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Passion fruit cultivation relies on irrigation to increase yields in the semiarid of northeastern Brazil. Water scarcity is one of the factors that most affect crop physiology, leading to lower yields. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of planting hole volume and application of a hydroretentive polymer on physiological and productive aspects of irrigated yellow passion fruit cv. BRS GA1 in the Northeast semi-arid region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, in a split-plot design 2 × (2 × 2). Treatments consisted of irrigation depths (100% and 70% of the crop's evapotranspiration requirement - ETc), planting hole volumes (64 dm3 and 128 dm3), and soil with and without application of hydroretentive Polymer (1.5 g dm3), with four replicates and three plants per plot. The analyzed variables included chlorophyll a and b indices, gas exchange, and yellow passion fruit yield. The findings showed that hydroretentive polymer application to the soil increases chlorophyll content and gas exchange in yellow passion fruit. Moreover, photosynthetic rates were not limited by a 30% reduction in irrigation depth and increased in plants grown in 128-dm3 planting holes with hydroretentive polymer. Based on yield results, irrigation depths can be reduced to 70% of the ETc by applying hydroretentive polymer in 64-dm3 planting holes.

In semi-arid regions, agricultural production is often limited due to scarcity and rainfall irregularities, and, therefore, the production system depends on irrigation. In this direction, the research aimed to evaluate the influence of the reduction of water losses in the soil through the coating of the lateral faces of the planting furrows with plastic film, by lateral infiltration of water and bovine biofertilizers for growth in height, production, and chlorophyll responses of tomato cv. Fascínio F1 irrigated with moderately saline water. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks, in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with 4 replicates and 21 plants per plot. Different conditions were used and compared with each other: the furrow had side coating or not, and the soil received a common biofertilizer (fresh lactating bovine manure), chemically enriched fertilizer (common biofertilizer, milk, molasses, and gypsum), or no fertilizer at all. The variables evaluated were soil moisture, plant height, a, b, and total chlorophyll content, number and average fruit mass, tomato production, and productivity. The enriched bovine biofertilizer associated with the lateral furrow coating increased the synthesis of chlorophyll pigments, the number of fruits per plant, and the productivity of tomato cv. Fascínio F1. Protecting the faces of the furrows against water losses from the root environment of plants keeps the soil moist, stimulates the synthesis of chlorophyll, and increases the average mass of the fruits. The common bovine biofertilizer promotes greater growth in plant height, and the chemically enriched biofertilizer increases the average weight of tomato fruits.

Water availability is a limiting factor for the cultivation of sour passion fruit. Soil management techniques and the use of water-retaining polymers can increase soil water retention, reducing the frequency of irrigation in the crop. In this context, the objective of the research was to evaluate the gas exchange, the chlorophyll index, and the yield of the sour passion fruit cv. BRS GA1 as a function of irrigation depths, pit volumes, and doses of water-retaining polymer. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks, in plots subdivided in a 2 × (2 × 5) arrangement, with irrigation depths of 70 and 100% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) as the main plot, the subplots with the volumes of pit of 64 and 128 dm3, and doses of the water-retaining polymer of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 g dm−3. The interaction of irrigation depths × pit volumes × doses of water-retaining polymer influences chlorophyll indexes, gas exchange, and water productivity, with positive impacts on yield of the sour passion fruit. The water depth of 70% of ETc increased the yield of sour passion fruit, in pits of 64 dm3. The application of doses of up to 1.1 g dm−3 of the water-retaining polymer and irrigation with water of 70% of ETc is recommended, and a dose of 2.0 g dm−3 of the water-retaining polymer in a pit volume of 128 dm3, associated with an irrigation depth of 100% ETc causes stress in sour passion fruit plants due to excess water.

ABSTRACT Salt-affected soils occupy extensive areas in arid and semi-arid regions around the world, and impact food production, particularly when salinization processes occur in irrigated areas. In this context, the possibility of using techniques for the reclamation of these soils needs to be considered. However, many of these techniques are inaccessible to most farmers in the Brazilian semi-arid region, given the high costs, mainly when it is necessary to install a subsurface drainage system. Thus, there is a need to evaluate other soil reclamation strategies as well as the possibility of using these areas for other purposes. This review covers topics related to the characterization and impacts of salt-affected soils, the influence of soil microorganisms, and strategies for soil reclamation, such as the use of chemical and organic conditioners, bio-drainage, phytoremediation, and revegetation with tolerant species. The topics addressed in this review indicate new possibilities for the reclamation and management of salt-affected soils in the Brazilian semi-arid region. A case study is also presented, which demonstrates that the use of salt-affected soils is defined by technical, social, and economic aspects.

In semiarid regions of Brazil, water and/or soil salinity is one of the limiting factors for sour passion fruit production. Low rainfall rates combined with edaphic conditions (high concentrations of soluble salts) intensify deleterious effects on plants. Thus, strategies that minimize the effects of salt stress, e.g., grafting with tolerant species and soil mulching, are extremely important to ensure the expansion of irrigated fruit farming in this region. From this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of grafting and mulching on the quantum yield, ionic relations, and fruit production of sour passion fruit irrigated with moderately saline water. The experiment was conducted under field conditions in split plots, in a 2 × (2 × 2) factorial arrangement to evaluate the combination of low and moderate salinity water (main plot) with the propagation method (seeds and grafting on P. cincinnata) and without and with plastic mulching (subplots), with four replications and three plants per plot. The ionic relations in passion fruit leaves were increased with the use of rootstocks and plastic mulching under irrigation with moderately saline water. The use of mulching increased the yield of photosystem II in sour passion fruit. The passion fruit plants propagated by seeds had 187.52% more fruits than those grafted onto P. cincinnata. The use of rootstocks with P. cincinnata in sour passion fruit restricted the uptake of Na and Cl but reduced fruit production.

ABSTRACT The search for techniques that maximize the use of water is becoming necessary for the sustainability of agriculture in semi-arid areas. In this sense, the present work aimed to evaluate the effects of soil protection against water loss and the use of bovine biofertilizer on fruit production and chlorophyll content in bell pepper plants. The experiment was conducted in the municipal district of Nova Floresta in the semi-arid region of the State of Paraíba during the period of August 2010 to February 2011. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four repetitions in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to soil without and with bovine biofertilizer, without and with mulch, and without and with side coating of the grooves with polyethylene film, to reduce water loss through evaporation and lateral movement of water. The results showed that the use of side coatings of the grooves led to greater production, generating productivity gains in bell pepper cultivation. The association between side coating of the grooves and mulching of the soil resulted in increased levels of chlorophyll, but the bovine biofertilizer × side coating × mulch interaction inhibited the production of chlorophyll in the plants.

The Brazilian semiarid region stands out in terms of sour passion fruit production. Local climatic conditions (high air temperature and low rainfall), combined with its soil properties (rich in soluble salts), increase salinity effects on plants. This study was carried out in the experimental area “Macaquinhos” in Remígio-Paraíba (Brazil). The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of mulching on grafted sour passion fruit under irrigation with moderately saline water. The experiment was conducted in split-plots in a 2 × (2 × 2) factorial scheme to evaluate the effects of the combination of irrigation water salinity of 0.5 dS m−1 (control) and 4.5 dS m−1 (main plot), passion fruit propagated by seed and grafted onto Passiflora cincinnata, with and without mulching (subplots), with four replicates and three plants per plot. The foliar Na concentration in grafted plants was 90.9% less than that of plants propagated via seeds; however, it did not affect fruit production. Plastic mulching, by reducing the absorption of toxic salts and promoting greater absorption of nutrients, contributed to greater production of sour passion fruit. Under irrigation with moderately saline water, the plastic film in the soil and seed propagation promote higher production of sour passion fruit.

ABSTRACT The yellow passion fruit is grown under different edaphoclimatic conditions. Irrigation standardizes and increases the development and productivity of the plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological and productive aspects of yellow passion fruit with application of hydroabsorbent polymer at different irrigation depths. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement. The treatments were soil with and without polymer and five dephts of irrigation (60 to 100% of crop evapotranspiration). Initial, maximum, and variable chlorophyll fluorescence, physiology (photosynthetic rate, internal carbon concentration, transpiration, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency) and production of yellow passion fruit were the variables analyzed. The hydrogel probably retained water in its structure, reducing the ability to dissipate excess energy. Setting the irrigation depth at an estimated 82% of crop evapotranspiration increased photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and water use efficiency of yellow passion fruit plants. Maximum yield was 17.2 t ha-1 in irrigated plants at 100% evapotranspiration (ETc) in soil without hydrogel.

The poor chemical quality of water, especially in arid and semiarid regions, almost always precludes the practice of irrigated agriculture, thus demanding the adoption of techniques that mitigate the deleterious effects of excess salt on soil and plants. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of nitrogen fertilization in mitigating the negative effects of excess salt in irrigation water on the growth of yellow passion fruit seedlings grown in a greenhouse in plastic tubes containing 0.65 dm3 of substrate. The treatments were organized in randomized blocks, in accordance with a 5 × 3 factorial scheme – five electrical conductivities of irrigation water (0.3, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 dS m?1) combined with three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (no nitrogen fertilization and 150 mg dm?3 of N derived from either ammonium sulfate or urea). Evaluations were performed 80 days after sowing and consisted of measuring the seedling height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, leaf concentration of chlorophyll a and b and total chlorophyll, specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, and Dickson quality index. An increase in the electrical conductivity of irrigation water hindered the production of yellow passion fruit seedlings. Nitrogen fertilization, with urea or ammonium sulfate, mitigated the effects of irrigation water salinity and favored the growth and quality of yellow passion fruit seedlings. Yellow passion fruit seedlings with a minimum quality standard (DQI) can be produced with irrigation water with salinity of 1.8 dS m?1, which means they can be considered as moderately sensitive. The higher quality provided by nitrogen to the yellow passion fruit seedlings made them more tolerant to salinity, allowing the use of water with salinity of 2.1 and 2.5 dS m?1 under fertilization with ammonium sulfate and urea, respectively.

A adequação na época de cultivo associada às práticas culturais pode mitigar os efeitos negativos da salinidade à produção agrícola. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar componentes de produção de melancia cv. Crimson Sweet sob efeitos da irrigação com água salina, cobertura do solo e doses de potássio nos cultivos em épocas de estiagem e chuvosa. Os tratamentos foram organizados em parcela subdividida no esquema 2 x 2 x 4, sendo a condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação (0,3 e 3,0 dS m-1) a parcela principal, e as combinações entre cobertura morta do solo (sem e com) e doses de potássio (0, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha-1 de K2O) as subparcelas, distribuídos em blocos casualizados. Avaliou-se o estande final, número de frutos por planta, massa média dos frutos, produção por plantas e produtividade. Os dados foram submetidos as análises de variância e as doses de potássio avaliadas por regressão. Na época chuvosa, a melancieira foi mais produtiva que no período de estiagem mesmo sob irrigação, com maior número de frutos, produção por planta e maior produtividade. A irrigação com água de 3,0 dS m-1 de condutividade elétrica pode ser recomendada com moderação na cultura da melancieira, visto que não comprometeu a produtividade. A aplicação de cloreto de potássio não é recomendada em solo com teor médio de potássio, pois reduziu o número de frutos por planta e a produtividade. O uso de cobertura morta é indicado no cultivo de melancieira, uma vez que aumentou o número de frutos e a produção por planta.

O excesso de sais na água e/ou no solo é um fator crítico que afeta adversamente a fisiologia, o crescimento e limita a produção dos cultivos no semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro. Uma forma de reduzir o efeito do estresse salino sobre as plantas é o uso da adubação com silício. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar as trocas gasosas, o crescimento e a produção do quiabeiro cv. Valença em função da irrigação com águas salinas e doses de silício. O experimento foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetação no município de Pombal-PB. Adotou-se o delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, sendo cinco níveis de condutividade elétrica da água – CEa (0,3; 1,0; 1,7; 2,4 e 3,1 dS m-1) e duas doses de adubação silicatada (100 e 200 g de Si planta-1) com quatro repetições. O estresse salino aumentou a concentração intercelular de CO2 na câmera subestomática e reduziu a taxa de assimilação de CO2, a eficiência instantânea de carboxilação, o crescimento e a produção das plantas de quiabeiro. A eficiência intrínseca no uso da água e o peso médio de frutos do quiabeiro não foram influenciados pela irrigação com águas salinas e doses de silício. O fornecimento de 200 g planta-1 de silício diminuiu o efeito deletério do estresse salino sobre a condutância estomática e a área foliar de quiabeiro, aos 45 dias após a semeadura, no entanto, não aumentou produção da cultura.

Water scarcity and water quality is a subject of constant debate around the world, with the accumulation of salts in water and on soils causing a negative impact on food production, man and herds, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. The use of bovine manure biofertilizers that potentiate the use of brackish water, normally restricted in agriculture due to its salinity, has been suggested for seedling formation and crop production, including jackfruit plants. An experiment was carried out from October/2012 to February/2013, in a protected environment, at Agrarian Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia county, Paraíba State, Brazil, to evaluate the effects of saline water and bovine biofertilizer chemically enriched with gypsum, cow's milk and molasses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five replications of a plant, in a factorial scheme 5 × 2, corresponding at values of electrical conductivity of the water of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1 substrate with and without bovine biofertilizer. Measurements were made of substrate salinity, height of growth, stem diameter, length mean root, leaf area, leaf area ratio, and total dry mass (root, shoots and leaves). The biofertilizer enriched with cow's milk, sugar cane molasses and agricultural gypsum increased the salinity of the soil; however, it attenuated the negative effects of the salts during establishment of jackfruit seedlings, to 95 days after emergence. All the growth variables studied were higher for seedlings developed in substrate with bovine biofertilizer chemically enriched.

Water scarcity and water quality is a subject of constant debate around the world, with the accumulation of salts in water and on soils causing a negative impact on food production, man and herds, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. The use of bovine manure biofertilizers that potentiate the use of brackish water, normally restricted in agriculture due to its salinity, has been suggested for seedling formation and crop production, including jackfruit plants. An experiment was carried out from October/2012 to February/2013, in a protected environment, at Agrarian Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia county, Paraíba State, Brazil, to evaluate the effects of saline water and bovine biofertilizer chemically enriched with gypsum, cow's milk and molasses. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five replications of a plant, in a factorial scheme 5 × 2, corresponding at values of electrical conductivity of the water of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1 substrate with and without bovine biofertilizer. Measurements were made of substrate salinity, height of growth, stem diameter, length mean root, leaf area, leaf area ratio, and total dry mass (root, shoots and leaves). The biofertilizer enriched with cow's milk, sugar cane molasses and agricultural gypsum increased the salinity of the soil; however, it attenuated the negative effects of the salts during establishment of jackfruit seedlings, to 95 days after emergence. All the growth variables studied were higher for seedlings developed in substrate with bovine biofertilizer chemically enriched.

Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.) has a great economic and productive potential in the semi-arid region of Brazil, due to the wide acceptance by consumers and quick financial return. The nitrate (NO3-) assimilation process in C3 plants such as zucchini is related to photorespiration, and Si accumulated near the stomata reduces the transpiration rate, making the photosynthesis cycle more efficient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen and silicon fertilization on growth, chlorophyll index, and chlorophyll a fluorescence of zucchini plants. The treatments were distributed in a split-plot scheme in a randomized block design with three replicates. The plot was arranged by silicon levels (0 and 6 g/plant) and the subplots constituted by five nitrogen levels (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1). Leaf, stem and total dry masses, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a/b ratio and chlorophyll a fluorescence were evaluated. The highest dry matter productions in zucchini were obtained in treatments without Si. Si and N application together positively influences the chlorophyll a/b ratio of zucchini plants. The interaction between Si and N positively influences the maximum fluorescence, variable fluorescence and quantum yield of photosystem II of zucchini plants.

Soil salinization is a problem commonly found in semi-arid regions. In addition, the problem of salinity is aggravated in clayey soils when accompanied by cycles of waterlogging in the rainy season or when excess irrigation is applied. In this work we evaluated the isolated and combined effects of soil salinity and waterlogging on the responses of young plants of ‘Green Dwarf’ coconut. The experiment was conducted under controlled environment in a complete randomized block design, arranged in split plots with five replications. The plots comprised five waterlogging cycles (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4), each with a duration of four days, and applied at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days into the experimental period, with the sub-plots consisting of five levels of soil salinity (1.70, 11.07, 16.44, 22.14 and 25.20 dS m-1). Response of coconut seedlings to waterlogging was dependent on the level of soil salinity, with waterlogging significantly impairing biomass accumulation and leaf expansion at low soil salinity levels, but causing no additional harm at elevated salinity. Leaf gas exchange was reduced mainly due to soil salinity, and this response was related to stomatal and non-stomatal effects. Seedlings of ‘Green Dwarf’ coconut used in this study were classified as moderately-tolerant to salinity when grown in soils with an electrical conductivity up to 11.07 dS m-1, having the potential to be used in revegetation programs of salt-affected areas, provided that these areas are not exposed to frequent waterlogging cycles.

Saline level of water or soil beyond the limit tolerated by crops may impair morphological, physiological, and biochemical processes of plants in general, including tamarind. This problem requires the adoption of management and input techniques to reduce the degenerative effects of salts on plant species. In this sense, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of bovine biofertilizers on biometric variables and chlorophyll contents in tamarind seedlings irrigated with saline water. The experiment was conducted from October 2012 to January 2013, in Areia, PB, Brazil, in a randomized block design with four replications and five plants per plot in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, consisting of electrical conductivity of water of 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 dS m?1 and soil without and with common and chemically enriched biofertilizers. Leaf area, shoot dry matter, and contents of chlorophyll a, b, total, and carotenoids were assessed at 100 days after sowing. The increased water salinity reduced leaf area and seedling biomass formation, with a higher intensity in the soil without biofertilizer. The addition of biofertilizers allows the formation of tamarind seedlings irrigated with water of a salinity not tolerated by them when cultivated in the soil without the tested inputs.

Irrigation with saline water is a worldwide necessity an excess of salts in water or in soil causes growth inhibition, and negatively affects the productivity of many crops. Application of nitrogen fertilizers may be a way of mitigating the effects of salts on plants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accumulation of biomass and the chlorophyll pigment content in jackfruit seedlings irrigated with water of increasing salinity level in soil with nitrogen sources. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks with four replicates and three plants per plot, arranged in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, related to electrical conductivity levels of the irrigation water of 0.3, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, in soil without nitrogen, with ammonium sulfate and with urea, in a split application 60 and 75 days after sowing. An increase in the salinity of the water increased the salinity levels of soil, which was intensified by a dose of 150 mg of N, mainly when applied in the form of ammonium sulfate, inhibiting dry matter production and chlorophyll content in jackfruit seedlings. The greatest reductions in chlorophyll a and b content occurred in jackfruit seedlings irrigated with water of 4.0 dS m-1 conductivity in the soil without nitrogen fertilization. Urea is the most suitable nitrogen source for the production of seedlings under conditions of high salinity.

The lack of good quality water for agriculture purposes regarding salts and quantity in relation to demand for the plants has, for more than 30 years, been forcing the use of restrictive water because of salinity issues in agricultural production systems worldwide. In Brazil, the situation is no different, in the semi-arid areas, there are reports of losses of seed germination, initial growth of seedlings and yield of crops of commercial importance due to the salinity of the water used in irrigation systems. Therefore, an experiment was carried out from June to September/2014 in a protected environment, with a plastic film on the upper base and a thin screen against insects on the sides, to evaluate the effects of salinity interaction between water irrigation and nitrogen fertilisation sources on soil salinity, initial plant growth and the quality of the jackfruit seedlings. The treatments were distributed in randomised blocks, in the factorial scheme 5 × 3, reference irrigation water of 0.3, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, in soil with and without ammonium sulfate and urea. An increase in the salinity of the irrigation water to 1.32 and 1.70 dS m-1 on the substrate without nitrogen stimulated an increase in the number of leaves and leaf area of the jackfruit seedlings. The ammonium sulfate was the nitrogen source that mainly contributed to the increase of soil salinity and to the reduction of the quality index of the seedlings. Despite the reduction of the Dickson quality index due to the salinity of the irrigation water and the nitrogen sources, the seedlings were suitable for cultivation.

Soil salinity and sodicity are global problems since both promote the physical, chemical and biological degradation of soil, jeopardising the productive capacity of agricultural fields. Inorganic correctives or organic inputs are applied as an attempt to reduce the problem, alongside the use of salt-tolerant plants. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of organic inputs on the growth of neem (Azadirachta indica) strains in saline-sodic soil after cutting. Treatments were arranged in a randomised block design, with four replicates in a 3 × 5 factorial. Organic inputs — bovine manure, common bovine biofertilizer (equal parts of water and fresh bovine manure) and chemically enriched biofertilizer (common biofertilizer components combined with plaster, sugarcane molasses and cow’s milk) — were applied only once, after soil washing, two days prior to seeding, at the levels of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% of the substrate volume. Except effects on the stem diameter, the most efficient input was bovine manure, with strong effects on the height increase and biomass yield of neem plants after cutting, especially in treatments at a level greater than 6%. The organic inputs, despite increasing the soil salinity and sodicity in the interval between washing and cutting, stimulated biometric growth and biomass formation in saline-sodic soil.

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of bovine biofertilizer on passion fruit production and fruit quality. We carried out an experiment in the city of Nova Floresta, Paraíba State, Brazil. It was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and three plants per plot. We adopted a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, which evaluated three passion fruit genotypes and five cattle biofertilizer doses. The assessed genotypes consisted of a local one (Guinezinho - LG) and two hybrids (BRS Gigante Amarelo - GA and BRS Sol do Cerrado - SC). We applied five rates of cattle biofertilizer (B) monthly at a constant volume of 5 L plant-1, after diluting in irrigation water (W) at an electrical conductivity of 1.4 dS m-1. The evaluated rates were 0% (100% irrigation water - 0B + 5W), 10% (1B + 9W), 20% (2B + 8W), 30% (3B + 7W) and 40% (4B + 6W). Every week, we sampled, counted and weighed fruit to gather data on fruit number per plant, pant production, and yield. At peak production, we also sampled two fruit randomly from each plot floor area. These fruits were used for determinations of the average mass in fruit, peel and pulp (seeds + juice), peel thickness, fruit diameter and length, pulp yield, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, pH and pulp electrical conductivity. As a result, we observed that the biofertilizer did not compromise both LG and GA production capacity. Overall, the biofertilizer doses provided quality characteristics superior to those required by the fruit market.

A crescente necessidade de se aumentar a produção de alimentos constitui um sério desafio científico-tecnológico e tem requerido a expansão de áreas cultivadas, inclusive com o aproveitamento de áreas degradadas, como os solos afetados por sais. Para isso, tem-se buscado alternativas para mitigar tais limitações, como o uso de biofertilizantes no processo de formação das mudas de nim. Na busca por métodos de controle alternativo e ecológico, considerados saudáveis e sustentáveis, destaca-se a utilização do nim, Azadirachta indica, associado aos insumos orgânicos em regiões semiáridas por possuir azadiractina como principal composto bioativo, capaz de atuar contra mais de 418 espécies de pragas por suas propriedades inseticidas. Um experimento foi conduzido em abrigo telado no município de Areia - PB, no período de janeiro a julho de 2016, a fim de avaliar os efeitos da irrigação suplementar com águas salinas sobre o crescimento absoluto das mudas de nim no solo com biofertilizante. Como substrato foi utilizado um Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo distrófico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com esquema fatorial 5x2x3, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram irrigados com cinco níveis de salinidade de água (0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; 6,0 dS m-1), no solo sem e com biofertilizante bovino comum fermentado, avaliados após três períodos: 30, 60 e 90 dias após emergência das plântulas para determinação da taxa de crescimento absoluto em AP, DC, IAF, MSR, MSPA e MST. O biofertilizante liquido fermentado depois de diluído foi aplicado uma única vez na proporção de 1:3, dois dias antes da semeadura, ao nível de 10% do volume do substrato. Os tratamentos com biofertilizante bovino fermentado proporcionaram melhores condições ao crescimento e desenvolvimento do nim por efeito osmótico do que no solo sem o insumo em função tempo.

Because of the food and industrial importance of tomato, it holds great significance, and is one of the most produced species using the hydroponic cultivation systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of nutrient solution on the production and quality of cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum ‘Samambaia’) grown in a hydroponic system in protected conditions. The experiment was conducted in pots filled with coconut fiber substrate using a randomized complete block design with four replications and six plants per plot. Five concentrations of nutrients were evaluated (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150% of the standard nutrient solution); the solutions produced the following electrical conductivities: 1.8, 2.0, 2.6, 3.4, and 3.9 dS m-1, respectively. At 90 days after transplanting, the tomato fruits were harvested, at which time the production variables and post-harvest quality of mature fruits were determined. The best production and post-harvest quality indexes of cherry tomatoes (‘Samambaia’) were found when using 111% of the standard nutrient solution, corresponding to the concentrations of 9.44, 2.44, 2.22, 6.44, 4.11, 2.44, and 2.78 mmolc L-1, of NO3-, NH4+, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively; and 66.6, 55.5, 14.4, 1.89, 0.56, and 0.44 mmolc L-1, of Fe, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Mo, respectively. Nutrient solutions with electrical conductivity above 2.89 dS m-1 severely reduced the fruit yield of cherry tomatoes.

Because of the food and industrial importance of tomato, it holds great significance, and is one of the most produced species using the hydroponic cultivation systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of nutrient solution on the production and quality of cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum ‘Samambaia’) grown in a hydroponic system in protected conditions. The experiment was conducted in pots filled with coconut fiber substrate using a randomized complete block design with four replications and six plants per plot. Five concentrations of nutrients were evaluated (50, 75, 100, 125, and 150% of the standard nutrient solution); the solutions produced the following electrical conductivities: 1.8, 2.0, 2.6, 3.4, and 3.9 dS m-1, respectively. At 90 days after transplanting, the tomato fruits were harvested, at which time the production variables and post-harvest quality of mature fruits were determined. The best production and post-harvest quality indexes of cherry tomatoes (‘Samambaia’) were found when using 111% of the standard nutrient solution, corresponding to the concentrations of 9.44, 2.44, 2.22, 6.44, 4.11, 2.44, and 2.78 mmolc L-1, of NO3-, NH4+, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S, respectively; and 66.6, 55.5, 14.4, 1.89, 0.56, and 0.44 mmolc L-1, of Fe, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Mo, respectively. Nutrient solutions with electrical conductivity above 2.89 dS m-1 severely reduced the fruit yield of cherry tomatoes.

RESUMO A utilização de água com teor salino elevado está se tornando uma alternativa à produção agrícola mundial, mas, para isso, há necessidade de tecnologias que reduzam os impactos no solo e no rendimento das culturas, como o emprego de lixiviação dos sais do solo ou o uso de espécies tolerantes à salinidade. Nessa direção, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento de plantas de noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) submetidas à irrigação e lavagem do solo com águas de salinidade crescente. O experimento foi desenvolvido em ambiente telado do Centro de Ciência Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba em Areia, PB, em blocos casualizados, com quatros repetições e duas plantas por parcela, usando o arranjo fatorial 5×2, referente a cinco valores de condutividade elétrica das águas de irrigação (0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; 6,0 dS m-1), combinados com presença e ausência de drenagem para a lavagem do solo e lixiviação dos sais. O aumento da condutividade elétrica das águas de irrigação elevou o caráter salino do solo para valores que comprometeram o crescimento biométrico e a produção de biomassa total das plantas de noni, independentemente da ausência ou presença de lixiviação dos sais, mas, com maior severidade, em todas as variáveis, no solo sem drenagem. As plantas do solo sem lixiviação dos sais não sobreviveram à irrigação com água de salinidade estimada de 5,28 dS m-1, não cresceram adequadamente em altura, diâmetro caulinar, emissão de folhas e área foliar e produziram baixos níveis de biomassa sob irrigação com água de condutividade elétrica 4,5 dS m-1.

A salinidade elevada das águas de boa parte dos mananciais hídricos do semiárido do Nordeste brasileiro contribui para reduzir o potencial produtivo da maioria das culturas alimentícias e não alimentícias. O acúmulo de sais no solo, além de comprometer as propriedades físicas e quími­cas do meio edáfico, reduz o potencial osmótico da solução do solo, restringindo a disponibilidade de água, resultando em desbalanço nutricional e toxicidade, prejudicando os processos metabólicos e fisiológicos das plantas. O uso de condicionadores orgânicos do solo, como os biofertilizantes, vem sendo testado em glicófitas como ferramenta de ajustamento osmótico das plantas aos sais. Com isso, essa Revisão de Literatura objetivou relatar estudos que tratem do estresse salino e concatenar algumas experimentações com biofertilizantes utilizados para mitigarem os efeitos depressivos dos sais nos componentes morfofisiológicos e produtivos de plantas glicófitas.

The use of saline water in agriculture has contributed to the expansion of irrigated areas, especially in arid and semiarid regions, where water deficits occur during various months of the year. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the emergence, growth, and flowering of the castor bean cultivar “BRS Energia” as a function of the cationic composition of irrigation water, including water containing single and multiple types of cations. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB, Brazil using drainage lysimeters filled with a sandy loam Ultisol. The experiment was set in a randomized block design, with four replicates each of six water salinity treatments: Control; Na+; Ca2+; Na+ + Ca2+; K+; and Na+ + Ca2+ + Mg2, totaling 24 experimental plots, each consisting of five plants. Plants in the control treatment were subjected to irrigation using water having low electrical conductivity (ECw = 0.6 dS m-1), while the plants receiving other treatments were irrigated using 4.5 dS m-1 water containing different ions. Emergence and growth were more affected by the ECw than by the cationic composition of the irrigation water. The order of the cations in the irrigation water, in terms of negative effects, was Na+ > Na+ + Ca+ > Ca2+ > Na+ + Ca2+ + Mg2+ > K+. The cationic composition of the irrigation water influenced the time interval for inflorescence development and the opening of flower buds of the castor bean cultivar “BRS Energia”, and the most pronounced effects were observed in plants irrigated with calcic water.

The diversity of soil fauna has been considered a key aspect for maintaining the structure and fertility of soils. The crops of Cocos nucifera L., Vigna unguiculata L. and Opuntia ficus indica Mill. are major crops for income generation in the semiarid. This study aimed to identify the population of macrofauna present in these crops. The study was conducted in the municipality of Parari, Paraíba State, Brazil, in February 2012 (rainy season). For soil macrofauna determination, the samples were collected in seven points, using Provid traps at the level of the soil surface. From the data obtained were quantified and calculated the number of groups, and the diversity and the uniformity by sthe Shannon (H) and Pielou (e) indexes. The data were submitted to analysis of variance (F test) and the means were compared by Tukey test at 5% and 1% probability. The most abundant taxa and that showed less Shannon and Pielou indexes were Hymenoptera, Coleoptera and Araneae respectively. Diplodia, Diptera and Thysanura had higher number of individuals in the cultivated area with C. nucifera, while the order Lepidoptera was higher in the culture O. ficus indica.

Due to the quantitative and qualitative limitation of water resources, saline water irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilisation can contribute positively to the expansion of sunflower cultivation in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate production components and yield of sunflower, cv. „Embrapa 122 - V2000‟, irrigated with waters of different salinity levels (electrical conductivity – ECw) and fertilised with varying amounts of N in a field experiment in an eutrophic Quartzarenic Neosol from November 2012 to February 2013. The experiment was performed in a completely randomised block design in split plots, in a 5 x 4 factorial scheme, which corresponded to five ECw levels (0.15, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 dS m - 1 ) and four N levels (60, 80, 100 and 120 kg ha - 1 ), with three replicates and 30 plants per plot. The interaction between water salinity levels and N did not have significant effects on the studied variables; irrigation water salinity had isolated negative effects on the total number of achenes, number of viable achenes, productivity and oil yield of achenes. The increase in N levels stimulated the total number and the number of viable achenes, the mass of 1,000 achenes, capitulum diameter and productivity of achenes of sunflower, cv. „Embrapa 122 - V2000‟, but had no effect on the oil content of achenes. N levels of up to 100 kg ha - 1 promoted adequate oil content in the achenes of sunflower, cv „Embrapa 122 - V2000‟.

Esse experimento foi conduzido entre setembro de 2009 e abril de 2010 no município de Remígio, PB, para se avaliar alterações de atributos químicos do solo sob irrigação de água salina no maracujazeiro amarelo (Passiflora edulis) associados a técnicas de mitigação da salinidade. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2, referente à irrigação com água não salina (0,5 dS m-1) e salina (4,5 dS m-1), sem e com biofertilizante bovino, sem e com cobertura morta, com três repetições e três plantas por parcela, em recipientes plásticos circulares utilizados como lisímetros de pressão, com 130 dm3 de volume e drenos na parte inferior para a lixiviação do excesso de sais. Foram analisadas as variáveis químicas do solo quanto ao seu pH da solução do solo os teores de Cálcio, Magnésio, a acidez potencial do solo H+ + Al3+e relação Ca2/mg2+ no solo. A água salina e o biofertilizante elevam e a cobertura morta reduz a condutividade elétrica do solo. As plantas sob estresse salino apresentam atividade fotoquímica do fotossistema II e fotossíntese líquida inibidas, resultando em menores massas médias dos frutos e produção da cultura. A elevada abscisão das flores resulta na baixa produtividade das plantas, com maiores prejuízos nos tratamentos com água salina, sem biofertilizante e sem cobertura morta. O consumo hídrico é reduzido nas plantas sob estresse salino e a eficiência agronômica do uso de água é superior nas plantas tratadas com biofertilizante e no solo com cobertura morta.

This work aimed to study the effect of chemical and organic conditioners on the chemical attributes of a saline-sodic soil and on the initial growth of two castor bean cultivars. Two experiments were performed in the green house of the Center of Human and Agrarian Sciences of the Paraíba State University (CCHA-UEPB), Campus IV, Catolé do Rocha-PB. In the first experiment, an entirely randomized experimental design with five treatments [(saline – sodic soil without conditioners (SSC), saline – sodic soil + biofertilizer at 10% of the soil volume (SS + B), saline – sodic soil + chalk at 100% of the chalk requirement (SS + C), saline – sodic soil + chalk + biofertilizer (SS + C + B), and non-saline soil (NSL)] and eight replicates was adopted. In the second randomized experiment the treatments were displayed in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, referring to the five corrective treatments used in the first experiment and the two castor bean plant cultivars (BRS Nordestina and BRS Paraguaçu), with four replicates. The application of chalk combined with biofertilizer promoted a better initial development of the castor bean plant in comparison with other recovering treatments. This indicates the corrective effect of chalk on sodicity and of both treatments on the nutrient availability for the plants. The bovine biofertilizer alone did not reduce the sodicity of the sodic – saline soil. Under the evaluated conditions, the BRS Nordestina surpassed the BRS Paraguaçu.

The intensity of the stress caused in crops by salinity will largely depend on the level of tolerance of the species or cultivar, and on the management strategies used. The aim of this study therefore, was to evaluate growth and physiological response in two cultivars of the cowpea, irrigated with saline water and subjected to different levels of potassium under sheltered conditions. Seeds of the cultivars, EC 790 and EC 104 were used, which were exposed to increasing levels of salinity, using irrigation water with an electrical conductivity (CEa) of 0.8, 2.2, 3.6 and 5.0 dS m-1, and increasing rates of potassium (K) in the form of KCl (0.5,1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g KCl per pot). Readings were taken of leaf gas exchange and plant growth (length of main stem, stem diameter and total dry matter) at 47 and 55 days after planting (DAP) respectively. Increases in the salinity of the irrigation water reduced the length of the main stem, the stem diameter and total dry matter in both cultivars. The larger levels of potassium together with the salinity resulted in a depressive effect on the growth of the main stem and on stomatal conductance, compared to the isolated effect of salinity, indicating an enhanced osmotic effect. The existence of an interaction between salinity and potassium is an indication that the optimal level of the nutrient depends on salinity levels in the root zone of the plants, and is important information in the management of crops in saline environments. = A intensidade do estresse causado pela salinidade nas culturas irá depender, principalmente, do nível de tolerância da espécie ou cultivar e das estratégias de manejo utilizadas. Dessa forma, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o crescimento e as respostas fisiológicas de duas cultivares de feijão-caupi, irrigadas com água salina e submetidas a diferentes níveis de potássio, em condições de ambiente protegido. Foram utilizadas sementes das cultivares CE 790 e CE 104, as quais foram submetidas a níveis crescentes de salinidade, utilizando-se água de irrigação com condutividade elétrica (CEa) de 0,8; 2,2; 3,6 e 5,0 dS m-1 e doses crescentes de potássio (K) na forma de KCl (0,5; 1,0; 2,0 e 4,0 g por vaso KCl). Aos 47 e aos 55 dias após o plantio (DAP) foram realizadas leituras das trocas gasosas foliares e de crescimento das plantas (comprimento da haste principal, diâmetro do caule e matéria seca total), respectivamente. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação reduziu o comprimento da haste principal, diâmetro do caule e matéria seca total, em ambas as cultivares. As maiores doses de potássio em conjunto com a salinidade proporcionaram efeito depressivo no crescimento da haste principal e na condutância estomática, em comparação ao efeito isolado da salinidade, sendo um indicativo da intensificação dos efeitos osmóticos. A existência de interações entre salinidade e potássio é um indicativo de que a dose ótima desse nutriente depende da salinidade na zona radicular das plantas, sendo uma informação importante para o manejo de cultivos em ambientes salinos.

O noni tem sido utilizado desde a Antiguidade para o tratamento de uma série de doenças tais como, alergia, artrite, asma, câncer, depressão, diabetes, má-digestão, hipertensão e insônia e utilizado como suplemento alimentar. Apesar dessas propriedades e da sua adaptabilidade intercontinental, as informações a respeito das exigências nutricionais e do manejo agronômico da cultura ainda são pouco frequentes na literatura internacional e nacional. Nesse sentido, o trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do esterco bovino e da adubação potássica no estado nutricional de plantas de noni. O experimento foi desenvolvido no período de julho de 2009 a julho de 2010, na Chácara Pau Brasil, São Luís – MA. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com três repetições e duas plantas por parcela. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em arranjo fatorial 2 x 4, referente à ausência e presença de adubação potássica (130 kg ha-1 de K2O) no solo com quatro doses de esterco bovino (0, 1,7, 6,6 e 11,6 kg planta-1) fornecidas em cobertura na área de projeção da copa das plantas. Pelos resultados, exceto sobre cálcio e magnésio, a interação matéria orgânica e potássio contribuiu para aumentos dos teores foliares dos demais macro e micronutrientes nas plantas de noni. O estabelecimento de faixas de interpretação com teores de nutrientes adequados para noni se faz necessário para auxiliar as discussões de futuros estudos de adubação e nutrição da cultura.

A falta de água de boa qualidade para fins agrícola em relação aos sais e quantidade em relação à demanda pelas plantas tem, há mais de 30 anos, forçado o uso de água restritiva por problemas de salinidade em sistemas de produção agrícola em todo o mundo. No Brasil, a situação não é diferente; nas áreas semiáridas, há relatos de perdas de germinação de sementes, crescimento inicial de mudas e rendimento de culturas de importância comercial devido à salinidade da água utilizada em sistemas de irrigação. Assim, foi realizado um experimento de junho a setembro de 2014 em ambiente protegido, com filme plástico na base superior e tela fina nas laterais contra insetos, para avaliar os efeitos da interação salinidade entre irrigação e fontes de fertilização nitrogenada na salinidade do solo, crescimento inicial da planta e qualidade das mudas de jaqueira. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 5 × 3, referente às água de irrigação de 0,3; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0 dS m-1, em solo com e sem sulfato de amônio e ureia. O aumento na salinidade da água de irrigação para 1,32 e 1,70 dS m-1 no substrato sem nitrogênio estimulou aumento no número de folhas e área foliar das plântulas de jaqueira. O sulfato de amônio foi à fonte de nitrogênio que mais contribuiu para o aumento da salinidade do solo e para a redução do índice de qualidade das mudas. Apesar da redução do índice de qualidade de Dickson devido à salinidade da água de irrigação e das fontes de nitrogênio, as mudas estavam adequadas para o plantio.

Um experimento foi conduzido a céu aberto no município de Remígio, PB, para se avaliar as respostas do maracujazeiro amarelo relacionadas à eficiência fotossintética e trocas gasosas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 2, referente à irrigação com água não salina (0,5 dS m-1) e salina (4,5 dS m-1), sem e com biofertilizante bovino, sem e com cobertura morta, com três repetições e três plantas por parcela, em recipientes plásticos circulares utilizados como lisímetros de pressão, com 130 dm³ de volume e drenos na parte inferior para a lixiviação do excesso de sais. A irrigação com água de baixa salinidade e aplicação de biofertilizante bovino comum estimularam a eficiência fotossintética das plantas. O uso simultâneo de água de alta salinidade, biofertilizante e cobertura morta reduziram a condutância estomática do maracujazeiro amarelo. As plantas sob estresse salino apresentaram atividade fotoquímica do fotossistema II e fotossíntese líquida inibida.

Noni fruit has been used since antiquity for treatment of many diseases such as allergy, arthritis, asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes, digestion, hypertension, and insomnia and is used as food supplement. Although these properties and its intercontinental adaptability, information about nutrient exigency and crop management is still little frequent in international and national literature. In this direction an experiment was carried out, during the period of July/2009 to July/2010, in São Luis, Maranhão state, Brazil, in order to evaluate effects of manure and potassium fertilization of the soil on mineral composition in leaves dry matter of noni plants. The treatments were arranged in randomized blocks 2 x 4 referring to absence and presence potassium fertilization (130 kg ha-1 K2O) in soil with bovine manure levels (0, 1.7, 6.6 e 11.6 kg plant-1)applied in the area of plant projection . From the results, except in calcium and magnesium, the interaction bovine manure x K2O proportioned increment on the content of other macro and micronutrients in dry matter leaf of noni plants. The establishment of levels interpreting nutrient content suitable for noni is needed to assist the discussions of future studies of fertilization and crop nutrition.

The plants respond differently to the effects of salts in the distinct phases of their cycle, some grow and produce properly with economic viability in soils with high salinity, others, such as passion fruit development are compromised by the action of saline soil and irrigation water. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of salinity of irrigation water in soil treated with different frequencies of application of bovine biofertilizers on vegetative growth veal yellow passion fruit. The experiment was randomized block with treatments distributed in a 5 x 4 factorial design corresponding to levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water of 0.5; 1.5; 2.5; 3.5 and 4.5 dS m-1 and four frequencies of the application of bovine biofertilizer: absence of biofertilizer (SB); application of bovine biofertilizer one week before transplanting (1SAT); application every 90 days after transplanting (90DAT); and, applied one week before and every 90 days after transplanting (1SAT+90DAT). The electrical conductivity of irrigation water reducing the growth of passion fruit, delaying the timing of flowering of culture. The biofertilizer 1SAT and 1SAT+90DAT, the largest number of applications stimulated the growth of yellow passion fruit plants mitigating the effects of saline irrigation water. As plantas respondem diferenciadamente aos efeitos dos sais nas distintas fases do seu ciclo; algumas crescem adequadamente e produzem com viabilidade econômica em solos com salinidade elevada, outras, como o maracujazeiro amarelo, têm o desenvolvimento comprometido pela ação salina do solo e da água de irrigação. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de níveis crescentes de salinidade da água de irrigação em solo tratado com diferentes frequências de aplicação de biofertilizante bovino sobre o crescimento vegetativo do maracujazeiro amarelo. O experimento foi instalado em blocos casualizados, com os tratamentos distribuídos em arranjo fatorial 5 x 4, correspondente aos valores de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação: 0,5; 1,5; 2,5; 3,5 e 4,5 dS m-1 e quatro frequências de aplicação do insumo: sem biofertilizante (SB); uma semana antes do transplantio (1SAT); a cada 90 dias a partir do transplantio (90DAT); e, uma semana antes e a cada 90 dias apos o transplantio (1SAT+90DAT). O efeito da condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação reduziu o crescimento das plantas de maracujazeiro, atrasando o período de floração da cultura. O biofertilizante aplicado 1SAT e 1SAT+90DAT estimulou o crescimento das plantas de maracujazeiro amarelo atenuando os efeitos salinos da água de irrigação.

A espécie Parkinsonia aculeata L. ocorre em zonas áridas, semiáridas e subúmidas, encontrando-se dispersa em várias regiões do planeta, onde é empregada em diferentes usos. Porém, em determinados ambientes, como caatinga e ecossistemas associados do Nordeste brasileiro, a espécie apresenta caráter invasor. Dessa forma, um experimento foi desenvolvido em abrigo telado para avaliar os efeitos da salinidade no comportamento germinativo e vegetativo de plantas de Parkinsonia aculeata. Inicialmente, o material de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo foi irrigado com água salina (0,2; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5; e 6,0 dS m-1). Em seguida, foram acondicionados 16 kg de cada substrato em vasos plásticos com capacidade para 21 L, e os tratamentos foram arranjados em blocos casualizados com nove repetições. Após a emergência, 10 dias após a semeadura, realizou-se o desbaste, deixando quatro plântulas por vaso. As variáveis avaliadas foram: emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, concentrações das clorofilas a, b e total, diâmetro do caule no nível do solo, altura e número de folhas, 69 dias após a semeadura. O aumento da salinidade no solo de não salino (CEes < 2 dS m-1) para ligeiramente salino (4 dS m-1 > CEes > 2 dS m-1) e moderadamente salino (8 dS m-1 > CEes > 4 dS m-1) estimulou a emergência, o crescimento inicial e a produção de clorofila nas plantas de Parkinsonia aculeata, ao contrário do que ocorre com a grande maioria das espécies. Em parte, isso explica o sucesso de sua proliferação em determinados sítios da caatinga.

A pinheira é uma das mais importantes representantes das anonáceas, é cultivada na região do alto sertão paraibano sob regime de agricultura familiar sem adoção de práticas agronômicas. Nesse sentindo, um experimento foi desenvolvido, no período de agosto a dezembro de 2011, em ambiente telado na Universidade Estadual da Paraíba, Catolé do Rocha, Paraíba, para avaliar os efeitos de insumos orgânicos e volumes de substrato na formação de mudas de pinheira. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x4x2, referente aos volumes de substrato de 1 e 2 L, quatro doses de esterco bovino aos níveis de 0; 25; 50 e 75% do volume, na presença e ausência de biofertilizante bovino aplicado em volume correspondente a 10% do volume do substrato com três repetições. As variáveis avaliadas, aos 125 dias após a semeadura foram: altura de muda, diâmetro do colo, área foliar, matéria seca da parte aérea, matéria seca da raiz, matéria seca total e relação entre os valores da matéria seca das raízes e parte aérea das plantas. Pelos resultados obtidos, o esterco bovino com nível acima de 60% associado com o biofertilizante em substrato com 2L, resultou em maior crescimento e produção de matéria seca das mudas de pinheira.

O trabalho foi desenvolvido para avaliar os efeitos de dois solos submetidos a níveis de disponibilidade de água e idade de corte nos componentes de crescimento vegetativo e composição bromatológica em plantas de jureminha (Desmanthus virgatus L. Willd.). Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em arranjo fatorial 2 x 4 em delineamento de blocos casualizados com doze repetições, com os fatores: dois solos, sendo um da região úmida do município de Alagoinha e outro da região semiárida do município de São João do Cariri, ambos no Estado da Paraíba; quatro níveis de disponibilidade de água (40; 60; 80 e 100% de água disponível) e quatro idades de corte (60; 90; 120 e 150 dias após a emergência das plântulas) conduzidos em casa-de-vegetação do CCA/UFPB, Areia-PB. O aumento da água disponível no solo estimula o crescimento das plantas, mas inibe a produção de proteína bruta da jureminha. As plantas cresceram mais e produziram menos proteína bruta no solo de São João do Cariri em relação ao solo de Alagoinha.The study was developed to evaluate the effects of two soil-types under different levels of water availability and cropping ages on the components of vegetative growth and chemical composition of jureminha plants (Desmanthusvirgatus L. Willd.). The treatments were distributed in a 2 x 4 factorial in a completely randomized block design with twelve replications of the factors: two soil types, one being from the humid region of the town of Alagoinha, and other from the semi-arid region of the town of São João do Cariri, both in the State of Paraíba; four levels of water availability (40, 60, 80 and 100% of the available water) and four cropping ages (60,; 90; 120 and 150 days after the emergence of seedlings), the study being carried out in a greenhouse at CCA / UFPB,in Areia, Paraíba. An increase in the water available in the soil stimulates plant growth but inhibits gross protein production in jureminha. Plants grew more, and produced less protein in the soil from São João do Cariri in relation to that from Alagoinha.

The adoption of management practices that reduce water losses is essential to conserve moisture and improve soil temperature, especially in arid and semiarid environments of the Brazilian Northeast, characterized by high evapotranspiration and the adoption of irrigation with saline water, which harms growth and yield of commercial crops. Given these factories, an experiment was conducted in Nova Floresta, Paraíba, from August 2010 to February 2011 in Oxisoil, in order to evaluate the production of bell pepper and soil moisture in grooves with side trim, and application of biofertilizer and mulch cattle. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications using a factorial 2 x 2 x 2 for the ground beef with and without biofertilizer, with and without residues of sisal fiber (Agave sisalana), with and without the side facing the grooves, to reduce lateral water losses by infiltration of water with polyethylene plastic film. From the results, the lining of the lateral grooves provided higher values of soil moisture, number of fruits, fruit mass, plant production and productivity, bell pepper plants. It was also found that the combination of biofertilizer and mulch the ground beef remained wetter in the first 15 cm depth.

The salinity is considered the major constraint to agriculture worldwide, constituting a limiting factor to growth, plant development, agricultural productivity and soil deterioration. In this direction an experiment was carried out during the period October/2009 to February/2010, in greenhouse conditions in Areia county, Paraiba State, PB, Brazil, in order to evaluate the effects of water saline on initial growth of papaya Hawaii in non-saline substrate with bovine rich biofertilizer. The substrate was material of the first 0.10 m of a Regolitic Entisol non saline. The treatments were distributed in completely randomized in six replication using the factorial design 5 x 2, corresponding to levels of irrigation water saline: 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, in soil without and with rich biofertilizer applied to soil in liquid form one time two days before seed sowing, at level of 10% of the substrate volume. The increment of salinity water irrigation inhibited alls variables studied in papaya’s plants, but with less range in treatments with bovine biofertilizer.A salinidade é considerada um dos principais entraves para agricultura em todo mundo, constituindose num dos fatores limitantes ao crescimento, desenvolvimento das plantas, produtividade agrícola e depauperamento do solo. Nesse sentido, um experimento foi desenvolvido no período de Outubro de 2009 a Fevereiro de 2010, em ambiente telado, no município de Areia – PB, para avaliar a influência da salinidade da água de irrigação no crescimento do mamão Havaí em substrato não salino com biofertilizante rico. O substrato utilizado foi o material dos primeiros 0,10 m de um NEOSSOLO REGOLITICO não salino. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, referente aos valores de condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação: 0,5; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0 dS m-1, em solo sem e com biofertilizante líquido, com seis repetições. O biofertilizante rico, depois de diluído em água não salina (0,5 dS m-1) na razão de 1:1 foi aplicado uma única vez, dois dias antes da semeadura, em nível de 10% do volume do substrato. O aumento da salinidade da água de irrigação provocou perdas sobre todas as variáveis avaliadas nas plantas, mas com menor intensidade nos tratamentos com biofertilizante.

The culture of passion fruit presented in recent years expansion of cultivated area, driven mainly by increased domestic consumption of fresh fruit and the juice processed. The Brazil is the largest world producer and consumer of the yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg.), but domestic production did not supply the market demand agribusiness. This work aimed to objective evaluates the effects of different electric conductivities of the irrigation water (ECiw), associated to application frequencies of bovine biofertilizer on physical quality of fruits and production of the yellow passion fruit plants. The treatments were distributed in randomized blocks with three repetitions, using the factorial design 5 x 4, referring to levels of ECiw of 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 dS m-1, and four frequencies of application of the biofertilizer bovine: without bovine biofertilizer (WBB); with bovine biofertilizer applied one week before of the transplanting (1WBT); application at each interval of 90 days after transplanting (90DAT); and, bovine biofertilizer applied one week before and each interval of 90 days after transplanting (1WBT+90DAT). The increase of the saline concentration of the irrigation water provoked losses of production and physical qualities of the fruits yellow passion fruit plant, being more drastic in the superior conductivity to 2,5 dS m-1. However, reduction of the losses was verified in the treatments with them largest frequency of application of the biofertilizante, resulting in fruits with quality and compatible production with to the demands of the market to the natural and of the industrial section. A cultura do maracujazeiro apresentou nos últimos anos expansão da área cultivada, motivada, principalmente, pelo aumento do consumo interno da fruta in natura e pelo suco processado. Atualmente o Brasil é o maior produtor e consumidor mundial do maracujá amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Deg.), no entanto, a produção nacional não supriu a demanda do mercado agroindustrial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes condutividades elétricas da água de irrigação (CEai), associadas às épocas de aplicação de biofertilizante, sobre a produção e a qualidade física de frutos de maracujá amarelo. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em arranjo fatorial 5 x 4, referentes aos valores de CEai: 0,5; 1,5; 2,5; 3,5 e 4,5 dS m-1, em quatro épocas de aplicação do biofertilizante: sem a aplicação do biofertilizante (SB); aplicação realizada uma semana antes do transplantio (1SAT); aplicação a cada 90 dias a partir do transplantio (90DAT); aplicação uma semana antes e a cada 90 dias após o transplantio (1SAT+90DAT). O aumento da concentração salina da água de irrigação provocou perdas da produção e das qualidades físicas dos frutos do maracujazeiro amarelo, sendo mais drástico na condutividade superior a 2,5 dS m-1. No entanto, foi verificada redução das perdas nos tratamentos com as maiores frequências de aplicação do biofertilizante, resultando em frutos com qualidade e produção compatíveis com as exigências do mercado ao natural e do setor industrial.

No período de agosto de 2009 a julho de 2010 foi desenvolvido um experimento em um pomar de pinheira (Annona squamosa L.), no município de Remígio, PB com o objetivo de avaliar os teores de macro e micronutrientes no tecido foliar das plantas em solo com esterco bovino e cama de frango. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos casualizados, com parcelas subdivididas no tempo, com três repetições e duas plantas por parcela, em esquema fatorial 2 × 5 × 2, referente a duas fontes de matéria orgânica de origem animal (esterco de bovino e cama de frango), cinco doses de matéria orgânica em volume (0,0; 3,5; 5,3; 7,1 e 8,9%) e duas épocas de avaliação das plantas aos 36 e 48 meses após o transplantio. As doses de matéria orgânica foram definidas com base no teor de matéria orgânica de cada fonte. Com exceção de magnésio e zinco, as fontes de matéria orgânica não diferiram estatisticamente sobre os teores dos demais nutrientes na matéria seca foliar das plantas. A maior acumulação de nutrientes na matéria seca das folhas da pinheira ocorreu na amplitude das doses entre 6,01 e 8,65% de matéria orgânica.From August 2009 to July 2010, an experiment was conducted in a sugar-apple orchard (Annona squamosa L.) in the town of Remigius PB, in order to evaluate the levels of macro and micronutrients and the leaf tissue of the plants in a soil treated with cattle manure and poultry litter. The treatments were distributed into randomized blocks, with plots split with time, three replications and two plants per plot, in a 2 × 5 × 2 factorial arrangement, corresponding to two sources of organic matter of animal origin (cattle manure and poultry litter), five doses of organic material by volume (0.0, 3.5, 5.3, 7.1 and 8.9%), and two periods of plant evaluation, 36 and 48 months after transplanting. The doses of organic material were set based on the organic-matter content of each source. With the exception of magnesium and zinc, the organic-matter sources did not differ statistically from the levels of other nutrients in the leaf dry-matter of the plants. The greatest accumulation of nutrients in the leaf dry-matter of the sugar apple was in the dosage-range of between 6.01 and 8.65% of organic matter.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência do biofertilizante bovino e cobertura morta vegetal no crescimento vegetativo do maracujazeiro amarelo irrigado com água não salina e salina em ambiente protegido contra perdas hídricas. O experimento foi conduzido no período de outubro de 2008 a abril de 2009, no município de Remígio, Paraíba. O delineamento estatístico foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 2x2x2, referente à água não salina (0,5 dS m-1) e salina (4,5 dS m-1), sem e com biofertilizante bovino, sem e com cobertura morta, com três repetições e três plantas por parcela. Avaliaram-se o período para poda do broto apical, taxa de crescimento absoluto em altura, comprimento de internódio, número de ramos produtivos e diâmetro do caule das plantas. O aumento do nível de salinidade da água, independentemente da adição do biofertilizante, inibiu o crescimento das plantas. O período do transplantio à poda do broto apical das plantas irrigadas com água salina e o uso do biofertilizante foi antecipado em 8,16 dias. O maior crescimento em altura do maracujazeiro amarelo ocorreu no solo com biofertilizante e cobertura morta.

O experimento foi desenvolvido em abrigo protegido no período de 1 de maio a 31 de julho de 2008, no município de Areia, estado da Paraíba, PB, Brasil, com objetivo de estudar os efeitos da salinidade da água de irrigação sobre o comportamento inicial de mudas de maracujazeiro amarelo em substrato não salino com e sem biofertilizante bovino. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições e doze plantas por parcela, em arranjo fatorial 5 x 2 x 2, referente aos níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação: 0,5; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0 dS m-1, no solo sem e com biofertilizante bovino em duas idades das plantas (25 e 65 dias após a emergência das plântulas). Foram avaliados o crescimento das mudas e a condutividade elétrica do solo ao final do experimento. O biofertilizante foi aplicado, uma única vez, após diluído em água de baixa salinidade na razão de 1:1, dois dias antes da semeadura, ao nível de 10% do volume dos substratos. O aumento da salinidade das águas inibiu o crescimento em altura das mudas, área foliar e comprimento radicular, mas, em qualquer circunstância, com menor intensidade nos tratamentos com o biofertilizante. O aumento da condutividade elétrica da água de irrigação elevou a salinidade do solo, independentemente da adição do biofertilizante.The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse from May 1 to July 31, 2008, in Areia county, Paraiba State, PB, Brazil, in order to evaluate the effects of irrigation water salinity on initial growth of the passionfruit seedlings in non-saline substrate with and without bovine biofertilizer. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design, with three replications and twelve plants per plots, in a factorial arrangement 5 x 2 x 2, corresponding the former to the levels of salinity in the irrigation water: 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, in soils with and without bovine biofertilizer applied at two moments (25 and 65 days after seedling emergence). The growth of the seedlings and the soil electrical conductivity were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The biofertilizer was diluted in a low saline water at a 1:1 ratio and was applied once two days before sowing, corresponding to 10% of the substrates volume. The increase in water salinity inhibited the growth in height of plants, leaf area and root length, but always to a lesser extent in the treatments with bovine biofertilizer. The increase in electrical conductivity of the irrigation water elevated the soil salinity, independently of the addition of biofertilizer.

Um experimento foi conduzido em abrigo telado no DSER/CCA/UFPB, no período de Maio/Julho de 2008, para avaliar os efeitos da salinidade da água de irrigação e do biofertilizante bovino no crescimento das mudas de maracujazeiro-amarelo (Passiflora edulis Sims). Os tratamentos foram distribuídos no DIC e 12 plantas por parcela, com três repetições, usando o arranjo fatorial 5 x 2 x 2, referente aos níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação: 0.5; 1,0; 2,0; 3,0 e 4,0 dS m-1, no solo sem e com biofertilizante bovino, avaliando aos 25 e 65 dias após emergência das plântulas. Determinando a altura de plantas, diâmetro do caule, massa seca da parte aérea, raiz e total. O aumento da salinidade das águas inibiu o crescimento absoluto e relativo das plantas avaliado pela altura, diâmetro do caule, matéria seca da parte aérea, raízes e total, mas, em qualquer situação, com menor intensidade nos tratamentos com o biofertilizante.An experiment was carried out under greenhouse in DSER/CCA/UFPB, in period May-July 2008, Paraiba state, Brazil, in order to evaluate the effects of salinity water irrigation and bovine biofertilizer on inittial growth of passion fruit Passiflora edulis Sims seedlings. The treatments were distributed competed randomized design, with three repetitions, in factorial arrangement 5 x 2 x 2, refering at levels of irrigation water salinity: 0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4.0 dS m-1, in soil without and with bovine biofertilizer and evaluations made at ages of 25 and 65 days after seedling emergence. For assessing growth the plants’s height, stem diameter, dry matter of the part aerea, roots and dry matter total of the yellow passion fruit plants, but in every condition with low intensity in treatment with bovine biofertilizer.

Os efeitos deletérios provocados pelo estresse salino resultam em modificações nos mecanismos bioquímicos e fisiológicos das plantas, alterando, dentre outros, os teores foliares de clorofila e carotenoides, comprometendo a atividade fotossintética e, consequentemente, o crescimento, o desenvolvimento, a produção e a adaptabilidade aos ambientes adversos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes condutividades elétricas da água de irrigação (CEai), associadas às épocas de aplicação de biofertilizante, sobre os teores de pigmentos fotossintéticos para a determinação dos pigmentos cloroplastídicos (clorofila a, b, total e carotenoides) do maracujazeiro-amarelo. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em arranjo fatorial 5 x 4, referentes aos valores de CEai: 0,5; 1,5; 2,5; 3,5 e 4,5 dS m-1, em quatro épocas de aplicação do biofertilizante: sem biofertilizante (SB); aplicação uma semana antes do transplantio (1SAT); a cada 90 dias, a partir do transplantio (90DAT); uma semana antes e a cada 90 dias, após o transplantio (1SAT+90DAT). O aumento da concentração salina da água de irrigação reduziu a eficiência fotossintética nas folhas do maracujazeiro-amarelo, sendo mais drástico na condutividade superior a 2,5 dS m-1. As frequências de aplicação do biofertilizante não influenciaram nas concentrações dos pigmentos fotossintéticos.

A nutrição mineral é essencial para elevar a produtividade e melhorar a qualidade dos frutos de maracujazeiro-amarelo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação de biofertilizante comum sobre os teores de macronutrientes de plantas de maracujazeiro-amarelo irrigadas com água salina em solo sem e com adubação mineral. Os tratamentos foram distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições e quatro plantas por parcela. Foi usado o arranjo fatorial 4 × 2, relativo aos níveis de biofertilizante bovino fermentado, diluído em água, a 0,0; 33,3; 66,6 e 100%, em solo sem e com adubação mineral. A irrigação foi realizada pelo método de aplicação localizada por gotejamento com água salina, oriunda de poço amazonas, com condutividade elétrica média de 4 dS m-1. A aplicação de biofertilizante ao solo, exceto para cálcio, supriu adequadamente as plantas de maracujazeiro- amarelo em macronutrientes, mas com superioridade de valores nos tratamentos com adubação mineral.

A pitaya é uma cactácea de sub-bosque, originária de florestas tropicais do México e das Américas Central e do Sul, pouco estudada no Brasil, principalmente quanto à sua resposta à intensidade luminosa e adubação. Nesse sentido, realizou-se um experimento objetivando avaliar crescimento e desenvolvimento inicial da pitaya em função da intensidade luminosa e adubação orgânica. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados, com tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 5 x 3, referentes, respectivamente, aos níveis de adubação orgânica (0; 5; 10; 20 e 30 L de esterco bovino cova-1) e aos percentuais de luz (0; 50 e 75% de sombreamento), com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados semanalmente diâmetro do cladódio (mm), altura de estacas (cm) e comprimento do ramo secundário (cm); ao final do experimento, massa fresca da parte aérea e massas secas de raiz e parte aérea (g), sendo que para as variáveis mensuradas, semanalmente, foram calculados os respectivos incrementos percentuais semanais. Segundo os resultados do presente trabalho, no cultivo da pitaya, é necessário o uso de cobertura contra a incidência direta dos raios solares, onde as estruturas com 50% ou 75% de luminosidade podem ser usadas. O fornecimento de 20 L cova-1 de esterco bovino pode ser adotado como quantitativo no preparo de covas de pitaya, nas condições de clima e solo de Bom Jesus-PI.Pitaya is a hemiepiphytic cactus native to tropical rainforests of Mexico and Central and South America little studied in Brazil especially in relation to light intensity and fertilizing. In this way, an experiment was realized in 2007 aiming to evaluate the initial growth and development as a function of light intensity and organic fertilizing. A complete randomized blocks design was adopted with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement 5 x 3 referring respectively to organic fertilizing levels (0, 5, 10, 20 e 30 L of bovine manure plant-1) and light percentage (0, 50 e 75% of shade), with four repetitions. Stem diameter, plant height and length of the secondary shoot were evaluated weekly, instead of shoot and root dry mass and shoot fresh mass were determined at the end of the experiment. For week variables, the respective week increases were measured. For pitaya cultivation it's necessary a covering system with nets and those with 50% or 75% of light intensity should be used. The dose of 20 L plant-1 of bovine manure could be adopted as a quantitative for preparation of pitaya caves under soil and climate conditions of Bom Jesus, Piaui State, Brazil.

A pitaya é uma cactácea de sub-bosque, originária de florestas tropicais do México e das Américas Central e do Sul, pouco estudada no Brasil, principalmente quanto à sua resposta à intensidade luminosa e adubação. Nesse sentido, realizou-se um experimento objetivando avaliar crescimento e desenvolvimento inicial da pitaya em função da intensidade luminosa e adubação orgânica. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados, com tratamentos distribuídos em esquema fatorial 5 x 3, referentes, respectivamente, aos níveis de adubação orgânica (0; 5; 10; 20 e 30 L de esterco bovino cova-1) e aos percentuais de luz (0; 50 e 75% de sombreamento), com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados semanalmente diâmetro do cladódio (mm), altura de estacas (cm) e comprimento do ramo secundário (cm); ao final do experimento, massa fresca da parte aérea e massas secas de raiz e parte aérea (g), sendo que para as variáveis mensuradas, semanalmente, foram calculados os respectivos incrementos percentuais semanais. Segundo os resultados do presente trabalho, no cultivo da pitaya, é necessário o uso de cobertura contra a incidência direta dos raios solares, onde as estruturas com 50% ou 75% de luminosidade podem ser usadas. O fornecimento de 20 L cova-1 de esterco bovino pode ser adotado como quantitativo no preparo de covas de pitaya, nas condições de clima e solo de Bom Jesus-PI.