O Tratado Internacional de Recursos Fitogenéticos para Alimentação e Agricultura – TIRFAA considera as estratégias ex situ e on farm importantes para conservação da diversidade genética. A conservação on farm depende, portanto, de interlocutores e instituições parcerias de apoio ao processo dinâmico de conservação. Os programas de conservação dos recursos genéticos ex situ muitas vezes atuam de forma paralela, com baixa interação entre eles. Esse artigo visa discutir a importância dos milhos para a cultura Kaingang e descreve, a partir de um estudo de caso, a importância da complementariedade nas ações de conservação da diversidade genética de milhos indígenas. No caso em questão, a conservação do material genético ex situ, foi importante uma vez que houve perda de material genético nas aldeias. Há que se pensar, entretanto, que essa não deve ser a única estratégia de conservação a ser adotada, pois o armazenamento em bancos de germoplasma corta a relação do material com o meio e o constante processo de adaptação das práticas e saberes associados. Torna-se importante a criação de políticas públicas que promovam a complementariedade nas ações de conservação da diversidade genética de milhos indígenas, a interação e diálogos institucionais entre a conservação ex situ e on farm.

ABSTRACT The sweet potato cultivar ‘IAC 134 AL01’ has tuberous roots with high β-carotene content, with the fresh pulp having an intermediate orange colour (based on international descriptors for the crop), which turns bright orange after cooking, and a mildly sweet taste. These roots have a long-irregular shape, red skin and are of medium size, weighing, on average, 300 g and measuring 14 x 6 cm. The first biofortified sweet potato cultivar of the Campinas Agronomic Institute reaches an average yield of 43.9 t/ha and is recommended for planting in the state of São Paulo to supply the domestic market and for export.

The objective of this research was to select orange-fleshed sweet potato clones with high stability, yield, and beta-carotene content in different planting seasons, using a selection index. Joint analysis of experiments and analysis of responsiveness and stability by the GGE biplot method were performed for the variables yield, dry matter percentage, and root flesh color. The variables yield, dry matter, color and stability were used to estimate a selection index. The GGE biplot analysis indicated that there are differences among clones in stability for Yield. However, the percentage of dry matter and color of the roots show low interaction in the different environments. Because of that, stability for yield was included in the selection index, together with yield, dry matter, and root orange color intensity. Finally, the selection index based on stability, yield, dry matter percentage and root color was efficient in the selection of a new biofortified sweet potato cultivar.

Decreasing the nitrogen (N) supply in nutrient solutions can reduce the accumulation of plant biomass and increase yield. Little information, however, is available about the amount and proportion of N reduction, especially for different potato cultivars. The objective of this study was thus to determine the effect of N reduction in the nutrient solution (141.2, 106.2, 71.2 and 36.2 mg L-1) at various times (47, 62, 77 and 92 days after transplantation) on two potato cultivars (Agata and Asterix) grown in an aeroponic system. N reduction did not affect biomass accumulation by "Agata" plants but increased minituber yield by 17% compared to a control treatment (141.2 mg L-1). N reduction, though, affected the biomass accumulation by "Asterix" plants but did not affect minituber yield. These findings suggest cultivar specificity of N management (reduction) in plants cultivated aeroponically.

The baby leaf market is at its beginning in Brazil, but in some European countries and in the United States the market is already established. Similar to the market, production systems are starting to be established in Brazil. Thus, they need to be studied in order to gain knowledge of how to produce baby leaf in each production system. Some farmers who grow leafy vegetables in nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system are adapting their systems to grow baby leaf, but without the technical support provided by research. Therefore, to find answers on how to produce baby leaf in NFT hydroponic systems, the intention of the present study was to verify the effect of nutrient solution electrical conductivity (0.4, 0.8, 1.2 and 1.6 mS cm(-1)) and the distance between plants (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 cm) on development and yield of lettuce cultivar 'Vera'. The experiments were carried out in a nutrient film hydroponic system inside a greenhouse in the period of February to March 2012. The experimental design used was a split plot with randomized blocks replicated four times. There was no significant interaction among treatments, however, there were statistical effects for the treatments separately. The higher yield of 3.1 kg m(-2) were obtained at 1.4 mS cm(-1). The distance between plants of 2.5 cm promoted higher yield of 4.9 kg m(-2).

Table beet is traditionally established in beds, but in recent years growers' interest in no-tillage systems has increased, mainly due to lower labour force cost and environment benefits provided by this production system. Despite the advantages that a no-tillage system offers, a few difficulties have limited the adoption of this technology by growers, including the cropping system and the genetic material to be used. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate table beet yield compared to the plant establishment method and the production system. The experiment was carried out at the Luciano Ribeiro da Silva Research and Diffusion of Agricultural Technology Foundation in Sao Jose do Rio Pardo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A complete randomized block design in split-plot was used with five replicates. The plots were the production system (no-tillage and conventional) whereas the subplots were the plant establishment method (direct seeding and transplanting), and the sub subplots, genetic materials ('Rubius' hybrid and 'Tall Top Early Wonder' cultivar). The yield and quality of table beets were influenced by the plant establishment method and the production system interaction and genetic material, respectively. Higher yield 42.9 t ha(-1) was verified in the no-tillage system with direct seeding. Lower incidence of white rings provided hybrid 'Rubius' with higher root quality.

Baby leaf consumption in Brazil has potential to increase significantly. It is an attractive crop due to its small size, texture and flavor, which may stimulate larger vegetable consumption. Market and production systems are starting to establish in Brazil. Thus, they need to be studied in order to gain knowledge of how to produce baby leaf in each production system. The choice of the correct fertilizer management is essential for a conscious production of baby leaf that aims at high yield, cost reduction, product quality and environment preservation. Among the nutrients, nitrogen is of crucial importance to the morpho-physiological changes occurring in vegetables. Moreover, the aim of this study was to evaluate the development of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. 'Elisa') and table beet (Beta vulgaris L. 'Tall Top Wonder') at different nitrogen doses. So that could be done, two independent experiments ( January 16 to February 29 of 2012) were carried out at the Agronomic Institute (IAC), in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design for both essays was randomized blocks with four replicates. The main treatment consisted of five nitrogen doses (0.16, 0.32, 0.64, 1.28 and 2.56 g L-1), applied thought fertilization. The harvest was carried out when the leaves of each species reached length of approximate 15 cm. The main treatment consisted of five nitrogen doses (0.16, 0.32, 0.64, 1.28 and 2.56 g L-1). For baby leaf production, 1.5 g L-1 of nitrogen for lettuce and 1.8 g L-1 for table beet were the doses that provided the highest yield.

Baby leaf has the increasing potential to stimulate vegetable consumption by the Brazilian population. It can be grown in soil and soilless, inside or outside greenhouses. In Brazil, there are few studies focusing on baby leaf production systems, though growing this vegetable in trays at greenhouses is a possibility. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate table beet cultivar 'Tall Top Early Wonder', production and postharvest viability in trays with different cell volumes. Two attempts (March 19 to May 12 and September 30 to November 10, 2009) were carried out at the Agronomic Institute (IAC), in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Aside from them, two others were carried out to evaluate the postharvest storability of table beet baby leaf. The experimental design used for the first two experiments was randomized blocks in split-plot with five replicates. The main treatment was seven tray cell volumes (15, 24, 27, 31, 55, 70, and 100 cm(3)), and the secondary treatment evaluation times (14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 days after seeding in the first essay, and 21, 28, 35, and 42 in the second). For the postharvest experiments, the experimental design used was split-plot with five replicates. In each evaluated temperature (10±1 and 25±2°C), the main treatment was the same as in the tray cell volumes and the secondary storage days. Considering the results, the cell volumes of 24, 27, and 31 cm(3) were the most conducive to significant table beet baby leaf production. In comparison with 25°C, the temperature of 10°C allowed higher quality of baby leaf, resulting in one extra day added to the first assay and three days to the second.

An adequate nutrient supply can reduce production costs, improve tomato quality, and increase yield.Understanding the nutritional needs of tomato plants is thus fundamental to its successful cultivation.This study characterised plant growth and nutrient accumulation and export in 'Gault' and 'Pomerano' hybrid tomatoes cultivated under tropical conditions in Brazil.The experimental design was randomised blocks with four replicates.Leaf number, tissue dry weights, and nutrient accumulation were evaluated throughout the growing cycle.Plant growth was slow at the beginning of the cycle, but total accumulation of dry matter began to increase faster when 'Gault' and 'Pomerano' had 29 and 28 leaves, peaking at 767.6 and 712.5 g plant -1, respectively, by the end of the cycle.Fruit yields were 148.5 and 122.6 t ha -1 for 'Gault' and 'Pomerano', respectively.The maximum nutrient accumulation for both hybrids at the end of the cycle was in the order K > N > Ca > S > Mg > P > Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn > B. The amounts of N, P, and K were highest in the fruit, and the amounts of Ca, Mg, and S were highest in the vegetative tissues, for both hybrids.

Most seed potatoes in Brazil are produced in beds, pots or boxes containing substrate, but the yields are low. Aeroponic systems are one strategy for increasing the yield. However, the concentration of nutrient solutions, managed by varying the electrical conductivity (EC), is of upmost importance and can alter plant responses. Plant density is another important factor for obtaining high yields. The objective of this study was thus to determine the effect of nutrient-solution EC and plant density on plant and seed potato production in aeroponic system. The experimental design was a randomized block with a split-plot design and four replicates, with plots for EC and subplots for plant density. Two potato cultivars were tested. The best ECs for Agata and Asterix were 2.1 and 1.7dSm(-1), respectively. The highest plant density (100 plants m(-2)) for both cultivars produced the highest minituber yield and economic feasibility.

A cebola e uma hortalica de grande expressao economica no Brasil. Associando a importância da cultura com a busca da sustentabilidade objetivou com o trabalho avaliar influencia de diferentes niveis de palhada de milheto no desenvolvimento da cultura da cebola. O experimento foi realizado em Sao Jose do Rio Pardo, SP, regiao tradicional na cultura. O experimento foi conduzido em blocos casualizados em parcela sub-subdividida, variando densidade de sementes de milheto e tipos de plantio, a lanco e na entrelinha do transplantio da cebola. Apos a dessecacao do milheto, foi realizado o transplante da cebola sobre a palhada, na densidade de aproximadamente 600 mil plantas por hectare, no espacamento entre linhas de 30 centimetros. As diferentes densidades de milheto nao tiveram relacao direta com a produtividade e qualidade da cebola colhida.

ABSTRACT The recent introduction in Brazil of production of quality seed potatoes in hydroponic systems, such as aeroponics, demands studies on the nutritional and crop management. Thus, this study evaluated the influence of electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution and plant density on the seed potato minitubers production in aeroponics system. The Agata and Asterix cultivars were produced in a greenhouse under tropical conditions (winter/spring). The experimental design was a randomized block in a split-split plot design. The plot consisted of 4 electrical conductivities of the nutrient solution (1.0; 2.0; 3.0; and 4.0 dS∙m−1); the subplot, of 4 plant densities (25; 44; 66; and 100 plants∙m−2); and the subsubplot, of the 2 potato cultivars (Ágata and Asterix), totaling 4 blocks. The 2.2 and 2.1 dS∙m−1 electrical conductivities yielded the highest productivity of seed potato minitubers, for Ágata and Asterix cultivars, respectively, regardless of plant density. For both cultivars, the highest yield was observed for the 100 plants∙m−2 density.

ABSTRACT Concerning the baby leaf production in trays, substrate can be reused for a certain number of times depending on its chemical and physical characteristics, but populations of pathogens such as Pythium aphanidermatum and Rhizoctonia solani that can cause damping off of lettuce, can build up during the reuse of this substrate. Solar treatment in a solar collector can be an alternative for the disinfestation of these substrates. Thus, the objective of this research was to study the reuse of coconut fiber substrate and its solar treatment in solar collector on baby leaf lettuce production. The experimental design was randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme 4 (first-use substrate, reused once, reused twice and reused three times) x 2 (with and without solar treatment), with four replications. The substrate reused 3 times provided the highest yield, 7.4 kg/m2, 14.8 cm plant height, 7.8 leaves, length and width of the largest leaf 13.9 and 4.8 cm, respectively; 3.4 and 0.21 g/plant fresh and dry mass, respectively; pH 6.8, 0.34 and 0.35 dS/m electrical conductivity, 25.1 and 30.2 mg/L NH4 + and 16.8 and 14.6 mg/L NO3 -, dry density 169 and 177 kg/m3 and water holding capacity 53 and 57% for substrates with and without solar treatment, respectively. There was an increase in the population of P. aphanidermatum, but the solar treatment was effective to eliminate this pathogen, and R. solani was not detected in the substrates. This study showed that the reuse of a coconut fiber substrate for one to three times could enhance the yield of lettuce baby leaf and promote the chemical and physical characteristics of the substrate.

No sistema produtivo de baby leaf em bandejas o substrato utilizado, bem como o sistema radicular das plantas que permanecem nas bandejas apos a colheita, tornando-se residuos. Seu reuso pode reduzir o custo de producao bem como diminuir o residuo gerado. Em substratos provenientes de reuso e possivel que exista a presenca de patogenos causadores de doencas, principalmente do tombamento na cultura de alface. Assim, a solarizacao e uma opcao para eliminacao desses patogenos. Portanto, o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o efeito do reuso e solarizacao do substrato a base de fibra de coco na producao de alface com a finalidade baby leaf, bem como verificar a qualidade quimica e fisica desse substrato. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4x2, com quatro repeticoes. Os tratamentos foram substrato sem reuso e reutilizados por uma, duas e tres vezes, solarizados e nao solarizados. Avaliou-se altura e numero de folhas da planta, comprimento e largura da maior folha, massa fresca e seca da parte aerea e produtividade. Nos substratos, avaliou-se pH, condutividade eletrica, densidade umida, densidade seca, capacidade de retencao de agua e incidencia de Rhizoctonia solani e Pythium aphanidermatum. Verificou-se possibilidade de reuso do substrato fibra de coco por ate tres vezes. As medias das caracteristicas fitotecnicas avaliadas aumentaram com os sucessivos reusos do substrato, com destaque para a produtividade de 7,4 kg m -2 verificada no substrato de terceiro reuso. As medias das caracteristicas quimicas e fisicas do substrato aumentaram com os reusos sucessivos e possibilitaram o cultivo de alface para baby leaf, com destaque para o pH na faixa de 6,7 a 6,8 e condutividade eletrica entre 0,28 a 0,35 dS m -1 para os substratos reaproveitados. A solarizacao foi eficiente na eliminacao dos patogenos R. solani e P. aphanidermatum de todos os substratos avaliados.

Plant nutrition and fertilization among other growing tools, are fundamental for the success of any agricultural activity. With the constant release of new genetic material with resistance to pest and diseases, adapted to specific climatic conditions, which use natural resources as light, water and nutrients more efficiently and yield better, existing fertilizer recommendations may need to be updated. Thus new technical information needs to be generated to support tomato production decisions. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to characterize plant growth, nutrient content and nutrient uptake of tomato 'Dominador' and 'Serato' during growth. The experiments for each hybrid were independent but carried out simultaneously. A completely randomized block design was used with four replications. The treatments were evaluations dates that happened every 14 days from transplant until 154 days after transplant. Plants were had two stems and eight vines per stem. 'Dominador' and 'Serato' yielded 9.9 and 11.9 kg plant(-1). Total nutrient uptake, at 154 DAT for 'Dominador' was: K (371.9 kg ha(-1)) > N (235.9 kg ha(-1)) > Ca (153.3 kg ha(-1)) > S (68.0 kg ha(-1)) > Mg (41.3 kg ha(-1)) > P (30.7 kg ha(-1)) > Cu (1.6 kg ha(-1)) > Mn (1.2 kg ha(-1)) > Fe (1.0 kg ha(-1)) > Zn (0.5 kg ha(-1)) > B (0.3 kg ha(-1)). For 'Serato' nutrient uptake was: K (440.0 kg ha(-1)) > N (263.9 kg ha(-1)) > Ca (112.0 kg ha(-1)) > S (53.3 kg ha(-1)) > Mg (35.9 kg ha(-1)) > P (34.7 kg ha(-1)) > Cu (1.6 kg ha(-1)) > Mn (1.0 kg ha(-1)) > Fe (0.7 kg ha(-1)) > Zn (0.4 kg ha(-1)) > B (0.2 kg ha(-1)).

This study aimed to characterize the phenology and nutrient uptake throughout the crop cycle of short-day onion established by direct seeding. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four replications. The treatments were different evaluation times. The characteristics evaluated were number of leaves, transversal and longitudinal diameter of the bulb, dry mass and plant nutrient accumulation. At the harvest, the plants reached 39.0 g of dry mass. The sequence of nutrient accumulation (g plant-1) was K (0.80) > N (0.49) > Ca (0.26) > S (0.17) > P (0.09) > (0.05) and (mg plant-1) Fe (2.17) > Zn (1.42) > Mn (1.36) > Cu (1.06) > B (0.92). For a population of 320,000 plants ha-1 and yield of 78,9 t ha-1, the plants extracted at the end of the cycle, 256.2; 157.2; 83.6; 53.2; 29.1; 15.4 kg ha-1 of K, N, Ca, S, P and Mg, and 694.8; 455.7; 436.0; 339.3; 294.6; g ha-1of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and B. The bulbs exported 38, 55, 38, 28, 42, 40, 41, 9, 20, 10 and 30% of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn.

O objetivo deste trabalho o de avaliar a influencia de doses de N (0,00; 100,00; 150,00; 200,00 e 250,00 kg ha -1 ) sobre a produtividade de duas cultivares de beterraba (‘Bohan’ e ‘Boro’). Conclui-se que as doses de N influenciaram a produtividade das cultivares de beterraba estudadas, promovendo ganho de produtividade ate um determinado limite, sendo os maiores valores observados de 37,56 e 37,79 t ha -1 para as doses de N de 100,00 e 110,00 kg ha -1 e cultivares ‘Bohan’ e ‘Boro’, respectivamente.

A producao de cebola no periodo do verao com colheita na entressafra e um dos maiores desafios. A maioria das variedades nao sao adaptadas as condicoes de verao. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho agronomico de dez variedades de cebola de verao, na regiao de Sao Jose do Rio Pardo, Estado de Sao Paulo. As variedades mais indicadas em ordem decrescente de desempenho sao Alfa Sao Francisco, BRS Riva e IAC Solaris, devido a maior adaptacao e produtividade na epoca de verao.