Paulo Roberto Ribeiro Rocha

White mold intensity on common bean in response to plant density, irrigation frequency, grass mulching, Trichoderma spp., and fungicide

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of integrated managements on white mold control on common bean. Initially, in vitro testing was made to assess the antagonism of 11 Trichoderma isolates against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and to investigate fungicides (fluazinam and procymidone) inhibitory effects on those fungi. In two field experiments the following combinations were tested: irrigation frequencies (seven or 14 days), plant densities (six or 12 plants per meter), and three disease controls (untreated control, fungicide or Trichoderma spp.). In a third experiment plant densities were replaced by grass mulching treatments (with or without mulching). Fluazinam was applied at 45 and 55 days after emergence (DAE). The antagonists T. harzianum (experiments 1 and 3) and T. stromatica (experiment 2) were applied through sprinkler irrigation at 10 and 25 DAE, respectively. Most of the Trichoderma spp. were effective against the pathogen in vitro. Fluazinam was more toxic than procymidone to both the pathogen and the antagonist. Fungicide applications increased yield between 32 % and 41 %. In field one application of Trichoderma spp. did not reduce disease intensity and did not increase yield. The reduction from 12 to six plants per meter did not decrease yield, and disease severity diminished in one of the two experiments. It is concluded that of the strategies for white mold control just reduction of plant density and applications of fungicide were efficient.

Competitive ability of barley cultivars against ryegrass

Characterization of the competitive ability of barley varieties against weed species is relevant for the adoption of the cultural method of weed control; thus, it is possible to reduce both the production costs and environmental impacts caused by other management methods, including the use of chemicals. This work assessed the competitive ability of barley varieties against ryegrass. Trials were installed under greenhouse conditions at the 2008/2009 cropping season, in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. Treatments were arranged in a substitution series design constituted by five proportions of plants of both species: 100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75; and 0:100. Barley varieties BRS Greta, BRS Elis and BRS 225 were tested against ryegrass as the competitor. The competitive analysis was carried out through diagrams applied to the substitutive design, plus determination of relative competitiveness indexes. Plant height, tillering, leaf area and shoot dry mass were evaluated. The presence of ryegrass reduced tillering, leaf area and dry mass accumulation for all varieties of barley tested, showing to be an aggressive competitor. Among the barley varieties tested, BRS Elis showed the highest competitive ability against ryegrass. Ryegrass requires the adoption of control techniques even when present at low proportions in the field.Characterization of the competitive ability of barley varieties against weed species is relevant for the adoption of the cultural method of weed control; thus, it is possible to reduce both the production costs and environmental impacts caused by other management methods, including the use of chemicals. This work assessed the competitive ability of barley varieties against ryegrass. Trials were installed under greenhouse conditions at the 2008/2009 cropping season, in a completely randomized block design, with four replications. Treatments were arranged in a substitution series design constituted by five proportions of plants of both species: 100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75; and 0:100. Barley varieties BRS Greta, BRS Elis and BRS 225 were tested against ryegrass as the competitor. The competitive analysis was carried out through diagrams applied to the substitutive design, plus determination of relative competitiveness indexes. Plant height, tillering, leaf area and shoot dry mass were evaluated. The presence of ryegrass reduced tillering, leaf area and dry mass accumulation for all varieties of barley tested, showing to be an aggressive competitor. Among the barley varieties tested, BRS Elis showed the highest competitive ability against ryegrass. Ryegrass requires the adoption of control techniques even when present at low proportions in the field.

Selectivity of pre-emergence herbicides to physic nut (Jatropha curcas)

In recent years, the areas cultivated with physic nut (Jatropha curcas) have expanded in Brazil, aiming at its use in biofuel production. However, one of the problems faced by the producers is the lack of studies on its tolerance to the herbicides registered in Brazil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the tolerance of physic nut genotypes to herbicides applied at pre-emergence. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design, with four replications, in a factorial design, 3 x 6. Factor A was composed by the genotypes (Filomena, Goncalo and Paraguacu), and factor B by the herbicides (isoxaflutole, oxyfluorfen, sulfentrazone, pendimethalin and tebuthiuron), plus one non-treated control. Intoxication by the herbicides was evaluated at 19, 32, 40, 48, 56 and 64 days after treatments (DAT). Height, leaf area, and plant dry matter were evaluated at 64 DAT. It was verified that the jatropha genotypes have different tolerance to the herbicides studied. Isoxaflutole and tebuthiuron caused severe injuries to all genotypes and negatively affected all the variables evaluated. On the other hand, oxyfluorfen and pendimethalin proved to be selective to the crop and should be evaluated in further studies to be recommended to the crop.

Weed Management in the Soybean Crop

Weeds have traits which confer them great aggressiveness even in adverse environments. High number of seeds, seed dormancy, discontinuous germination, effective dispersal mechanisms and population heterogeneity, are very important for weed establishment during crop development. During this phase, weeds may rapidly capture resources and occupy space; this is often linked to their competitive ability, because rapid growth requires the prompt and efficient conversion of resources into biomass. Thus, the yield is reduced and production costs increase, resulting in a decrease in farmers income.

Influence of Brachiaria brizantha in physiological characteristics related to photosynthesis and efficient use of water in sugarcane

The increase in density of weeds increases also its competitive ability, which affects the physiological aspects of crops. This study aimed to evaluate the interference of increasing densities of Brachiaria brizantha over sugarcane varieties RB72454, RB867515 and SP80-1816 based on physiological variables related to the photosynthesis rate. For this, a field was installed, being treatments composed by 12 densities of the competitor, ranging from 0 to 112 plants m-2, emerged simultaneously to the crop. At 120 days after crop emergence the substomatal CO2 concentration (Ci - µmol mol-1), photosynthetic activity (A - µmol m-2 s-1), stomatal conductance (gs - mol m-1 s-1), the transpiration rate (E), the water use efficiency (WUE) and the shoot dry mass (SDM - g per plant) of the crop were evaluated. All physiological variables and SDM of the variety RB72454 were affected by increasing the density of B. brizantha, as well as the transpiration rate of the variety RB867515. The variety RB72454 showed lower competitive ability with weeds and its photosynthetic ability is limited by factors that reduce the influx of CO2 into the leaf.