Marcelo da Costa Mendonça

Densidades de plantio e doses de biofertilizante na produção de capim-limão

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de densidades de plantio e doses de biofertilizante comercial na producao de capim-limao (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf). O experimento foi implantado em parcelas subdivididas com tres repeticoes, colocando-se nas parcelas as densidades de plantio (33.333, 49.382, 55.555 e 111.111 plantas ha-1) e nas subparcelas as doses de biofertilizante (0; 20; 40 e 60 t ha-1). Foram realizadas nove colheitas em intervalos de 42 dias. Avaliou-se a sobrevivencia, a altura de planta, o numero de perfilhos por touceira, a massa seca por touceira e da parte aerea, o teor e o rendimento de oleo essencial. O teor de oleo essencial nao foi influenciado pelas densidades de plantio e doses de biofertilizante. A densidade crescente resultou em regressoes lineares crescentes para o rendimento de oleo essencial e a massa seca da parte aerea e em uma regressao linear decrescente para a massa seca por touceira. A dose de biofertilizante resultou em regressoes lineares crescentes para o rendimento de oleo essencial e a massa seca por touceira e da parte aerea. A densidade de 111.111 plantas ha-1 (0,30 x 0,30 m) e a dose de biofertilizante de 60 t ha-1 no primeiro ano de cultivo poderao ser recomendados para producao do capim-limao.

Esterco bovino e biofertilizante no cultivo de erva-cidreira-verdadeira (Melissa officinalis L.)

The phytotherapic and economic importance of Melissa officinalis has contributed to its cultivation expansion. The essential oil of leaves is composed of chemical constituents, which can be largely employed in the pharmaceutical industry due to their antioxidant, antivirotic and sedative activities. Thus, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of level combination of organic fertilization with commercial biofertilizer and cattle manure on Melissa officinalis cultivation. Treatments constituted of four levels of organic biofertilizer (Vitassolo®) and cattle manure at 0; 30,000; 60,000 and 90,000 L ha-1. Experimental design was in randomized blocks, in split plot 4X4 factorial arrangement, with three replicates. The characteristics evaluated were plant height, leaf yield, essential oil content and yield. The highest cattle manure levels resulted in higher plant development, compared with the same biofertilizer levels.

Viability of Metarhizium anisopliae conidia (metsch.) Sorok preserved in packages containing silica gel

Background The entomopathogenic fungi are important microbial agents for their efficient performance as microbial biopesticides in pest control. The development of commercial products formulated with entomopathogenic fungi is in a promising market for biopesticides. However, the fungi can lose their viability when exposed to unfavorable conditions of temperature, humidity and ultraviolet radiation, affecting the life of conidia. Among these constraints, there is the relative humidity through the presence of free water in formulated as one of the main factors that affect the viability of the organism in the form and function of storage time. The use of desiccant agents, such as silica gel, may be a viable alternative to favor the retention of moisture in the air, reducing the adsorption of water molecules by the system. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of silica gel in maintaining the viability of dry conidia of Metarhizium anisopliae.