Gilberto Bernardo de Freitas

Growth and yield of coffee plants in agroforestry and monoculture systems in Minas Gerais, Brazil

This research compared coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.) grown in an agroforestry and monoculture systems. Data were collected during two years, on vegetative growth, reproductive development, nutritional status and yield of coffee, besides monitoring air temperature and the tree growth. All trees in agroforestry system increased in growth, resulting in a reduction in the magnitude of the diurnal temperature variation and also maximum temperature. Coffee plants in agroforestry system had less branch growth and leaf production, more persistent and larger leaves, and presented earlier flowering, with a smaller number of productive nodes and flower buds, leading to smaller berry yield than plants in monoculture system. In both systems, the coffee plants showed adequate leaf nutrient levels, except for P and K. The yield of 2443 kg ha-1 of coffee from the monoculture was greater than 515 kg ha-1 of coffee from the agroforestry system.

Repetibilidade de características do fruto de aceroleira

The objective of this paper was to estimate the repeatability coefficient (RC) of the fruit traits such as height (FH), diameter (FD), weight (FW), C vitamin (VitC), total soluble solids (TSS), pulp weight/fruit weight relation (PFR) and the titrable acidity (TA), while the number of measures that should be performed for an efficient selection of the genotypes under evaluation were determined. Analysis were made using the ANOVA, principal components and structural analysis methodology. The estimates of the RC for FH, FD, FW, VitC and TA demonstrated high regularity at the superiority of the individuals from one cycle to another, so the evaluation of two cycles was enough to predict the individuals real value with R2 above 90%. To TSS, in average, eight evaluation cycles were necessary to reach a R2 above 90%. PFR showed to be highly irregular, so the evaluation of at least 26 cycles turned to be necessary in order to reach a R2 above 90%. Such an irregularity was attributed to the method used in analyzing the characteristic, then the search for a more accurate and stable method was necessary.

Sunnhemp and millet as green manure for tropical maize production

A liberacao de nutrientes dos residuos de leguminosas e rapida nos tropicos. A consorciacao com gramineas pode resultar em liberacao de nutrientes desses residuos mais lenta e adequada aos requerimentos de N da cultura subsequente. Os objetivos do trabalho foram avaliar os efeitos dos adubos verdes crotalaria (Crotalaria juncea) e milheto (Pennisetum glaucum), solteiros ou consorciados, sobre o desempenho do milho com ou sem a aplicacao de N-fertilizante. O experimento foi instalado em quatro blocos casualizados em parcelas subdivididas. Os tratamentos da parcela consistiram do cultivo previo de crotalaria, milheto, crotalaria+milheto e ervas. Os tratamentos da subparcela foram 90 kg N ha-1 e ausencia de N-fertilizante. A parte aerea da crotalaria solteira ou consorciada apresentou, respectivamente, 173 kg ha-1 e 89 kg ha-1 de FBN-N. Metade do N foi liberado em 15 e 22 dias, dos residuos de crotalaria solteira e crotalaria+milheto respectivamente. Esta diferenca foi provavelmente causada pela imobilizacao temporaria devido a maior C/N da crotalaria+milheto. Na ausencia de N-fertilizante o cultivo previo de crotalaria+milheto resultou em maior produtividade do milho que a crotalaria solteira. Esse resultado nao se repetiu com a aplicacao de N-fertilizante. Esse efeito e atribuido a liberacao de N mais sincronizada com o requerimento do milho do que com crotalaria e milheto solteiros. O balanco de nitrogenio mostra que a recuperacao de N-FBN foi de 15% e 10% do N nos grao de milho apos crotalaria solteira e crotalaria+milheto respectivamente. A utilizacao de N-FBN pelo milho foi 65% maior apos crotalaria+milheto do que apos crotalaria solteira.

Análise comparativa das características da serrapilheira e do solo em cafezais (Coffea arabica L.) cultivados em sistema agroflorestal e em monocultura, na Zona da Mata MG

Coffee plants in agroforestry systems is an alternative to full sunlight cultivation, presenting the potential benefits of enhancing soil chemical and physical characteristics, reducing soil erosion, besides maintaining soil moisture for longer periods. This research aimed at comparing the quantity and nutrient concentration in the litter, soil fertility and soil moisture in coffee crops under full sunlight monocrop and in agroforestry systems, at the Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The research was carried out between January 1999 and May 2000. The agroforestry system, contributed with 6.1 Mg ha-1 year-1 of litter dry matter while the monoculture produced 4.5 Mg ha-1 year-1, which presented higher nutrient content. The litter in monoculture presented higher nutrient content. The agroforestry system presented higher soil moisture content (20-40 cm depth) and K, Ca, Mg, Sum of Basis, Cation Exchange Capacity, Cu and Zn levels in both soil depth, besides lower aluminum saturation and Al values in deeper layer than soil of monocrop coffee. Soil under monoculture presented higher P and organic matter content than agroforestry system.

Desempenho agronômico de milho consorciado com feijão-de-porco em duas épocas de cultivo no sistema orgânico de produção

Com o presente trabalho, avalia-se a producao de milho verde e grao em cultivo orgânico e a massa de leguminosa no consorcio milho, feijao-de-porco, em duas epocas de cultivo. Foram realizados dois experimentos de campo, em Vicosa (MG), no periodo de outono/inverno e de primavera/verao. O milho e o feijao-de-porco foram semeados simultaneamente na mesma linha, espacadas de 1m. Os tratamentos foram as densidades de feijao-de-porco, 0, 2, 4 e 6 plantas m-1 e as duas epocas de cultivo, no esquema fatorial 4 x 2, utilizando-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repeticoes. A producao de milho foi influenciada somente pela epoca do ano, atingindo 7,26 e 9,64 Mg ha-1 de milho verde e 5,01 e 7,46 Mg ha-1 de graos nos cultivos de outono/inverno e primavera/verao, respectivamente. Houve efeito significativo da densidade de plantas, da epoca de amostragem e da epoca de cultivo sobre a producao de massa do adubo verde. A maior producao de biomassa de feijao-de-porco (5,07 Mg ha-1) foi obtida no final do ciclo do milho no cultivo de outono/inverno, com 4,8 plantas m-1. No cultivo de primavera/verao a producao maxima (2,95 Mg ha-1) foi obtida com 6 plantas m-1 tambem no final do ciclo da cultura do milho. Conclui-se que a producao de milho em cultivo orgânico nao e prejudicada pela consorciacao com feijao-de-porco.

Decomposição, liberação e volatilização de nitrogênio em resíduos culturais de mucuna-cinza (Mucuna cinerea)

As leguminosas possibilitam a incorporacao biologica de nitrogenio aos sistemas de producao. Contudo, existe pouco conhecimento sobre a decomposicao, liberacao e volatilizacao de nitrogenioassociados a diferentes doses de seus residuos. Objetivouse, neste trabalho avaliar a decomposicao, a liberacao e a volatilizacao de nitrogenio de diferentes doses de mucuna-cinza (Mucuna cinerea Piper & Tracy). O experimento constou de tratamentos com 12 (C12) ou 25 (C25) Mg ha-1 de composto orgânico: C12AV0 (sem leguminosa); C12AV4 (4 Mg ha-1 de residuo); C12AV8 (8 Mg ha-1); C12AV12 (12 Mg ha-1); C25; AV12 (12 Mg ha-1) e testemunha absoluta. Adotou-se o delineamento de blocos casualizados e cinco repeticoes. Foram determinadas as taxas de decomposicao do adubo verde e liberacao de N, o teor de N-mineral no solo e a volatilizacao de N-NH3. A liberacao de N (t½=28 dias) foi mais rapida que a decomposicao do residuo (t½=38 dias). Essa liberacao de N eleva rapidamente os teores de N-mineral do solo e resulta tambem em maior elevacao da volatilizacao de N-NH3. O incremento das doses de 8 para 12 Mg ha-1 de mucuna resultou em aumento mais que proporcional da volatilizacao acumulada de N-NH3, atingindo 30 kg ha-1 apos 30 dias.

Mineral composition of pulp and production of the yellow passion fruit with organic and conventional fertilizers.

The use of organic foods has been increased in the world. Organic fertilizers, like cattle manure, have emerged as an important component of the organic system production. The production, mass, size, and mineral composition of passion fruit pulp were evaluated when treated with a mineral fertilizer (control) (MIN) or cattle manure at a single dose equivalent to potassium fertilizer (ORG) or double dose (2×ORG). The production and the numbers of fruits of plants treated with MIN and 2×ORG was higher than with ORG. The level of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) in the fruit pulp was similar with all three fertilizers, but the calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) was higher with ORG and 2×ORG. The number and weight of the fruits of passion fruit treated with 2×ORG were similar to those with MIN fertilizer, but they contained more Ca and Mg.

Broccoli yield in response to top-dressing fertilization with green manure and biofertilizer

The objective of this work was to evaluate the productive performance of broccoli under different top-dressing organic fertilizations. The experiment was conducted under protected cultivation, in a completely randomized design with four replications, with two plants per experimental unit. Broccoli seedlings were produced in a commercial substrate in styrofoam trays. The seedlings were transplanted to plastic pots containing 10.0 L of substrate made up of subsoil and organic compost at the ratio of 3:1 (v/v), respectively , which is equivalent to about 20.0 t ha -1 of organic compost at planting. After seedling establishment, the top-dressing fertilization treatments were applied: gliricidia biomass associated or not with liquid biofertilizer of cattle manure to the soil and bokashi. Two control treatments were established: one with mineral fertilization recommended for the crop and the other without top-dressing fertilization. The broccoli production was evaluated (commercial standard). Plants that received mineral fertilizer were more productive, however, they were not significantly dif ferent (p>0.05), by Dunnet test, from the plants fertilized with 2.5 t ha -1 gliricidia biomass (dry mass) associated with liquid biofertilizer (2.0 L m ‐2 ) applied to soil. Top-dressing fertilizations with only gliricidia, at 2.5 and 5.0 t ha -1 of biomass (dry mass), resulted in no significant increase in production of broccoli inflorescence. The use of bokashi in addition to gliricidia biomass and liquid biofertilizer reduced the efficiency of the fertilization compared with plants that received only gliricidia and liquid biofertilizer .

Yellow passion fruit postharvest conservation and quality according to organic and mineral fertilizer

1M.Sc., PhD in Fitotecnia, Federal University of Viçosa, Departamento de Fitotecnia, UFV, 3670-000 Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Email: analia.pacheco@ufv.br 2M.Sc. in Fitotecnia, Federal University of Viçosa, Departamento de Fitotecnia, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Email: matpagliarini@gmail.com 3Professor D. Sc. of Federal University of Viçosa, Departamento de Fitotecnia, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Email: bernardo@ufv.br 4Professor D. Sc. of Federal University of Viçosa, Departamento de Fitotecnia, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Email: gerival@ufv.br Abstract-Yellow passion fruit are highly perishable after harvest. Organic products may have better nutritional quality and better postharvest conservation due to the application of different cultural practices such as organic fertilization and non-use of synthetic pesticides. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of organic fertilization on the quality and postharvest conservation of yellow passion fruit. The orchard was installed in a completely randomized design with four replications and four plants on the same row per experimental unit. The treatments were three types of fertilization applied in the orchard: mineral (MIN) recommended for the crop; organic (ORG), equivalent to the recommended potassium fertilization for the crop and 2 × ORG with twice the ORG dose. The organic fertilizer used was partially cured cattle manure. The mineral and organic fertilizers were applied superficially. During the harvest, the fruits were classified according to mass, type A (above 175 g), B (between 125 and 175 g) and C (below 125 g). The experiment was developed in a completely randomized design, in a factorial scheme (fertilization x fruit mass classes), with six replications and 90 fruits per treatment. Fruits of plants fertilized with 2 × ORG showed the same pulp yield (PY) of those that received MIN fertilization. Fruits of class C and fruits from plants fertilized with MIN showed greater weight loss. No difference between fertilization and mass classes was found for soluble solids (SS) and titratable acidity (TA). There was also no effect of fertilization on the SS / AT ratio, pH and vitamin C content, however, class B fruits showed, on average, higher values for these pulp aspects. The dose of ORG fertilizer was not enough to keep the fruit quality in relation to the PY, but the fruits from plants fertilized with ORG and 2 × ORG kept up with better commercial quality for a longer period. The organic fertilizer with cattle manure is an efficient alternative to maintaining postharvest conservation of yellow passion fruit.

WILD PINEAPPLE (ANANAS BRACTEATUS (LINDL.), VAR. ALBUS) HARVESTED IN FOREST PATCHES IN RURAL AREA OF VIÇOSA, MINAS GERIAS, BRAZIL: EXCELLENT SOURCE OF MINERALS AND GOOD SOURCE OF PROTEINS AND VITAMIN C

In the rural region of the municipality of Vicosa, Minas Gerais, forest patches are encountered and they present a great diversity of wild and edible fruit, where wild pineapple (Ananas bracteatus (Lindl.), var. albus) is one of those of greatest occurrence. Given that, little is known about the nutritional characteristics of this fruit, the present study aimed to investigate the physical and physic-chemical characteristics, chemical composition (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, pH, moisture content, ash, protein, lipids and dietary fiber), carotenoids (a-carotene, s-carotene, s-cryptoxanthin and lycopene), vitamin C (AA and DHA) by HPLC-DAD, vitamin E (a-, s-, ?-, d-, tocopherols and tocotrienols) by HPLC-fluorescence, and minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Na, Cr, Se and Mo) by ICP-AES. Fruits showed a moisture content average of 78.5 g 100g-1, 16.3 ° Brix of soluble solids, titratable acidity equal to 1.71 g 100g-1 of citric acid, 1.66 g 100g-1 of dietary fiber, 1.41 g 100 g-1 of lipids and caloric density of 83.15 kcal 100g-1. We considered it a source of carbohydrates (12.82 g 100g-1), proteins (4.79 g 100g-1) and Zn (0.98 mg 100g-1); a good source of vitamin C (18.70 mg 100g-1); and an excellent source of Cu (0.48 mg 100g-1), Fe (2.05 mg 100g-1), Mn (8.87 mg 100g-1) and Mo (0.15 mg 100g-1).