Paulo Alexandre Monteiro de Figueiredo

Grain shape is characterized by a combination of grain length, grain width, grain length-to- width ratio, and grain thickness diverge according to the rice cultivar. The aim of this work was to evaluate in grains of upland rice genotypes the morphological traits and identifying the genetic divergence between them, using hierarchical and non-hierarchical clustering techniques. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks, with 42 upland rice genotypes. The following parameters were determined with digital caliper in a sample of 20 paddy rice grains per plot: grain width (greater side dimension), grain trickness (smallest side dimension), grain length (distance between tips) and GLGW= length-to-width ratio. The data were first submitted to the F-test (p<0.05) and to the Scott-Knott multiple comparison test at p<0.01 and p<0.05. Correlogram of Pearson's linear relationship was carried out and Cluster analysis was performed in two stages, using a hierarchical and non- hierarchical method in R Core Team software version 4.0.2. It is concluded that there is high genetic divergence among the upland rice genotypes. The genotypes OSVR15029 and OSVR15044 have similar traits to the cultivar IAC 202. The genotypes which have grains classified as long-thin, meeting national preferences and can be used for the breeding programs of upland rice crop.

Use of ethephon on buds from different positions on the culm of BRS Capiaçú elephant grass was evaluated to improve development of shoots during planting. The experiment compared buds originating from the apex and base of the BRS Capiaçú culm without ethephon application, cut culms with buds immersed for 1 min in ethephon solution (0.650 L ethephon/ha) and application of 150 L ethephon/ha directly on the bud on the standing culm. The position of the bud in the culm and the application of ethephon positively influenced the development and gaseous exchange of BRS Capiaçú. Buds immersed for 1 min in ephethon showed better development, CO2 assimilation rate (A), transpiration (E) and stomatal conductance. Plants growing from buds from the base of the culm produced more leaves, with higher biomass and higher transpiration, It is recommended to use buds from the base of the BRS Capiaçú culm for propagation when using ethephon.

The main pests of sugarcane are: Sugarcane borer (Diatraea saccharalis), Root borer (Mahanarva fimbriolata), Migdolus beetle (Migdolus fryanus), Sugarcane beetle (Sphenophorus levis), Giant borer (Telchin licus), Leaf borer (Mahanarva posticata), Beetle (Metamasius hemipterus), Termites, Chickweed (Diloboderus abderus) and Hairy borer (Hyponeuma). This figure demonstrates the importance of investing in efficient sugarcane pest management strategies to avoid losses. The aim of this research is to present the latest updates on sugarcane pests, covering aspects such as biology, geographical distribution, economic impact and management strategies. This paper is an integrative literature review, aimed at synthesizing existing knowledge, which makes it possible not only to analyse studies that have already been carried out, but also to open up new research. Pest attacks on sugarcane crops cause qualitative and quantitative damage, and the populations of the different species must be controlled in order to avoid losses. The use of different control methods, combined with chemical and biological, reduces the populations and attacks of these pests, which improves the productivity and quality of the raw material for the production of its end products. These pests represent an on going challenge for the production of this crop in Brazil. Although traditional pests still cause significant damage, the emergence of new threats and resistance to insecticides require the adoption of more integrated and sustainable management strategies. Investment in research, training producers and the adoption of innovative technologies are fundamental to guaranteeing the productivity and sustainability of sugarcane in the country.

Over the years, efforts have been made to improve the phytosanitary quality of papaya (Carica papaya L.). In this sense, one of the essential factors to be observed is nutrition, since it is responsible for the productivity andquality of fruits, with organic fertilization being an alternative that has been gainingground in the productive market. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the effects ofBrutal Plus® and Composto classe A® organic fertilizers on the morphophysiological parameters of the development and production of papaya ‘Formosa’ hybrid Tainung 01 cultivar. According to the results, it was observed that theapplication, via soil and/or foliar, of the organic fertilizers used in this researchincreased agronomic characteristics of great importance for the papaya crop, such as plant height and the internal carbon content of leaves, as well as number of fruits and productivity at the beginning of the harvest. In this regard, the use of these products can be recommended as an alternative to organic production, however, as these are preliminary results, more studies in this line of research must be carried out.

Some species of the genus Passiflora have leaf morphological adaptations that grow to influence the development of the plant in producing areas. Hence, the objective of this work is to quantify and characterize the leaf anatomy of passion fruit species distributed in the South American region, which can become an important strategy in the selection of species more adapted to the environment where they will be grown. This work evaluates the abaxial and adaxial cuticle thickness (ABCT and ADCT), abaxial and adaxial epidermis thickness (ABET and ADET), xylem diameter (XD), phloem diameter (PD), and thickness of the palisade parenchyma (TPP), of the species Passiflora quadrangularis L., Passiflora foetida L., Passiflora edulis Sims, Passiflora gibertii N.E Brown, Passiflora coccinea Aubl, Passiflora alata Curtis, Passiflora tenuifila Killip, Passiflora caerulea L., and Passiflora cincinnata Mast. Passion fruit species present differences in leaf anatomy, which may influence the plant’s development. The species Passiflora quadrangularis L. showed a greater thickness of cuticles, epidermis, conducting vessels, and palisade parenchyma. The species Passiflora edulis has higher density and stomatal functionality. All Passiflora species formed druses on their leaves.

The aim of this study was to investigate the morpho-physiological responses of tomato and bell pepper plants when specific nutrients were restricted. The study was conducted in a greenhouse under controlled environmental conditions and used hydroponic solution as the growth medium, with the nutrient solution being replaced as needed. Treatments consisted of a control treatment that included all nutrients at optimal concentrations and the suppression of magnesium (Mg), boron (B), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) for both tomato and bell pepper. The experimental design followed a completely randomized design, with a 2 (crops) × 5 (treatments) factorial scheme replicated four times. The results of this study showed that suppression of Fe had the most pronounced negative effect on the morphology and physiology of tomatoes and bell peppers and caused a reduction in parameters associated with gas exchange, leading to the development of interveinal chlorosis in the leaves. The suppression of Mg had the second most notable negative effects, with similar deficiency symptoms observed in the plant leaves as observed for the absence of Fe. While the suppression of B and Zn were less prominent compared to Fe and Mg, they still resulted in tissue malformation in the shoot apices and reductions in gas exchange and negatively impacted the morphological parameters evaluated. Therefore, our study provided important insights on how Mg, B, Zn, and Fe depletion affects tomato and bell pepper physiology and its impacts on tomato and bell pepper morphology.

Plants dynamically respond to varying light intensities, which may further interact with their nutrient status to affect gas exchange parameters. This study investigated the combined effect of instantaneous light intensity and magnesium suppression on tomato and bell pepper cultivation. Two independent experiments were conducted in September 2022 using the tomato variety Mariana (Sakata®) and bell pepper variety Magali R (Sakata®) at the Faculty of Agricultural and Technological Sciences, Dracena, São Paulo, Brazil. A completely randomized 2x5 factorial design was employed, with the first factor being the presence/absence of magnesium in the nutrient solution and the second factor being four light intensities: 0 (control), 600, 1200, and 1800 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) applied instantaneously using an IRGA device. Magnesium deficiency was confirmed to be a limiting factor for gas exchange responses in both tomato and pepper crops. Notably, the light intensity of 1200 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ PAR elicited the most optimal gas exchange performance in both plant species.