João Valdenor Pereira Filho

Trocas gasosas em plantas de girassol submetidas à deficiência hídrica em diferentes estádios fenológicos

This study evaluated gas-exchange responses of the sunflower when subjected to water deficit at different stages of growth. The experiment was carried out at Pentecost, in the state of Ceara, in a randomized-block design of time-split plots, consisting of eight plots, three subplots and four blocks. In the plots, the periods of induction of the water deficit were evaluated at different stages of growth (vegetative, flowering and production formation), which corresponded to the occurrence of the water deficit at one, two or three stages, and in the subplots, the times of evaluation of the physiological characteristics corresponded to the end of each phase (52, 68 and 110 days after sowing, DAS). The crop was irrigated at a level equivalent to100% of the reference for evapotranspiration (ETo), and the water deficit was imposed at half the level that was used in the control treatment. The periods of evaluation influenced most of the variables analysed, except for the intrinsic efficiency of the use of water. The results for leaf temperature and for the rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, concentration of internal CO2, and the immediate and intrinsic efficiency of the use of water, showed no effects in relation to the level of water deficit evaluated regardless of the period in which these were applied. Photosynthesis and transpiration decreased with the stage of development of the crop, causing reductions in the immediate efficiency of the use of water. It was therefore concluded that the crop can be irrigated at 50% of ETo throughout the complete cycle without damage to the process of photosynthesis.This study evaluated gas-exchange responses of the sunflower when subjected to water deficit at different stages of growth. The experiment was carried out at Pentecost, in the state of Ceara, in a randomized-block design of time-split plots, consisting of eight plots, three subplots and four blocks. In the plots, the periods of induction of the water deficit were evaluated at different stages of growth (vegetative, flowering and production formation), which corresponded to the occurrence of the water deficit at one, two or three stages, and in the subplots, the times of evaluation of the physiological characteristics corresponded to the end of each phase (52, 68 and 110 days after sowing, DAS). The crop was irrigated at a level equivalent to100% of the reference for evapotranspiration (ETo), and the water deficit was imposed at half the level that was used in the control treatment. The periods of evaluation influenced most of the variables analysed, except for the intrinsic efficiency of the use of water. The results for leaf temperature and for the rates of photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, concentration of internal CO2, and the immediate and intrinsic efficiency of the use of water, showed no effects in relation to the level of water deficit evaluated regardless of the period in which these were applied. Photosynthesis and transpiration decreased with the stage of development of the crop, causing reductions in the immediate efficiency of the use of water. It was therefore concluded that the crop can be irrigated at 50% of ETo throughout the complete cycle without damage to the process of photosynthesis.

Morfologia e fitomassa do girassol cultivado com déficits hidricos em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the morphology, biomass production and biomass partition of sunflower (Multissol cultivar) when subjected to water deficit at Pentecoste, CE - Brazil. An experimental design in randomized blocks was used as split plots in time (8 x 3) with four replications, with the treatments defined by the development stage for application of water deficit vegetative, flowering and formation of production stages corresponding to the occurrence of water deficit at stages 1, 2 or 3 and three evaluation periods at 52, 68 and 110 days after sowing. The plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter were negatively influenced by the isolated effects of the water deficits and evaluation periods. The water deficits and evaluation periods interacted and affected the leaf area, dry mass of leaves, petiole, stem, head and total. The best response in terms of growth and biomass production occurred in the treatment presenting no water deficit throughout the cycle. The irrigation deficits did not change the biomass partition. The irrigation level equivalent to 50% of the ETo compromised morphology and biomass production, when applied at any development stage.

Influência da densidade do solo infestado por nematoide no desenvolvimento inicial de cana-de-açúcar

In cultivated areas of sugarcane in Northeastern Brazil, soil compaction and infestation of nematodes, mainly Meloidogyne spp., severely restrict crop production. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of four levels of density of soil infested with nematodes of the species M. incognita in the early development of sugarcane variety RB 863129 in greenhouse conditions. Evaluations were carried out 90 days after soil infestation, based on plant height, stalk diameter, number of leaves, root and shoot fresh biomass, shoot dry biomass and number of nematode eggs. The increase in soil compaction level from 1.65 to 1.82 kg dm-3 decreased M. incognita reproduction and increased sugarcane stalk length, but it did not affect the other plant development variables.