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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.

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.

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‟.

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.

An experiment was carried out at Remigio, State of Paraíba, Brazil, to assess the water requirements of yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Degener) from transplanting to fruiting irrigated with water without restriction salinity (0.5 dS m-1) and saline (4.5 dS m-1) in substrate with and without biofertilizer, with and without mulch. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial design 23, with three replications and three plants in lysimeters with 130 dm3 of substrate. In relation to witnesses, the use of organic raw material and the cover was reduced by 11.2% and 4.5% in water consumption of plants irrigated with water without restriction salinity and saline, respectively. In non-saline water interaction biofertilizer x mulch, plant water consumption to 2.76 mm day-1 in apical vegetative growth, 4.97 mm day-1 in growth and production of side branches and 5.65 mm day-1 on flowering and fruiting. In the periods of growth and production of side branches, flowering and fruiting, the water consumption of witnesses with water without restriction salinity are higher by 18.4% and 7.7%, respectively, of control plants irrigated with saline water. The electrical conductivity of the leached solution is enhanced by the use of saline water and the treatment without mulch. Plants irrigated with saline water present crop coefficients lower than those irrigated with water without restriction salinity.

In order to evaluate the effects of chemicals amendments sulphuric acid and gypsum to decrease sodicity in a saline-sodic soil of Irrigated Perimeter of Condado, Paraiba State, Brazil, an experiment was carried out in a green house of the Departamento de Solos e Engenharia Rural, Centro de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidade Federal da Paraiba, Areia, Paraiba State, Brazil. The experiment was conducted in 2x5 factorial design referring to chemical amendments sulphuric acid and gypsum at levels equivalent to 0; 1.8; 3.6; 5.4 and 7.2 g kg-1 of sulphate (SO4 -2). The chemical amendments exercised positive effects on reduction of exchangeable sodium percentage and pH in saturation extract evidencing improvement in relation to sodicit and alkalinity of the soil. The gypsum was superior to sulphuric acid in reduction of exchangeable sodium percentage and soluble sodium content in the soil solution.

A field experiment was developed in the period of April of 2000 to May of 2002, at the Experimental Station of Jiqui pertaining to the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte - EMPARN, Parnamirim city, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The work had as objective to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and potassium applied through irrigation water on the nutritional state of green dwarf coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L). The treatments had consisted of the combination through the experimental matrix of Plan Puebla III, 5 doses of N and 5 doses of K2O both oscillating of 135 the 2565 g plant -1 year -1 derived of the urea and white potassium chloride. The used experimental A field experiment was developed in the period of April of 2000 to May of 2002, at the Experimental Station of Jiqui pertaining to the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte - EMPARN, Parnamirim city, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The work had as objective to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and potassium applied through irrigation water on the nutritional state of green dwarf coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L). The treatments had consisted of the combination through the experimental matrix of Plan Puebla III, 5 doses of N and 5 doses of K2O both oscillating of 135 the 2565 g plant -1 year -1 derived of the urea and white potassium chloride. The used experimental delineation was of blocks at random with 4 repetitions and 5 plants for plots totalizing 40 experimental units. The plantation was made in the triangular spacing of 7.5 m between plants and 7.5 m between lines. When the plants were with 4, 4.5 and 5 years had been made three foliar material collections in two plants for parcel in 9 and 14 number leaves. With the results of the analyses proceeding from these collections they had extracted to the averages and was made the statistics analysis. In the samples, they were determined the N, K, P, Ca, Mg and Cl concentrations. Only the N presented concentration below of the critical level, the other P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl nutrients had presented its concentrations above of this level. There was not trend defined between 9 and 14 levels in relation to the N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Cl concentration. The N concentrations had increased proportionally and linearly and to the amount of N applied. The K concentrations had increased proportionally of quadratic form to the amount of applied N. The K concentrations had increased of quadratic form proportionally to the K doses and linearly to the N doses. There was no effect of the N and K doses on the Ca proportions, the Mg concentrations of Mg had diminished linearly with the rise of the N and K doses. The Cl concentrations had increased with the rise in the N and K doses. Considering the evaluated nutrients and the shown leaves, it is possible affirm that the plants were nutritiously were balanced.

Yellow passion fruit crop (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg.) and natural insume use on agriculture are increasing in Remígio county Paraíba State, Brazil. In this direction was carried out an experiment, during July 2005 to December 2006 in randomized blocks in order to evaluate the effects of absence and presence of biofertilizers comum (bovine manure fertilizer fresh and water) and supermagro (bovine manure, water, macronutrients and micronutrients), applied to soil on liquid form, in level of 2.4 L plant-1, 30 days before and two months after transplanting, in the absence and presence of mineral fertilizer with NPK, with three repetition and six plantas per set using a factorial designs 3x2. The biofertilizers show more reliable to growth than fruit production of yellow passion fruit. Biggest production corresponded to treatments with the use of mineral fertilizer, specially in the first production. Comum and supermagro biofertilizer gave significative effects on vegetative growth of plants of yellow passion fruit plant but had no influence on fruits production.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito dos componentes dos substratos em diferentes misturas submetidos à adubação fosfatada sobre a composição mineral de mudas de mangabeira. Este experimento foi executado no Centro de Ciências Agrárias, UFPB, localizado no município de Areia-PB. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com 17 tratamentos, três repetições, e unidade experimental constando de quatro mudas. Os substratos testados foram acondicionados em sacos de polietileno preto, composto de fibra de coco, com valores variando de 0 a 40 %, esterco bovino de 0 a 25,5 %, terra vegetal de 25 a 70 %, 15 % de areia e superfosfato triplo, nas doses de 0,0; 5,5 e 11,0 g L-1. Foi avaliada a composição mineral dos sistemas radiculares e na parte aérea das mudas aos 150 dias após a germinação das sementes, para os teores de macronutrientes e cobre. Aadição de esterco bovino e de superfosfato triplo provocaram o incremento dos teores de macronutrientes no sistema radicular e na parte aérea das mudas de mangabeira, ao contrário do efeito da adição de terra vegetal e fibra de coco. O teor de cobre na parte aérea das mudas aumentou com o incremento da concentração de terra vegetal e da fibra de coco no substrato. Recomenda-se a utilização das concentrações de 24 % de esterco, 51 % de terra vegetal, 10 % de fibra de coco, 15 % de areia e 8 g dm- 3 de superfosfato triplo, para obtenção dos máximos teores estimados de macronutrientes e de cobre no sistema radicular e na parte aérea de mudas de mangabeira.

A field experiment was developed in the period of April of 2000 to May of 2002, at the Experimental Station of Jiqui pertaining to the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Rio Grande do Norte - EMPARN, Parnamirim city, state of Rio Grande do Norte. The work had as objective to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and potassium applied through irrigation water on the vegetative behavior and productive of green dwarf coconut tree (Cocos nucifera L). The treatments had consisted of the combination through the experimental matrix of Pan Puebla III, 5 doses of N and 5 doses of K2O both oscillating of 135 the 2565g plant -1 year -1 derived of the urea and potassium chloride. The used experimental design was of blocks at random with 4 repetitions and 5 plants for plots totalizing 40 experimental units. The plantation was made in the triangular spacing of 7.5 m between plants and 7.5 m between lines. During the 5th year of culture, from April of 2001 to May of 2002 was quantified the number of fruits in the 13 harvest carried out. The referring variables to the vegetative development, height and circumference of stem, diameter of the top and leaf number, had been measured in May of 2002, in the end of the experiment. The stem circumference increased linearly with the increase of the doses of N and of quadratic form with the doses of K with the biggest value for the dose of 1350 g plants -1 year-1. The leaf number answered only the nitrogen applications. The growth in stem height had influence of N and K, however, data did not adjust to no mathematical model. The diameter of the top of the green dwarfed coconut palm did not suffer significant interference of no applied fertilizer through irrigation water. The number of fruits increased quadratically with the N and K doses. The maximum physical efficiency of the production, 154.75 fruits plants -1 year -1, it was reached with the doses of 1437 g plants -1 year -1 of N and 1553 g plants -1 year -1 of K.

This study was carried out in order to evaluate the production and nutritional status yellow passion fruit plants, cultivar IAC 273/277+275 in functions of the water depths irrigation and plants number by cave. The experiment was developed in randomized blocks, using split plot with three replications. The water depths irrigation of 5.3; 7.9; 10.5 and 13.1 mm were the plots and the plants number per hole 1, 2, 3 and 4 were the subplots. The water depths irrigation and plants number by cave exercise significant effect on fruits production but without effect on mineral composition in dry matter of plant leaves. The number of plants increased the production of fruits by cave but it decreased the unitary production by plant. In treatments with four plants per hole were cropped 150 fruits. The supply of water at level of 10.61 mm day-1 induced more production by yellow passion fruits in treatments with four plants per hole.

Yellow passion fruit crop (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg.) and natural insume use on agriculture are increasing in Remígio county Paraíba State, Brazil. In this direction was carried out an experiment, during July 2005 to December 2006 in randomized blocks in order to evaluate the effects of absence and presence of biofertilizers comum (bovine manure fertilizer fresh and water) and supermagro (bovine manure, water, macronutrients and micronutrients), applied to soil on liquid form, in level of 2.4 L plant-1, 30 days before and two months after transplanting, in the absence and presence of mineral fertilizer with NPK, with three repetition and six plantas per set using a factorial designs 3x2. The biofertilizers show more reliable to growth than fruit production of yellow passion fruit. Biggest production corresponded to treatments with the use of mineral fertilizer, specially in the first production. Comum and supermagro biofertilizer gave significative effects on vegetative growth of plants of yellow passion fruit plant but had no influence on fruits production.

An experiment was carried out, in order to evaluate the saline aspect of the substrate with biofertilizer on seedling formation of yellow passion fruit irrigated with different saline water. A completely randomized design was used, with treatments distributed in a factorial arrangement 5 x 3 x 2, referring to water salinity levels (0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0 and 4,0 dS m-1), substrate volumes (1, 2 and 3 L), in absence and presence of biofertilizer bovine. The following variables were registered at the end of the experiment: pH, electrical conductivity of water and exchangeable sodium percentage. The increase of irrigation water salinity, independently of biofertilizer use, drastically enhanced the substrate salinity, from not saline to saline and strongly saline. No there was definition of the values of PST among substrate volumes. Electrical conductivity values of the saturation extract were higher for substrate with lower volume.