Maíne Alessandra Lerner

Fruit yield of strawberry stock plants after runner tip production by different cultivars

ABSTRACT The main objective of this research was to determine fruit yield of strawberry ( Fragaria x ananassa ) stock plants in a cropping system after producing runner tips and plug plants. Micropropagated stock plants were planted in a soilless growing system. Runner tips bearing at least one visible root nodule were harvested at 43, 66 and 87 days after planting, rooted and planted as multiplied stock plants for producing plug plants. Treatments consisted of micropropagated stock plants of cultivars INIA Araza, INIA Guenoa and INIA Yvapita, planted on October 1 st , 2008 (T1); multiplied stock plants planted on November 28 th (T2) and on December 21 st , 2008 (T3), and on January, 10 th , 2009 (T4). On May 22 nd , 2009, stock plants were defoliated and plug plants of the same cultivars were planted as control for fruit production. Early fruit yield and number of fruits were higher on stock plants, but fresh fruit yield was higher on control plants. Total fruit yield and number were higher on stock plants of ‘INIA Araza’ and ‘INIA Guenoa’. We concluded that strawberry stock plants reach higher early and total fresh fruit yield than plug transplants in the second cropping year after producing runner tips in a soilless growing system. Therefore, plants should not be discarded after the production of runner tips.

Produção de estolhos de cultivares de morangueiro em função da condutividade elétrica da solução nutritiva

The characteristics of the nutrient solution used in soilless culture systems with the use of substrates is one of the factors which influence the emission of runner tips. The electrical conductivity (EC) of the nutrient solution is related to the concentration of nutrients, but still few reported in the literature for production of strawberry plug transplants in Brazil. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of the nutrient solution electrical conductivity on growth of strawberry stock plants and on production of runner tips for plug transplants. The completely randomized experimental design was used in a (5x2) factorial scheme. Five concentrations of the nutrient solution measured by means of its EC of 0.4; 0.8; 1.2; 1.6 and 2.0 dS/m and strawberry cultivars Camino Real and Oso Grande were compared, with 20 replications of one stock plant. Planting was carried out in pots in October and plants were fertigated with the five concentrations. Runner tips were collected weekly and counted, necrotic ones being discarded. A sample of 15 runner tips from plants of each treatment was collected at two-week intervals to determine the number of leaves, crown diameter and dry mass. In February, a sample of 45 runner tips from each treatment was rooted in polystyrene trays with 40 cm3 of organic substrate to determine the transplant survival rate, crown diameter, number of expanded leaves, shoot and root dry mass of transplants. At the end of the experiment, leaf area and dry mass of roots, crown, petioles and leaves were determined. We concluded that increasing the concentration of the nutrient solution reduces the growth of strawberry stock plants and the production of runner tips and transplants is higher in the EC range between 0.8 and 1.1 dS/m.

Nitrogen accumulation and monitoring by strawberry stock plants for runner tips production

The composition and concentration of the nutrient solution can affect growth of strawberry stock plants and runner tips production. The aim of this research was to determine runner tips production and nitrogen (N) accumulation by strawberry stock plants grown under five N concentrations in the nutrient solution and its relationships with chlorophyll meter readings. From September 2010 to March 2011, strawberry stock plants of cultivar Oso Grande and Camino Real were grown on sand polyethylene bags. Nitrogen was supplied by nutrient solutions at concentrations of 5.12 (C1), 7.6 (C2), 10.12 (C3), 12.62 (C4) and 15.12 (C5) mmol L-1. Runner tips bearing at least one expanded leaf were collected weekly and counted. The chlorophyll index (ICF) was measured fortnightly using a digital chlorophyll meter on the last second full expanded leaf of stock plant. A polynomial relationship was adjusted between the chlorophyll index and the N concentration in leaflets, which can be used for monitoring the N status of this crop. Leaflets and petioles are the organs of the strawberry stock plants with the higher N accumulation and runner tips production is not affected by N concentrations of the nutrient solution in the range of 5.12 to 15.12 mmol L-1.

Frigoconservação das pontas de estolões na produção de muda com torrão e frutas de morangueiro

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of cold storage of strawberry runner tips used for production of plug plants and fruit yield in the field. The experiment was conducted in Santa Maria, RS, using plug plants rooted after 0; 7; 14; 21; 28 and 35 days of cold storage of runner tips at 0,5±0,3°C temperature and 95±1% air humidity. After the cold storage period, runner tips were rooted for plug plant production and planted in the field for fruit production. The survival rate and number of leaves of plug plants were recorded after rooting. Fruit and stolon number and fruit yield were determined from June to December 2010. It was concluded that the cold storage of runner tips for further rooting and plug plant production did not affect growth and survival of plug plants. Fruit yield of plants originated from such plug plants is reduced when the cold storage period is increased while emission of stolons is linearly enhanced, but these effects are cultivar dependent.

Nutrient solution concentration and collection time in phytomass production, content, yield and chemical composition of essential oil of rosemary

ABSTRACT Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary), is a medicinal and aromatic species used in the cosmetics and food processing industries. The present study aimed to evaluate the biomass production, content, yield and chemical composition of the essential oil of rosemary in cultivation out of soil with different concentrations of nutrient solution in both harvests. The cultivation of rosemary was conducted in a protected system off the ground, with concentrations of nutrient solutions of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 dS.m−1 for fertigation with collections of leaves 100 and 160 days after planting. Nutrient solution concentration influences phytomass production and the content and yield of essential oil of rosemary, though not its chemical composition. The collection time does not interfere in the content of essential oil; however, does interfere in the chemical composition; the production of phytomass and the yield of oil per plant are higher in collections at 160 days after planting.

Nitrogen in plant growth and yield of common bean

ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to determine the effect of nitrogen (N) availability on wild Rhizobiumnodulation, plant growth and grain yield of the common bean crop. Experiments were conducted in two growing periods, from 2 March to 3 June 2011 (autumn) and from 21 September to 23 December 2011 (spring), in pots using sand as substrate. Nitrogen concentrations of 5.12 (T1), 7.6 (T2), 10.12 (T3), 12.62 (T4), and 15.12 (T5) mmol L−1 were supplied by fertigation. In spring, the grain yield, number of grains and shoot growth of both cultivars reduced by effect of N concentration but in the cultivar BRS Valente they reducedonly in autumn. Number of nodules and root growth decreased in both cultivars while N concentration increased in the plant tissues. Nitrogen fertilization is not required to the common bean and its use inhibits nodulation. The increased availability does not enhance plant growth and grain yield.

Consórcio de salsa e cebolinha para produção de maços comerciais mistos de cheiro-verde

The objective of this research was to test an intercropping system of parsley and chives in substrate for production of commercial mixed bunches. The experiment was carried out at the Departamento de Fitotecnia from Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, from September 12th to October 22nd, 2012, using sand (2,5 L) in polypropylene pots placed over benches in a closed fertirrigated growing system (with collection and reuse of drained nutrient solution). Five electrical conductivities (CE) of the nutrient solution were compared, 0.5; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5 and 3.0 dS/m, and eight crop arrangements, four intercropped and four monocropped. The intercropped arrangements were formed with transplants of parsley and chives from one cell of the commercial tray set side by side in the same pot (1S+1C); from two cells of parsley and one of chives (2S+1C); one of parsley and two of chives (1S+2C); two of parsley and two of chives (2S+2C). The four monocropped arrangements, as controls, were formed by parsley transplants from one cell of trays (1S); by chives from one cell of trays (1C); by parsley from two cells of trays (2S) and by chives from two cells of trays (2C) per pot. The experimental design was an entirely randomized bifactorial (5x8) and each pot was considered as a plot, with five replications. At the end of the experiment, plants of both species were harvested separately and fresh (MVPA) and dry mass (MSPA) of shoot were determined. The intercropping arrangement composed by transplants of parsley and chives from one cell of the commercial tray and fertilized with nutrient solution with the CE of 2.0 dS/m was the most efficient to produce mixed commercial bunches of green seasoning.