Nara Oliveira Silva Souza

Soybean cultivation holds national and international significance, necessitating sustainable production practices. This study evaluated the impact of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and cover crops on soybean yield components and grain yield. The experiment followed a randomized block design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with four replications. Treatments included the application of a PGPR combination (Bacillus sp. + Serratia marcescens) and five cover crops grown in the off-season: rice, corn, millet, Urochloa ruziziensis, and a cover crops mix. Over five agricultural seasons (2019/20–2023/24), we assessed the number of pods per plant, grains per pod, 100-grain mass, and grain yield. Cover crops did not influence yield components or grain yield. However, applying the PGPR mixture (Bacillus sp. BRM 63573 + Serratia marcescens BRM 32114) significantly improved 100-grain mass and grain yield. Among climatic factors, solar radiation was the primary determinant of grain yield variation. These findings highlight the potential of PGPR to enhance soybean production sustainably, while cover crops may require further investigation to optimize their role in this system.

O feijão-comum é uma cultura essencial para a segurança alimentar do Brasil, por isso existe o desafio de buscar o aumento da produtividade desses grãos com base em sistemas agrícolas sustentáveis. Este estudo avaliou o impacto de coberturas vegetais e rizobactérias multifuncionais na produtividade e na massa de 100 grãos de feijão-comum em sistema plantio direto, durante três safras (2022, 2023 e 2024). Utilizou-se delineamento em blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 5 × 2, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela aplicação ou não da solução microbiana (Bacillus sp. + Serratia marcescens) e com cinco coberturas vegetais (milheto, Urochloa ruziziensis, Mix de plantas de cobertura, arroz e milho). Os resultados mostraram que, na safra de 2024, o milho safrinha destacou-se como a melhor cobertura para produtividade de grãos, enquanto o mix apresentou desempenho consistente em 2023 e 2024. Para a massa de 100 grãos, o mix foi superior em 2024, e o milho teve melhor desempenho em 2022. No geral, a safra de 2024 foi a mais produtiva, refletindo avanços no manejo das coberturas vegetais e nas condições experimentais. Conclui-se que a escolha e o manejo adequados das coberturas vegetais, aliados ao uso estratégico de microrganismos benéficos, são fundamentais para a sustentabilidade e o aumento da produtividade em sistemas agrícolas.

The advancement of digital agriculture combined with computational tools and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has opened the way to large-scale data collection for the calculation of vegetation indices (VIs). These vegetation indexes (VIs) are useful for agricultural monitoring, as they highlight the inherent characteristics of vegetation and optimize the spatial and temporal evaluation of different crops. The experiment tested three coffee genotypes (Catuaí 62, E237 and Iapar 59) under five water regimes: (1) FI 100 (year-round irrigation with 100% replacement of evapotranspiration), (2) FI 50 (year-round irrigation with 50% evapotranspiration replacement), (3) WD 100 (no irrigation from June to September (dry season) and, thereafter, 100% evapotranspiration replacement), (4) WD 50 (no irrigation from June to September (water stress) and, thereafter, 50% evapotranspiration replacement) and (5) rainfed (no irrigation during the year). The irrigated treatments were watered with irrigation and precipitation. Most indices were highest in response to full irrigation (FI 100). The values of the NDVI ranged from 0.87 to 0.58 and the SAVI from 0.65 to 0.38, and the values of these indices were lowest for genotype E237 in the rainfed areas. The indices NDVI, OSAVI, MCARI, NDRE and GDVI were positively correlated very strongly with photosynthesis (A) and strongly with transpiration (E) of the coffee trees. On the other hand, temperature-based indices, such as canopy temperature and the TCARI index correlated negatively with A, E and stomatal conductance (gs). Under full irrigation, the tested genotypes did not differ between the years of evaluation. Overall, the index values of Iapar 59 exceeded those of the other genotypes. The use of VIs to evaluate coffee tree performance under different water managements proved efficient in discriminating the best genotypes and optimal water conditions for each genotype. Given the economic importance of coffee as a crop and its susceptibility to extreme events such as drought, this study provides insights that facilitate the optimization of productivity and resilience of plantations under variable climatic conditions.

O consumo de vitaminas e nutrientes é importante para melhorar a imunidade do corpo e da saúde. Alguns alimentos são conhecidos como excelentes fontes de nutrientes, por exemplo, o feijão como fonte de ferro ou a laranja de vitamina C. Sendo assim, o estudo teve o objetivo de verificar os possíveis usos do manjericão como planta funcional, e as diferenças entre onze genótipos de manjericão avaliando os teores de macro e micronutrientes, cultivados em campo no Distrito Federal. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com 11 tratamentos (genótipos) e três repetições. As características avaliadas foram Magnésio (Mg), Fósforo (P), Potássio (K), Cálcio (Ca), Manganês (Mn), Ferro (Fe), Cobre (Cu) e Zinco (Zn). O genótipo MARC se destacou por apresentar valores elevados de Magnésio (Mg), Cálcio (Ca), Fósforo (P) e Zinco (Zn) em relação aos padrões estabelecidos pela tabela TACO. Desta forma, foi verificado que o manjericão pode ser uma interessante fonte de Mg, P, K, Ca e Zn, além da cultura apresentar variabilidade genética importante para o melhoramento genético de plantas.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is a significant cereal globally, widely used in human and animal food. Furthermore, it has a strong influence on genotype-by-environment interactions, being considered a highly adaptable crop. This study aimed to estimate the parameters of adaptability and stability for 17 barley genotypes, compared with two controls (BRS 180 and BRS 195) grown under irrigation in the Cerrado. The experiments were conducted from 2017 to 2020, from May to September, in two different experimental areas of Embrapa in the Federal District, Brazil. Five traits were evaluated: 1. Esti mated grain yield (kg ha⁻¹); 2. CL1—commercial classification of first grains (>2.5 mm) (%); 3. TGW—1000-grain weight (g); 4. plant height (cm); 5. cycle—days after emergence to earing (days). The data obtained were analyzed for normality and homogeneity of variance, subjected to individual and joint analysis of variance, with means compared by Tukey’s test at 5% significance and the adaptability and stability parameters estimated for the genotypes. The coefficients of environmental variation (CV%) were generally low, indicating good experimental precision. The PFC 2006053 and PFC 2006054 genotypes have broad adaptability and high stability for most traits and outperformed the controls and the overall experiment average.

With population growth, the demand for food is increasing, making sustainable practices in agriculture essential to ensure food security, reduce production costs, and mitigate environmental impacts such as climate change. It is crucial to improve the quality and quantity of food production without causing harm to the environment, preserving existing agricultural areas without expanding into new regions. The objective of this literature review is to present information on some contemporary agricultural techniques used in Brazil and around the world that promote sustainability in the 21st century. Practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation, the cover crops use, integrated crop-livestock-forestry system, and the use of beneficial microorganisms exemplify the available sustainable approaches. It is concluded that these practices have great potential for more conscious agriculture, but more studies on their application are needed. The pursuit of sustainable agriculture is a necessary path, not an option.

Lettuce is an important cool-temperature crop, and its principal abiotic stress is low heat tolerance. Lettuce production has become more challenging in the context of global warming changes. Hence, the main objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between stability and lettuce heat tolerance. Field and greenhouse trials were run in 2015 (summer) and 2016 (fall and spring). The environments were composed of a combination of season and place (field, glass, and plastic greenhouse), and the assessed genotypes were BRS Leila and Mediterrânea, Elisa, Everglades, Simpson, and Vanda. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of environments (E), genotypes (G), and the GEI. BRS Leila, Elisa, and BRS Mediterrânea showed the greatest means to the first anthesis in suitable environments (milder temperatures). Among these cultivars, BRS Mediterrânea was the most stable and adapted to hot environments. The environmental conditions studied in this research, mainly high temperatures, could become a reality in many lettuce-producing areas. Therefore, the results can help indicate and develop lettuce varieties with greater heat tolerance.

The presence of greenish seeds represents an obstacle to the productive potential of soybean cultivation, causing significant impacts on the visual aspect and physiological quality of seeds. Traditionally, seeds are evaluated visually, a method that is subject to subjectivity and human error. This research proposes an innovative approach that integrates image analysis and artificial intelligence to develop a machine learning model capable of distinguishing greenish seeds from yellow ones based on color parameters. This study aims to enhance the accuracy of seed evaluation and expand understanding of the relationship between seed color tone and their physiological quality. The artificial intelligence was trained with 12,000 images captured and processed by the GroundEye^® S800D. The methodology employed to train the system involved the use of a decision tree, utilizing the sklearn.tree library from Python. Each seed, after image capture, underwent a standard germination test. The normal seedlings were then reanalyzed using the GroundEye^® S800D to determine their vigor through measurements of primary root and hypocotyl sizes. Yellow soybean seeds exhibit superior physiological quality compared to greenish ones, particularly in terms of germination and seedling growth. The hue angle (h) and luminosity (L) proved to be the most responsive criteria in the machine learning model, achieving an accuracy of 89.7%. The hue angle was demonstrated to be a robust predictor, correlating with higher germination rates in seeds with an angle less than 97.5°. The relationship between seed viability and hue angle was supported by a coefficient of determination (R²) of 73%.

Barley is an important crop for Brazil and an advantageous alternative for irrigated cultivation in the Brazilian Savanna. The present study aimed to characterize and estimate genetic, phenotypic, and environmental parameters and select genotypes from the Embrapa Cerrados irrigated barley working collection. The experiment was established in Randomized Blocks with four replications under irrigation in Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina-DF. The traits evaluated were grain yield, commercial classification of first grains, 1000-seed weight, plant height, lodging, and cycle. The genetic parameters and correlations between the traits evaluated were obtained. High values of heritability, in a broad sense, were verified. The high coefficients of genotypic variance and the high selective accuracy obtained corroborate the favorable environmental condition for the selection of genotypes. It was verified that the genotypic correlations were higher than the phenotypic correlation coefficients, showing a greater contribution of genetic factors in the expression of the traits. Earlier genotypes had higher grain yields, first-class commercial classification, 1000-seed weight, and height. There was a strong positive correlation between the commercial classification of first grains and 1000-seed weight. Genotypes PFC 2005143, PFC 2006134, and PFC 2004212 were selected for use in crossbreeding blocks within the Brazilian irrigated barley breeding program.

Hydroconditioning has been tested in some crops as an attempt to improve seed performance in the field. Minimum germination standards for corn (Zea mays L.) seeds in Brazil varies from 85% for common, 70% for popcorn and sweet and 60% for super sweet one, due to genotypic effect on physiological seed quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of periods of hydroconditioning (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes) and gas insufflation techniques (atmospheric air, concentrated oxygen and none) on seed germination and vigor of corn seeds of different physiological qualities (high and low) and types (common, popcorn, sweet and super sweet). The experiment was carried out in a 5x3x2 factorial design for each corn type, with four replicates. The evaluated parameters comprised water content, germination and electrical conductivity of seeds; main root and seedling length and dry mass of seedlings. Positive effects of the hydroconditioning were observed on seed reinvigoration of corn of all qualities and types and the best results were achieved with hydroconditioning with air or oxygen insufflation, during 60 to 90 minutes, which is therefore recommended to reinvigorate seeds of common, popcorn, sweet and super sweet corn.