 5- year rice/soybean crop rotation system; and 3 - area under 2- year rice/water-melon crop rotation system. The characterization and phyto-sociological studies of the weed community were carried out using square samples of 1.0 x 1.0 meter randomly placed inside each selected area (Inventory Square Method). Eight families and 16 species were identified in the no-crop rotation area, with the family Poaceae presenting the largest number of species and Fimbristylis miliacea (Cyperaceae) presenting the highest relative importance value (84.46%). The 5-year rice soybean crop rotation system area had 8 families and 12 species with the Poaceae and Cyperaceae presenting the largest number of species and Cyperus esculentus (Cyperaceae) the highest relative importance value (91. 40 %). Six families and 8 species were identified in the 2-year rice/water-melon crop rotation system area, with the Euphorbiaceae and Lamiaceae families presenting the largest number of species. Physalis angulata (Solanaceae) showed the highest relative importance value (153.10%), followed by Eclipta alba (Compositae) and Hyptis lophanta (Lamiaceae) with a relative importance value of 40.50% and 37.60%, respectively.

Suitability of the predatory mites Iphiseiodes zuluagai and Euseius concordis in controlling Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Tetranychus bastosi on Jatropha curcas plants in Brazil

One of the most promising plant species for biofuel production in Brazil is the physic nut Jatropha curcas. Major phytosanitary problems include the attack of two pest mite species, the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus and the spider mite Tetranychus bastosi. Owing to pesticide-related problems, there is an increasing demand for sustainable environmental-friendly control methods such as biological control. In this study we evaluated the suitability of the predatory mite species Iphiseiodes zuluagai and Euseius concordis in controlling P. latus and T. bastosi on J. curcas. The number of T. bastosi killed by I. zuluagai was lower than the number of P. latus consumed.Euseius concordis preyed upon both T. bastosi and P. latus but the number of prey killed was always lower in comparison with I. zuluagai. However, P. latus and T. bastosi are suitable for the development of I. zuluagai and E. concordis as oviposition of both predators did not differ in relation to prey species. The preference of I. zuluagai for leaves of plants infested by either P. latus or T. bastosi, combined with the higher values for predation obtained by this predatory mite when fed on P. latus, compared to those values obtained by E. concordis, suggests that I. zuluagai can be more efficient than E. concordis in reducing populations of P. latus and T. bastosi under field conditions. Furthermore, we report here on the first record of predatory mites associated with P. latus and T. bastosi on native J. curcas plants in Brazil. In conclusion, we emphasize the crucial importance of predatory mites as agents of natural biological control of mite pests on J. curcas in small farms.

Effect of nitrogen doses on disease severity and watermelon yield

Nitrogen fertilization is an important step for watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production due to its influence over yield, fruit quality, and disease severity. Currently, the gummy stem blight (Didymella bryoniae) and the downy mildew (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) can be taken as the most important watermelon diseases, since they impose severe impairment to the crop. Furthermore, studies focusing on plant responses to nitrogen fertilization regarding fruit yield and quality, and disease resistance are rare. Hence, the present study aimed at evaluating the effect of nitrogen doses on fruit yield and quality, and on disease prevalence in watermelon. Two experiments were carried out at the Universidade Federal de Tocantins, employing sprinkler irrigation, in an area previously used to grow watermelon. The experimental design was blocks at random, with five treatments (N doses, applied twice as side-dressing, in kg ha-1, as follows: T1= control treatment without N, T2= 20, T3= 40, T4= 80, and T5= 120), and four replications. Urea (45% N) was used as the N source. In the first assay, the highest fruit yield and average weight were observed when 40 kg ha-1 of N were applied. The highest severity of the gummy stem blight was observed when the highest nitrogen doses were applied (80 and 120 kg ha-1). In the second assay, the highest severity levels of the gummy stem blight, as well as of mildew, were observed again when N doses were the highest (80 and 120 kg ha-1). The lowest severity levels for both diseases were observed in the control treatment.

Effect of simulated glyphosate drift on the initial growth of physic nut plants

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of simulated glyphosate drift on the initial growth of physic nut plants (Jatropha curcas) under greenhouse conditions. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications. To simulate drift, glyphosate was used at the following rates: 0.0, 1.4, 2.8, 5.6, 11.3, 22.5, 45.0, 90.0, 180.0 and 360.0 g ha-1, distributed in randomized blocks with four replications. Glyphosate was applied 51 days after sowing, when the plants displayed between 16 and 18 fully developed leaves and 45 cm height. A backpack sprayer was used, pressurized to CO2 and adjusted to provide spraying consumption of 200 L ha-1. The results indicated that height, stem diameter, leaf area and dry mass of leaf, stem and root of the physic nut plants showed reductions after glyphosate drift simulation, compared with the control. Thus, it can be concluded that the initial growth of the physic nut plants was influenced by simulated glyphosate drift, and that the drift of rates higher than 45.0 g ha-1 can cause severe damage to the plants during the period of 41 days after application.

Estudo sobre o crescimento de fedegoso

O crescimento de Senna obtusifolia foi estudado sob condicoes de casa-de-vegetacao, num delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 4 repeticoes . As plantas cresceram em vasos de 6 litros preenchidos com areia e irrigados com solucao completa de Hoaglan d, duas vezes por dia. O crescimento das plantas foi avaliado a partir de 21 ate 161 dias apos a emergencia, em intervalos de 14 dias. Os resultados evidenciaram que as plantas de S. obtusifolia acumularam o maximo de materia seca aos 147 dias apos a emergencia (D.A.E.) com um periodo de maior intensidade de crescimento compreendido entre 21 e 63 D.A. E. A partir da emergencia ate 63 dias, o maior acumulo de mate ria seca foi verificado nas raizes, apos esta data ate o final do ciclo do fedegoso, maior proporcao foi alocada nos caules. Aos 63 D.A. E. todas as plantas tinham florescido. A taxa de crescimento relativo decresceu rapidamente ate 63 dias, mantendo-se baixa e constante ate o final do periodo experimental. Este parâmetro de crescimento foi fortemente influenciado pela tal, a qual foi constante apos 91 dias, provavelmente devido ao auto -sombreamento da planta . A area foliar cresceu amplamente ate os 35 dias, tornando-se estavel a partir dos 119 dias apos a emergencia das plantas. Considerando-se um periodo correspondente a dois tercos do ciclo medio de cultura s anuais, de dez semanas, S. obtusif olia quando comparada a outras especies daninhas, apresenta taxas de crescimento inicial menores, o que pode caracteriza-la como uma planta infestante tardia.

Biologia e tabela de vida do ácaro-vermelho Tetranychus bastosi em pinhão-manso

The objective of this work was to determine the biology and life table of Tetranychus bastosi on physic nut (Jatropha curcas). The experiment was carried out under controlled conditions at 26oC and 75% RH, with photophase of 12 hours. The eggs used in the experiments were obtained from stock culture. Evaluations were performed twice a day for the biology of the mite, and once a day for reproductive parameters. The average life cycle of females was 9.63 days and that of males was 8.94 days. The sex ratio was 0.65, and the mean longevity of females was 16 days, with average production of 59 eggs per female. The life table parameters obtained were: liquid reproduction rate (Ro), 45.41 individuals; average generation length (T), 12.66 days; intrinsic growth rate (rm), 0.0538 female per female per day; finite growth rate (λ), 1.023 female per female; and time required for doubling the population (TD), 3.15 days. The spider mite T. bastosi develops well and presents a high reproductive potential on leaves of physic nut.

Efficiency and economic feasibility of pest control systems in watermelon cropping.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to determine the efficiency and feasibility of two different watermelon pest control systems on pest infestations, natural enemies, and on the productivity and sustainability of watermelon cropping. Two independent experiments were carried out during the dry season of 2011. Both experiments were carried out using a randomized block experimental design, with three treatments; weekly application of pesticide (WAP), integrated pest management (IPM), and nonpesticide application (control); and four replicates. Arthropods sampling was performed every 2 d by direct counting at five randomly selected points in each plot. Samples were taken by beating the leaves from the apical portion of the plant against a white plastic tray. Arthropods that moved along the soil surface were sampled weekly using pitfall traps. Both WAP and IPM treatments negatively affected the arthropod population. We conclude that IPM is an attractive strategy for watermelon cropping both economically and environmentally because it provides the grower with an option to lower production cost, achieves the same production, and there is less need for pesticide application when compared with the prophylactic control treatment when pesticides are applied on a weekly basis. This has not been reported for watermelon before.

Efeito da densidade e dos períodos de convivência de Cyperus esculentus na cultura do arroz irrigado

This work aimed to analyze the competitive effect of Cyperus esculentus on the initial development of irrigated rice. The field experiment was carried out at the Experimental Station of the University of Tocantins, in Formoso do Araguaia-TO. The statistical design used was a 4 x 5 factorial scheme with four replications in randomized blocks. The treatments consisted of four densities of C. esculentus (25, 50, 100, 200 plants m-2 and a clean check) and five periods of coexistence with rice (15, 25, 35, 45, 60 days after emergence). At the end of each period, dry matter, leaf area, number of tillers and rice yield were evaluated. C. esculentus presented higher irrigated rice yield reduction starting from 25 days of coexistence with the crop. Two hundred plants of C. esculentus m-2 coexisting for a period of 35 days reduced yield to 20.11%, representing 17.4 sacs ha-1. Dry matter, leaf area and number of tillers per rice plant were affected by the weeds in all the coexistence periods, with the leaf area being the most affected crop parameter.

Efeito de níveis crescentes de calagem no crescimento e estado nutricional de fedegoso

The distribution and development of plants, to example of those that infest the agricultural areas, the is influenced several factors, exemply those tied the carateristicas of the natural soil or imposed by the man. Like this being, the present research work objectified, to study the effect of growing levels of liming in the growth and state nutritional of Senna obtusifolia, it weed common in agricultural ecosystems. For this, the present research was developed, in conditions of Green House belonging to the Department of Applied Biology to the Agricultural, FCAVJ-UNESP, under randomized completely, with six treatments and four replications. The treatments were constituted in the amounts of liming : 00, 02, 04, 06, 08 and 10 t/ha, being the liming used the dolomitico roasted with 38% of Ca and 20% of MgO, with a relative power of total neutralization (PRNT) of 104%. The experimental portions had been constituted of pots of plastic with capacity of 5 litter filled with earth collected in the layer aravel of a Latossolo Red Dark Distrofico, the moderate, medium texture. After a period of growth of 56 days the plants were collected and separated in its vegetative components, being placed to dry in stove of forced circulation of air (70oC for 72 hours) for determination of the dry weight. After heavy, the material was triturated and analyzed the composition level of nutritions. The results for now obtained they evidenced negative effects of the growing levels of liming, on the growth of the plants of S. obtusifolia, being evidenced reductions in the values of the dry matter accumulated starting from the dose of 4 t/ha of calcareous (pH 5,8), with effects more marcantes in the roots. The application of growing doses of calcareous provoked in the soil a progressive increase in the texts of Ca and Mg, what perhaps can have stimulated the competition among cations, reducing the absorption of K. The elements N and P was the more absorbed by the plant.