Orlando Gonçalves Brito

Este relato de caso descreve uma experiência de extensionismo rural focada no cultivo e valorização da batata doce na região da Mantiqueira. Iniciada a partir da participação no Simpósio Brasileiro de Batata Doce em 2023, a ação envolveu a criação de um berçário com diversas cultivares de batata doce (polpa laranja, branca e roxa). As mudas resultantes foram posteriormente colhidas, transformadas em receitas e apresentadas no evento "Colorindo a Mantiqueira". Este evento promoveu a troca de experiências, palestras sobre manejo, agregação de valor e compostos fitoquímicos, além da distribuição de mudas aos produtores. Atualmente, observa-se o plantio dessas cultivares para diversas finalidades, incluindo o Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE), paisagismo e consumo próprio, demonstrando o impacto positivo da iniciativa na comunidade local.

The quest to restore the capacity for botanical seed production in garlic is fundamental for increasing genetic variability and facilitating the selection of superior genotypes. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous plant growth regulators on the flowering capacity and production of botanical seeds in garlic. The experiment was conducted in the Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Brazil, in a randomized complete block design with four replications in a 7×3 factorial design. Each experimental unit consisted of three 5 dm³ pots, maintained under open-field conditions. Six doses of different plant growth regulators were evaluated: GA3 and PBZ (3.5 mg/L GA3; 9 mg/L GA3; 18 mg/L GA3; 480 mg/L PBZ; 3,600 mg/L PBZ; 7,200 mg/L PBZ) in addition to a control treatment (water), applied during the pre-anthesis, anthesis, and post-anthesis stages. Traits related to flowering and seed production were evaluated. The results implicate that the application of plant growth regulators in the garlic crop modified the reproductive physiology of the plants, influencing the potential for flowering and seed production. The doses of PBZ (7,200 mg/L) and GA3 (18 mg/L), applied at pre-anthesis, increased the potential of botanical seed production. The results indicate that higher doses of the evaluated plant growth regulators can improve flowering and stimulate seed production in garlic.

Premature leaf yellowing, which is correlated to a decline in flower quality, represents a major challenge to the postharvest handling and commercialization of alstroemeria (Alstroemeria hybrida). Preservative solutions have been used as a strategy to address this problem. However, the results reported so far remain inconclusive. While these preservative solutions may delay senescence, their relationship with biochemical processes, particularly with ethylene and antioxidant enzymes, remains unclear. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of different preservative solutions in maintaining postharvest quality and assessing the biochemical responses of Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Akemi’ floral stems. Alstroemeria flowers were harvested, sanitized, standardized, and subsequently placed in preservative solutions. The treatments consisted of different solutions prepared with 200 mg L−1 6-benzyladenine (BA), 10 g L−1 FloraLife Crystal Clear® (CRY), 0.05 mL L−1 Florissant 210XC + Chlorine (FLO + Cl) combined with 0.03 g L−1 Cl, 0.1 mM gibberellic acid (GA3), and 2 mM silver thiosulfate (STS) (applied as a pulsing treatment). Out of all the treatments, GA3 and FLO + Cl with chlorine provided the longest postharvest durability of floral stems. Preservative solutions prepared with GA3 or FLO + Cl with chlorine were effective in delaying leaf yellowing in alstroemeria. The use of STS in a pulsing solution was efficient in preventing perianth abscission. The antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) contributed to reducing hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation in the flowers and showed higher activity during the harvest and commercialization phases.

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most important vegetables from an economic, social, and nutritional point of view, being widely consumed throughout the world, both fresh and processed. Due to its importance, this crop is a constant focus of genetic improvement programs that seek to develop superior genotypes, such as higher quality, yield, and disease resistance. Thus, the aim of this study was to select experimental indeterminate Italian tomato hybrids with high yield, superior fruit quality, and resistance to TSWV (tomato spotted wilt virus) via molecular markers. The trial was conducted in the municipality of Ijaci, southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. A randomized block design was used, with 16 hybrids (12 experimental and 4 commercial controls), four replications, and five plants per plot. Evaluations were carried out for yield, fruit quality, and resistance to TSWV under natural infection and through molecular markers to identify the Sw5 gene. Six experimental hybrids stood out in terms of high yield, with hybrid TO-014 being superior to the others, presenting better size and higher commercial classification. Most genotypes showed few defects, revealing good qualitative characteristics, with the exception of three hybrids (TO-004, TO-042, and TO-134), which demonstrated greater susceptibility to TSWV. Seven experimental hybrids were considered resistant to TSWV because they carry the Sw-5 gene and did not show symptoms of infection in the field. Six of these hybrids also stood out in terms of yield and fruit quality, demonstrating that resistance to the virus has a direct impact on productive characteristics.

The primary postharvest challenge for alstroemeria is premature leaf yellowing, which impacts flower quality and diminishes ornamental value. It is hypothesized that using preservative solutions could mitigate this issue. This study aimed to analyze the effects of postharvest preservatives on Alstroemeria hybrida ‘Akemi’ to delay leaf yellowing. Floral stems were collected, standardized, and immersed in different preservative solutions prepared with 6-benzyladenine, gibberellic acid, Floralife Crystal Clear®, Florissant with chlorine and silver thiosulfate. Quality and physiological analyses were conducted, revealing that treatments with gibberellic acid, Florissant with chlorine, and silver thiosulfate demonstrated the highest postharvest vase life. Gibberellic acid and Florissant with chlorine were the most effective in delaying leaf yellowing, preserving total chlorophyll content and maintaining cell integrity and water content. Silver thiosulfate was less effective in preventing leaf yellowing, but it was the only solution capable of preventing perianth abscission. These results suggest gibberellic acid and Florissant with chlorine as the most effective alternatives in delaying leaf yellowing for alstroemerias, in addition to opening possibilities for new research. It is recommended that mixtures involving gibberellic acid and silver thiosulfate be investigated, as well as Florissant with chlorine and silver thiosulfate, as these combinations can enhance the longevity of alstroemeria flowers and leaves during vase life.

The use of rock powder combined with nutrient-solubilizing and growth-promoting bacteria represents a promising alternative for nutrient supply to the soil and improved crop development. This study aimed to evaluate the development of coffee seedlings treated with rock dust and inoculated with Bacillus species. Six types of rock powder (slate, black slate, gneiss, kamafugite, pyroxenite, and a mixture of mica schist and granite) were added to standard fertilizer in the presence or absence of a Bacillus mixture (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) during coffee cultivation. We measured plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, shoot and root dry biomass, and nutrient levels in the soil and coffee leaves after. In the kamafugite treatment, adding a bacterial mixture increased plant height. When the bacterial application was considered alone, it resulted in an 85% increase in the plants’ total dry biomass. Rock powder and bacteria showed a substantial interaction effect, particularly for nutrients. Gneiss and kamafugite treatments increased phosphorus availability in the soil, whereas bacterial presence boosted calcium and magnesium content. The combination of nutrient-solubilizing and growth-promoting bacteria and rock powder improved soil chemical properties and the early development of coffee plants.

Utilizing selection indices is an effective strategy for the simultaneous evaluation of multiple traits in kale breeding programs. This approach allows for the selection of kale genotypes that exhibit enhanced productivity and adaptability by combining desirable attributes for the crop. In this study, we employed a mixed model approach in combination with various selection indices to estimate selection gains and recommend the most suitable index for kale breeding. The experiment was conducted at the Center of Development and Technology Transfer, Federal University of Lavras, Ijaci, MG. Thirty-four experimental genotypes were assessed in a randomized block design with three replicates, featuring four plants per plot. We evaluated several traits, including total leaf yield, number of leaves, average leaf mass, number of sprouts and chlorophyll content. Data analysis was performed at both the plot average level and the average quantity of the five harvests. Statistical analysis of mixed models confirmed the presence of genetic variability among kale genotypes. We examined the Smith and Hazel, Mulamba and Mock, Z-index, and FAI-BLUP indices. Smith and Hazel, Mulamba and Mock, as well as Z-index, were found unsuitable for leafy kale selection in breeding programs. The FAI-BLUP index demonstrated superior performance, aligning with the specific objectives of the kale breeding program and offering desirable gains. Therefore, we recommend the use of the FAI-BLUP index in kale breeding programs.

Environmental conditions significantly impact the performance of sweet potato genotypes, necessitating the study of genotype x environment (GE) interactions to select genotypes adaptable to varying cultivation conditions. This study aimed to assess GE interactions in sweet potatoes for animal feed and identify high-performance genotypes suitable for different seasons. We conducted two tests during the Brazilian winter of 2019 and summer of 2020. Employing a partially balanced triple lattice experimental design with 100 treatments (92 sweet potato genotypes and eight controls) and three replications, we measured vine green matter yield (VGMY), percentage vine dry matter (PVDM), vine dry matter yield (VDMY), percentage of root dry matter (PRDM), and roots dry matter yield (RDMY). We ranked genotypes, highlighting the best performers for individual and combined seasons. Significant differences in VGMY, PRDM, and RDMY were observed for GE interaction. VGMY, VDMY, and PRDM favored the summer season, while PVDM and RDMY performed better in the winter season. Genotypes 2018-31-713, 2018-72-1438, 2018-31-666, 2018-12-252, 2018-19-461, 2018-19-389, 2018-38-946, 2018-31-689, and 2018-37-864 proved most suitable for VGMY and VDMY across growing seasons. Genotypes 2018-28-514, 2018-15-268, and 2018-19-443 demonstrated potential in percentage vine dry matter. Genotypes 2018-31-666, 2018-72-1438, and 2018-15-277 are recommended for PRDM in both seasons. Genotypes 2018-19-464, 2018-28-556, 2018-55-1154, 2018-28-543, 2018-53-1038, 2018-72-1432, and 2018-19-443 exhibited greater potential for RDMY, making them ideal for animal feed in both growing seasons.

The objective of this work was to estimate the genetic parameters and correlations of characteristics related to production and color in kale and to select the best genotypes based on REML/BLUP estimates. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized block design, with three replicates. The treatments consisted of 34 experimental kale clones. The parameters evaluated were: total leaf yield (TLY), number of commercial leaves (NCL), average leaf mass (ALM), number of shoots (NS), chlorophyll content (CC), and colorimetric patterns of luminosity (L), chroma (C), and hue (h) of the leaves. Genetic parameters, genotypic and phenotypic correlations, and genetic values were estimated. The kale genotypes UFLA 06, UFLA 14, UFLA 16, UFLA 22, and UFLA 34 have good productive characteristics and intense green color, with high heritability. The characteristics TLY, NCL, ALM, NS, CC, and colorimetric patterns of L and C present high heritability in kale. TLY shows a positive correlation with the NCL and the ALM in kale. The genotypes UFLA 02, UFLA 04, UFLA 13, UFLA 25, UFLA 31, and UFLA 32 stand out for their productive characteristics, but not in high levels of antioxidants. The NCL presents positive correlation with the NS, which does not benefit seed production.