Australian Journal of Crop Science   AJCS

Cotton resistance to white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) evaluated by the oxalic acid method

Matheus Rodrigues Martins*, Daniel Bonifácio Oliveira Cardoso, Daniel Inserra Bortolin, Ernane Miranda Lemes, Elvécio Gomes da Silva Júnior, Ana Flávia Oliveira Nascimento, Lucas Rodrigues Martins, Larissa Barbosa de Sousa

Instituto de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Glória, BR-050, KM 78, S/N, CEP 38410-337, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Triângulo Mineiro, Campus Uberlândia, Fazenda Sobradinho, S/N, CEP 38400-970, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

Abstract
The white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is one of the most destructive cotton disease. Genetic resistance is one of the main strategies to control this disease. Thus, this study aimed to determine an appropriate period of exposition and concentration of oxalic acid to identify levels of physiological resistance to white mold in white fiber cotton genotypes. The study was implemented in two periods (August to October and November to January) in randomized complete block design, in a split-split-plot factorial in time, with five replications, where the plot factor was the concentration of oxalic acid (20; 40 mM) and the sub-plot factor was the 20 cotton genotypes, the sub-sub-plot factor was the time of exposure to oxalic acid (24h; 48h; 72h). The experimental units, or plots, were composed of test tubes with one cotton plant shoot partially immersed in oxalic acid solution. The biomass of the cotton shoots was evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h. The loss of water caused by the exposure to oxalic acid indirectly indicates the level of cotton resistance to white mold. The results suggest that the most appropriate exposition time and concentration of oxalic acid for cotton evaluation of resistance to white mold were 20 mM at 48 hours, respectively. In these conditions, the cotton genotypes that presented the greatest average fresh mass were: UFU-14 A, UFU-14 B, UFU-14 F, UFU-14 H, and UFU-14 S, which could be used as sources of resistance to white mold in cotton breeding programs.

Pages 1-6 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p2804
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Using salinity to improve nutritional and market value of strawberries

Mohammad Alnayef, Joseph Hartley, Francesco Orsini, Raffaella Di Silvestro, Rabab Sanoubar, Ilaria Marotti, Giorgio Gianquinto, Giovanni Dinelli, Norhawa Puniran-Hartley

School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 54, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
DIPSA – Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 44, 40127 Bologna, Italy

Abstract
Plants respond to salinity by producing antioxidants and osmolytes; some of these are nutritionally useful to humans (e.g. phenolics), or may improve the sensory quality of produce (e.g. sugars). For the current study, strawberries were irrigated with 0, 10, 20 or 40 mM NaCl, and the responses in antioxidants, phenolics, and flavour attributes were measured. A linear positive relationship was observed between salt stress and antioxidant concentrations, and the DPPH antioxidant assay responded more clearly than the FRAP assay. Phenolics were increased with statistical significance by salinity at all treatment levels, although trends differed between total phenolics and the subclasses anthocyanins and total flavonoids. It was seen that mild salinity (10 mM) with a low impact on yield could be used to increase antioxidants (6-10% above control) and total phenolics (11-16% above control). However differences between cultivars outweighed differences due to salinity in treatments below 20 mM NaCl. We found that sugars in strawberries (unlike other fruits) weren’t increased by salinity treatment. The lack of sugar increase can be explained by suggesting that organic acids are more important osmolytes than sugars for strawberries under salinity. However it was also determined that the failure of strawberries to increase their soluble sugars during salt stress can be explained by the lean nutrient regimes used by researchers, which don’t represent commercial production practices. Practically, mild salinity (≤20 mM) can be used to increase strawberry fruit value, but should be combined with an appropriate nutrient regime to avoid harm to flavour quality. The varieties Elsanta and Elsinore are both suitable for salt treatment, but Elsanta is better for antioxidant and phenolic production, as well as being more salt tolerant.

Pages 7-17 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p2910
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Ingestive behavior of Angus yearling steers in natural grassland subjected to fertilization and over sown of temperate species

Denise Adelaide Gomes Elejalde, Carlos Nabinger, Eduardo Tonet Ferreira, Aline Kellermann de Freitas, Regis Luis Missio, Taíse Robinson Kunrath, Thais Devincenzi, Raquel Rolim Cardoso, Cassiano Eduardo Pinto, Marcelo Fett Pinto, Viviane Borba Ferrari

Federal Technological University of Paraná/UTFPR, Pato Branco, PR, Brasil
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul/UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
Institute of Zootechnics of the Government of the State of São Paulo, Nova Odessa, SP, Brasil
National Institute for Agricultural Research/INIA, Tacuarembó, Uruguay
Santa Catarina Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company/EPAGRI, Lages, SC, Brasil
University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil

Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of Angus yearling steers grazing natural grasslands of Southern Brazil, submitted or not to the application of fertilizers: NG= natural grassland; FNG= fertilized natural grassland, and FONG= fertilized natural grassland improved with the over sown of temperate forage species. Three Angus yearling steers and a variable number of put-and-take animals were used per experimental unit, to maintain a forage allowance of 13 kg of dry matter/100 kg of body weight. Ingestive behavior of tester animals was visually assessed in four seasons of the year through instantaneous records of activity every ten minutes during the daytime period. There was no effect of pasture treatments on ingestive behavior. An interaction between seasons and periods of the day was observed for daily grazing and rumination time (P <0.05). The grazing activities were clustered at the beginning and the end of the day in summer, autumn and winter, while in spring it was similar in the 1st three quarters of the day, with higher activity in the period close to sunset. The animals spent more time grazing in the spring despite the better quality of forage in this season. Regardless of the season, longer residence and grazing time were found in water foci areas. We conclude that grazing time on natural pastures is influenced by forage mass and forage allowance, and bite rate is influenced by the chemical composition of the sward.

Pages 18-25 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p2940
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Pod shattering incidence in relation to seed dispersal and maximum harvest delay in soybean genotypes

Ayda Krisnawati, Andy Soegianto, Budi Waluyo, Kuswanto*

Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia
Indonesian Legume and Tuber Crops Research Institute, Jl. Raya Kendalpayak Km 8, PO Box 66 Malang 65101, East Java, Indonesia

Abstract
The efforts to minimize the pod shattering incidence in soybean can be done by the use of resistant variety and the determination on the limit of harvest delay. The study aims to evaluate the pod shattering resistance and to determine the maximum limit for harvest delay in soybean. Sixteen soybean genotypes were planted during the dry season 2019. After plants reached the F8 phase, ten randomly sample plants were taken from each plot. The examination for the effect of the harvest delay on the pod shattering incidence was based on the simulation on the pot. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. Pod shattering on each fertile node and seed dispersal were observed for twenty days. The number of fertile nodes, number of pods per fertile node, and pod shattering on the fertile node varied between genotypes. The highest number of pods where found at the third node (7.50a ± 4.26) and fourth node (7.44a ± 4.23) from the lower part of the stem. Pod shattering in the nodes at the lower part of the stem (17 % ± 4.96 %) was higher than in the nodes at the middle (8% ± 6.86%), and upper part of the stem (3% ± 3.79%). The evaluation for pod shattering resistance resulted in two very resistant genotypes, ten resistant, two moderately resistant, one susceptible, and one very susceptible genotype. The seed dispersal of very resistant and resistant genotypes ranged from 0 - 8.55%, the moderately resistant genotypes were 12 – 15%, and the susceptible and very susceptible genotypes were between 23.72 – 48.65%. The harvest delay in resistant or very resistant genotypes could be done 20 days after maturity, meanwhile in susceptible and very susceptible genotypes, the harvest delay should not exceed three days after maturity.

Pages 26-34 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p2950
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Genetic diversity and inoculation of plant-growth promoting diazotrophic bacteria for production of Eucalyptus urophylla seedlings

Fabiano Gama de Sousa, Kamila Cabral Mielke, Dany Roberta Marques Caldeira, Vera Lúcia Divan Baldani, José Ivo Baldani, Roberlan Ferreira da Silva, Ernando Balbinot, Vanderley Antônio Chorobura Klein

Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rondônia (IFRO), Colorado do Oeste, Rondônia, Brazil
Viçosa Federal University, Minas Gerais, Viçosa, Brazil
Brazilian Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA Agrobiology), Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract
The study of diversity and the established relationship between plants and endophytic bacteria contribute significantly to the plant development. This study aimed to isolate, identify plant-growth promoting diazotrophic bacteria from Eucalyptus urophylla plants and evaluate the plant seedling response to inoculation with selected strains. The study was conducted from July 2017 to August 2018 set up in a greenhouse in a completely randomized experimental design with 17 treatments and 16 replicates, with 12 strains isolated from E. urophylla, four standard bacteria and one control (not inoculated with bacteria). Twelve strains were isolated from the eucalyptus rhizosphere using the N-free semisolid media and the 16 rRNA sequencing identified species closely related to Nitrospirillum amazonense, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pantoea agglomerans, Herbaspirillum frisingense and Ideonella dechloratans. All strains were able to produce indol compounds and the presence of the nifH gene (nitrogen fixation) was demonstrated by PCR analysis. There was a significant effect of the strain inoculation on the height, diameter, root dry matter, root length, root area surface and volume of the seedling plant. The strains L1E, L4E - Azospirillum amazonense and L7E - Stenotrophomonas maltophilia presented high values variables of height, diameter, root dry matter, root length, root area surface and volume. Many of the bacterial strains were able to promote plant growth either by root morphology changes or biomass accumulation in root and shoots. Therefore, there is a biotechnological potential of these plant-growth promoting diazotrophic bacteria strains to be applied as inoculants to improve growth of eucalyptus seedlings. This fact opens new opportunities to establish forests with economically viable and environmentally sustainable technologies.

Pages 35-44 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p2953
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Effect of herbicides on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and ALA-D in transgenic hybrid corn

Ani Carla Concato, Nathália Tafarel Sutorillo, Wagner Antonio Tamagno, Maicon Ody de Paula, Renata Affeldt Dada, Giovana Brisolla Piccini, Ana Paula Vanin, Carla Alves, Jéssica Dias Gomes, André Dalponte Menegat, Ignacio Aspiazú, Leandro Galon, Rosilene Rodrigues Kaizer

Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul – IFRS Campus Sertão, Sertão/RS/Brazil, Rodovia ERS 135, Km 25, Distrito Engenheiro Luiz Englert, CEP: 99170-000, Sertão, RS, Brasil
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Campus Erechim/RS, Erechim/RS/Brazil, Rodovia ERS 135, Km 72, 200, Caixa Postal 764, CEP: 99700-970, Erechim, RS, Brasil
Department of Agricultural Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), Av. Reinaldo Viana, 2630, Pico da Pedra, CEP.: 39440-000, Janaúba, MG, Brasil

Abstract
A corn cultivar with resistance to 2,4-D, glyphosate, ammonium-glufosinate, and haloxyfop-R has been developed. However, it is known that the application of herbicides generally induces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause oxidative damage to plants. In this study, we applied these herbicides in Enlist™ corn hybrids, in the doses recommended for weed control of herbicides alone and in mixtures, being 0, 670, 1080 400, and 60 g ha-1 a.e. of glyphosate, 2,4-D, ammonium-glufosinate, and haloxyfop-R, respectively. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Erechim, RS, Brazil. The plants were grown in a soil and substrate mix (proportion of 1:1), in plastic vases (0.5 L). The design was completely randomized, with four replicates and two plants per replicate. The herbicides were sprayed 22 days after corn emergence (V2 stage). At seven days after the application, all plants were collected and macerated, then maintained in an ultra-freezer at -80 ºC until the biochemical analysis could be performed. The activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ALA-D and the lipid peroxidation levels were evaluated to know the effects of herbicide application in these plants. The herbicides, especially the mixtures, increased the activity of the antioxidant enzymes that decompose H2O2, such as CAT and APX, and also caused an inhibition of the activity of GPX and ALA-D while promoting lipid peroxidation. This may be associated with the increased generation of H2O2, which was added to the production of other ROS, causing an overload of the antioxidant defense system of transgenic corn, resulting in damage to plant lipids.

Pages 45-53 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3073
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Phenotypic divergence for morphological and yield-related traits in black oat (Avena strigosa)

Elisangela Sordi*, Keli Olivia Poletto, Simone Meredith Schefer–Basso, Nadia Canali Lângaro, Joelson Karlinski

University of Passo Fundo, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine , Department of Biological Sciences,
BR 285, São José, Passo Fundo, zip code99052–900, Brazil
Ciencia.doc, Silva Jardim Street, 305, Passo Fundo, zip code 99010–240, Brazil
University of Passo Fundo, Faculty of Agronomy and VeterinaryMedicine, Department of Seeds, BR 285, São José, Passo Fundo, zip code 99052–900, Brazil

Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the phenotypic divergence among 46 accessions of A. strigosa from Mesoregions Northwest and Northeast of Rio Grande do Sul. The experiment was carried out in the field, in a randomized block design, with three replications. The germplasm was characterized using 40 morphoagronomic, 21 of which were either binary or multicategoric, while 19 were quantitative traits as cycle (days to heading), plant length, peduncle, glume and lemma, and production of biomass and grains. The data were submitted to descriptive, univariate, and multivariate statistical analysis. The accessions were monomorphic in 17 out of 21 among qualitative characters. Vegetative habit, diameter, length, and wall thickness of culm were the main quantitative traits in the discrimination of the accessions. The maximum and minimum dissimilarity, expressed by the generalized Mahalanobis distance, ranged from 2.98 up to 55.71. Based on the magnitude of divergence and performance towards agronomic traits in attributes, some accessions may be incorporated into breeding programs of the species.

Pages 54-63 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3133
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Agronomic performance of soybean in crop rotation systems

Lígia Maria Maraschi da Silva Piletti, Luiz Carlos Ferreira de Souza, Mateus Luiz Secretti, Thiago Alberto Ortiz*, Annanda Mendes Costa, Antonio Luiz Viegas Neto, Izidro dos Santos de Lima Junior

Instituto Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (IFMS), Ponta Porã-MS, Brazil
Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados-MS, Brazil
Centro Universitário da Grande Dourados (UNIGRAN), Dourados-MS, Brazil
Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), Londrina-PR, Brazil

Abstract
Crop rotation consists of alternating plant species cultivation in the same agricultural land, aiming to provide nutrient replenishment in the soil through organic matter deposition, as well as mitigating the soil degradation caused by agricultural practices. However, due to the short list of known crops suitable for such application, a selection of species to be inserted to the system is of critical importance. The objective of this research was to study the agronomic performance of soybean in crop rotation systems. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of UFGD, Dourados-MS, in two cropping seasons: 2013/2014 and 2014/2015; using a randomized block design with thirteen treatments and four replications. Treatments consisted of crop rotation systems in two soybeans cropping seasons. Corn, brachiaria, canola, wheat, forage turnip, safflower, crotalaria, niger, crambe, white oat, vetch and sunflower were the selected species to be inserted in the rotation systems. Six variables were analyzed: plant height, height of first pod insertion, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, mass of 1000 grains and grain yield. All collected data was submitted to analysis of variance and the means comparisons were analyzed by the Scott-Knott test (5%). This study revealed that crop rotation is an agricultural technique that favors the grain yield of soybean. Furthermore, during autumn and winter, fallowing is not recommended for soybean cultivation.

Pages 64-72 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3167
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Nutritional properties of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) epicarp flours by conventional drying and lyophilization

Gleyce Kelle Ilidio Pinheiro, Daniel Emanuel Cabral de Oliveira, Osvaldo Resende, Weder Nunes Ferreira Junior, Jennifer Cristhine Oliveira Cabral, Wellytton Darci Quequeto*

Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano – Campus Rio Verde, Caixa postal 66, CEP 75901-970. Rio Verde, GO, Brasil
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano – Campus Iporá, Caixa postal 350, CEP 76200-000. Iporá, GO, Brasil

Abstract
Yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.) has an unusual aroma and slightly acidic flavor, which leads to the interest in its fresh consumption or industrial use, causing its epicarp (peel) to be discarded, which generates industrial residue. The nutritional value of fruit epicarp is almost always high and, in some cases, may be even higher than the that of the fruit itself. The objective of this study was to evaluate the flours produced from the epicarp of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin L.), through conventional drying and lyophilization. Contents of water, ash, lipids, proteins and minerals were analyzed and carbohydrate content and energy value were determined. Moisture content was below 8.87%, being within the acceptable limit. The flours showed high contents of ash, lipids and proteins, with values above 5.61, 7.76 and 11.90%, respectively. Fe, Zn and Mn contents were above the daily intake recommendation. The temperatures used to dehydrate yellow mombin epicarp did not cause nutritional alteration in the flours compared with the flour from the lyophilized epicarp.

Pages 73-78 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3212
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Gas exchange in bacurizeiro (Platonia insignis Mart.) genotypes in the dry and rainy seasons in the Middle North region of Brazil

Clemilton da Silva Ferreira, Walter Esfrain Pereira, Lúcio Flavo Lopes Vasconcelos, Rafael Vivian, João Everthon da Silva Ribeiro*, Oscar José Smiderle, Aline das Graças Souza, Thiago Jardelino Dias, Márcia Paloma da Silva Leal, Adjair José da Silva

Departamento de Ensino, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará, Tianguá, Ceará, Brasil
Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brasil
Embrapa Meio-Norte, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Teresina, Piauí, Brasil
Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brasil
Centro de Estudos Superiores de Itapecuru-Mirim, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Itapecuru-Mirim, Maranhão, Brasil
Embrapa Roraima, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brasil
Faculdade Roraimense de Ensino Superior, Boa Vista, Roraima, Brasil
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agronomia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Areia, Paraíba, Brasil

Abstract
The bacurizeiro (Platonia insignis Mart.) is a species of great economic and social importance in the North and Middle North regions of Brazil. However, little is known about the environmental effects on its physiological characteristics. The objective of this work was to determine the gas exchange of genotypes of bacurizeiro in the dry and rainy seasons in the Middle North region of Brazil. The experiment was conducted in the Embrapa Meio Norte experimental field, located in Teresina-Piauí. A completely randomized design in a 7x2 factorial scheme was used, with seven genotypes and two seasons (dry and rainy), with three replications. The genotypes were M1MP14p12f1, M1MP14p13f1, M2PP2p18f5, M3MP6p14f1, M3MP6p15f1, M4MP6p7f4 and M7PP5p18f3 from the improvement program of Embrapa Meio Norte. Liquid photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and internal CO2 concentration, ratio between internal CO2 concentration and ambient CO2 concentration, intrinsic water use efficiency and instant water use efficiency were evaluated. The environmental variation affects the plasticity of the bacurizeiro genotypes. There is less efficiency in the use of water in the dry period in all genotypes of bacurizeiro, with values between 1.20 and 1.55 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1 / µmol H2O m-2 s-1, respectively. The genotypes M1MP14p13f1, M2PP2p18f5 and M7PP5p18f3 are the most stable in the face of environmental variations, since in both seasons they are in the same formed groups.

Pages 79- 85 | Full Text PDF | doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3271
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Essential oils from different Citrus species and evaluation of their in vitro antibacterial, antiacetylcholinesterase, anti-inflammatory and antifungal activities

Anne Caroline da Silva Duarte Oliveira, Cassia Cristina Fernandes, Tatiana Manzini Vieira, Antônio Eduardo Miller Crotti, João Matias de Souza, Carlos Henrique Gomes Martins, Mayker Lazaro Dantas Miranda*

Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano, Campus Rio Verde, Rio Verde, GO, Brazil
Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Universidade de Franca, Franca, SP, Brazil
Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Triângulo Mineiro, Campus Uberlândia Centro, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) from Citrus are not only economic, eco-friendly and natural alternatives to chemical preservatives but also have other biological applications. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of Citrus species (EOs from C. limonia, C. latifolia, C. sinensis and C. deliciosa fruit peel) to evaluate their in vitro antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus cereus. The chemotaxis model, which was used for evaluating their anti-inflammatory activity, showed that EOs exhibited effective results when the dose was 100 µg/mL. Regarding all antimicrobial activities, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of EOs were calculated by the broth microdilution method on 96-well microplates. EOs showed satisfactory antifungal activity against Malassezia furfur (MIC values between 32.5 and 62.5 µg/mL). Citrus deliciosa, whose MIC = 95.8 µg/mL, inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) more selectively. All EOs from Citrus spp. fruit peel showed good antibacterial activity against Yersinia enterocolitica (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 62.5 µg/mL), mainly the EO from C. deliciosa whose MIC values were 50 µg/mL for both. EOs were moderately active against Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus and Listeria monocytogenes since MIC values ranged from 100 μg/mL to 400 μg/mL. Both GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed that the single major constituent determined in EOs is the terpene limonene. EOs from Citrus may be important active ingredients of several products to prevent bacterial growth in food, to attack the fungus that causes seborrheic dermatitis and to treat inflammatory processes. In short, the promising antiacetylcholinesterase activity of EOs under evaluation was attributed to the high concentration of the monoterpene limonene.

Pages 86-92 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3281
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Does the application of herbicides with distinct mechanisms of action change enzymatic activity and grain yield of Clearfield® canola?

Ani Carla Concato, Leandro Galon*, Nathália Tafarel Sutorillo, Wagner Antonio Tamagno, Maicon Ody de Paula, Ana Paula Vanin, Carla Alves, Jessica Dias Gomes da Silva, Germani Concenço, Gismael Francisco Perin, Rosilene Rodrigues Kaizer

Federal Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS) Campus Sertão, Rodovia ERS 135, Km 25, Engenheiro Luiz Englert District, 99170-000, Sertão, RS, Brazil
Laboratory of Sustainable Management of Agricultural Systems, Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Campus Erechim, RS 135, Km 72, no 200, 99.700-000, Erechim, RS, Brazil
Embrapa Clima Temperado, BR 392, Km 78, 96001-970, Pelotas, RS, Brazil

Abstract
Herbicides have a high potential for phytotoxicity and generate oxidative stress, even on tolerant crops. The canola hybrid Hyola 571 CL obtained through Clearfield® technology shows tolerance to imidazolinones. Given the importance of this hybrid, this work assessed the effect of using herbicides with different mechanisms of action on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, ALA-D, gas exchange, and grain yield of canola hybrid tolerant to imidazolinones. Treatments applied to Hyola 571 CL canola hybrid were: control without herbicides, diclosulam, imazaquim, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + diuron pendimenthalin, flumioxazin, imazethapyr + imazapic, imazapic + imazapyr, imazethapyr, imazamox, nicosulfuron, chlorimuron, netsulfuron-methyl, iodosulfuron, and pyroxsulam. Seven, 14, 21, and 28 days after application we assessed herbicide phytotoxicity to canola. Antioxidant enzyme systems, variables related to plant physiology, and grain yield of Hyola 571 CL were also determined. It was observed that the hybrid, even tolerant, showed sensitivity to herbicides. Pendimethalin, flumioxazin, chlorimuron-ethyl, metsulfuron-methyl, and iodosulfuron were the most harmful to Hyola 571 CL. Commercial mixtures by [imazethapyr + imazapic] and [imazapic + imazapyr], as well as imazamox, were the most selective ones. Catalase was inhibited by most treatments. Sulfentrazone promoted the greatest negative interference along with its mixture with diuron and nicosulfuron, chlorimuron, and metsulfuron-methyl. The hybrid showed sensitivity to herbicides and the differences in gas exchange rates and other analyzes for the types of treatment do not result in productivity.

Pages 93-102 | Full Text PDF| Supplementary Data| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3282
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Effects of mulch on soil pH and the growth of vanilla plants (Vanilla planifolia) in short-term greenhouse and agroforestry plantation experiments

I Gede Ketut Adiputra*

Department of Biology, Faculty of Information Technology and Sciences, University of Hindu Indonesia Denpasar. Jl. Sangalangit, Tembau, Penatih, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia

Abstract
Agroforestry produces various types of waste that can lower soil pH, increase the negative effect of allelochemicals and inhibit the growth of vanilla plants. Studies were conducted to examine the short-term effect (43 to 85 days) of dry and fresh mulches, compost and charcoal on soil pH and the growth of vanilla plants. Studies were performed in an agroforest and in a greenhouse using a completely randomised experimental design. The studies found that during rainy season in the agroforest, the addition of fresh grass clippings decreased soil pH by 0.15 relative control. In contrast, the same addition increased soil pH in greenhouse experiments by 0.22. The addition of compost also decreased soil pH in agroforestry by 0.15 but increased pH in greenhouse by 0.20. A similar effect was also found after the addition of charcoal. The addition of coconut husks and leaf litter in agroforest led to similar soil pH as the control, at 6.0 and 6.42 for coconut husks and leaf litter, respectively. High growth of vanilla plants occurred in a soil pH range from 6.0 to 6.5, irrespective of mulch materials added. This study indicates that environmental conditions change soil-mulch interactions, and that vanilla plants thrive well in soil pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.5 in most of the mulch types tested.

Pages 103-112 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3298
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Adequacy of the electrical conductivity test on Libidibia ferrea seeds (Mart. Ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz var. ferrea classified with different masses

Priscila Cordeiro Souto*, João Correia de Araújo Neto, Vilma Marques Ferreira, Edilma Pereira Gonçalves, Cristian Bernardo da Silva, Karolyne Priscila Oliveira dos Santos, João Luciano de Andrade Melo Junior, Lucas Teles Bezerra

Federal University of Alagoas - Engineering and Agrarian Science Campus, BR-104, Km 85, s/n, 77100-000, Mata do Rolo, Rio Largo, AL, Brazil
Federal University of Agreste of Pernambuco, Avenue Bom Pastor, s/n, Boa Vista, 55292-270, Garanhuns, PE, Brazil
Departament of Production and Plant Breeding - São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Avenue Universitária, 3780, Altos do Paraíso, 18610-034, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Abstract
This study aimed to adapt the methodology of the electrical conductivity test to detect differences in vigor between seeds of Libidibia ferrea of different masses. The seeds were classified according to their individual mass: small seeds ≤ 0.14 g, medium seeds 0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.19, large seeds ≥ 0.20 g. Subsequently, seed morphology (length, width, thickness, water content, and weight of 1000 seeds), and the initial physiological potential of the seeds (germination, first count, average time, average speed, germination rate coefficient, germination and emergence rate index, emergence percentage, seedling length, and dry mass) were determined. The electrical conductivity was conducted in a 3 × 12 factorial scheme with three seed masses and 12 immersion periods (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 h), in volumes of 50 and 75 mL of water, with 25 and 50 seeds, respectively. The physical and physiological variables of the seeds were highly correlated with the electrical conductivity test. The seed mass of L. ferrea has a direct relationship with its physiological potential, with the seeds of mass ≥ 0.20 g classified with high vigor; the seeds of mass 0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.19 with intermediate vigor; and the seeds of mass ≤ 0.14 g with low vigor. The electrical conductivity test is efficient in the evaluation of the physiological potential of L. ferrea seeds of different masses when conducted with 25 seeds soaked in 50 mL of distilled water for 4 h.

Pages 113-120 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3329
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Drying in foam mat of mixed pulp of jambolan (Syzygium cumini L.) and acerola (Malpighia emarginata D. C.): effect of additives and temperature

Joana D’arc Paz de Matos*, Rossana Maria Feitosa de Figueirêdo, Alexandre José de Melo Queiroz, Luís Paulo Firmino Romão da Silva, Semirames do Nascimento Silva, Maria Suiane de Moraes, Francislaine Suelia dos Santos, Larissa Monique de Sousa Rodrigues, Josivanda Palmeira Gomes de Gouveia

Agricultural school of Jundiaí, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Graduate Program in Agricultural Engineering, Federal University of Campina Grande, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract
While acerola is a source of minerals and vitamins, jambolan has a high content of phenolic compounds. The objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of the mixed jambolan, and acerola pulp obtained by drying them in a foam mat. Three foams were produced, composed of mixed pulp + 1% albumin and 0.5% additives (F1: xanthan gum; F2: carboxymethylcellulose; and F3: guar gum), subjected to agitation to form the foam and distributed in trays with 0.5 cm thick and dehydrated at 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 x 4 factorial scheme (3 formulations and 4 drying temperatures) with three replications for the analyses. All powders showed low water content and water activity. All dry samples showed high levels of ascorbic acid and bioactive compounds. However, the increase in drying temperatures resulted in a reduction in acidity. The powders with xanthan gum (F1) generated higher levels of proteins and flavonoids, while the samples with guar gum (F3) had higher levels of solubility and; powders with carboxymethylcellulose (F2) had higher contents of anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, standing in nutritional and functional components among the formulations for drying in a foam mat.

Pages 121-127 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3357
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Understanding the flux of nitrous oxide from the eucalypt soil in monoculture and Integrated Crop–Livestock–Forest systems

Júlia Graziela da Silveira, Charlote Wink, Fernando Vieira Cesário, Natassia Magalhães Armacolo, Anna Karolyne da Silva Nogueira, Jacqueline Jesus Nogueira da Silva, Fernanda Figueiredo Granja Dorilêo Leite, Marcela Cardoso Guilles da Conceição, Silvio Nolasco de Oliveira Neto, Renato de Aragão Ribeiro Rodrigues*

Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, 36570-977, Minas Gerais, Brasil
Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Sinop, 78557-267, Mato Grosso, Brasil
Doutor em Geografia
Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, 86057-970, Paraná, Brasil
Mestra em Agronomia
Doutora em Geociências
Departamento de Geoquímica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, 24020-140, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Embrapa Solos, Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro, 22460-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract
The Brazilian agricultural sector is largely responsible for nitrous oxide (N2O) soil emissions, mainly due to beef cattle and the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Therefore, Brazil is looking for measures, such as integrated crop–livestock–forestry (ICLF), to increase productivity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this sector. The forest component within this system plays a positive role in the context of climate change, soil conservation, carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration, and biodiversity protection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of management and rainfall on N2O emissions in eucalypt monoculture soils and eucalypt soils in ICLF systems. Manual static chambers were used to collect gas samples, from November 2013 to October 2014, in four treatments, i.e., one eucalypt monoculture (F) and three modalities of ICLF (livestock–forest [LF], livestock–crop–forest [LCF], and integrated crop–livestock–forest [ICLF]). A gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector was used to measure the N2O concentrations. The results showed that rainfall considerably affected N2O fluxes across all the treatments, indicating that rainfall is the main factor in increasing emissions. During the wet season, the N2O levels ranged from 0.158 to 0.482 kg N-N2O ha-1 across all treatments. During the dry season, all treatments behaved like sinks of N2O. Moreover, N2O flux did not differ between the soils in the eucalypt monoculture and ICLF systems. This indicates that the forestry component in the ICLF systems did not affect N2O soil fluxes.

Pages 128-136 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3372
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Effect of potassium fertilizers doses on the growth, tuber yield, and resistance to weevil infestation of sweet potato on Latosol soil

Suwarto*, Hajrial Aswidinoor, Fajar Gustian Reyzaldi

IPB University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department Agronomy and Horticulture. Jln. Meranti No.1
Kampus IPB Darmaga, Bogor, Indonesia 16680

Abstract
Major problems in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivation are low yield and high weevil (Cylas formicarius) infestation. The effect of potassium (K) on growth and yield has been intensively reported. However, there is less information on the correlation between K and the resistance to weevil infestation. The aim of the research was to determine the optimum dose of K fertilizers for maximum tuber yield and minimum weevil infestation Sweet potato var. Ase Kapas was planted with a K dose of 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg K2O ha-1. The experiment was conducted using a randomized block design with 4 replications in January – July 2020 at Latosol soil. The experimental plot was 4m x 2m which was divided into 4 ridges. Stem cuttings were planted on the center of the ridge with a 0.20 m spacing. Variables of growth, tuber yield, and level of weevil infestation were observed at 3 weeks after planting and at harvest. There were significant quadratic responses of yield variables to the K application. It is recommended the use of 125 kg K2O ha-1 can provide the highest tuber yield and a significant reduce of weevil infestation level. At the K dose of 125 kg K2O ha-1 , tuber yield increased by 179 % (357.4 g plant-1, compared to the control of 127.9 g plant-1) and the weevil infested tuber was reduced as much as 61.6 % (from 6.46, at the control dose to 2.37 tuber plant-1).

Pages 137-142 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3375
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Isolation of endophytic bacteria from wild plants in dry regions and investigation of their ability to promote plant growth and inhibit pathogenic fungi

Khalid E. Hamed

Department of Plant Production & Protection, College of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, P.O. Box 6622, Saudi Arabia

Abstract
In the dry regions environments such as Saudi Arabia, bacterial endophytes isolated from the roots and soil of healthy wild plants can promote plant growth by developing siderophores, phosphate solubilizing, Indole 3 Acetic Acid (IAA), and inhibit the growth of some plant fungal pathogens. This study aimed to isolate bacteria from wild plants in dry regions and to investigate their ability to be used as plant growth-promoting agent and inhibit plant pathogenic fungi. More than ninety endophytic bacterial isolates associated with the leaves, roots, and soil of healthy wild plants were collected from different sites in the Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of characterizing and testing for their ability to promote plant growth activities and inhibit plant pathogenic fungi. Seventy strains were shown to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 45 isolates produced siderophores, with 16 of these exhibiting large amounts. Twelve isolates tested positive for phosphate solubilization, with two isolates (QUSA 66 and QUSA 91) exhibiting greater efficiency for phosphate solubility. Twenty-five isolates produced more than 100 µg mL-1 of IAA, with production ranging from 100.5 to 404.7 µg mL-1. Six of these bacterial isolates (QUSA 2, 7, 10, 29, 30. and 40) produced more than 200 µg mL-1. A wide spectrum of activities was noted within the pseudomonas strains, indicating promising plant growth-promoting potential (e.g., the isolates from Pulicaria crispa and Calligonum comosum). In vitro results against plant pathogenic fungi showed that fifteen of the bacterial isolates inhibited growth of fungal mycelia by producing wide antagonistic zones. The isolates QUSA 26, 27, 28, 36, and 87 were able to produce siderophores and IAA and to solubilize phosphate. In addition, these isolates delayed mycelium growth of some Fusarium, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis, and Stemphylium spp.

Pages 143-151 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3400
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Identification of critical production factors in planted forests of southern Brazil

Ailson Augusto Loper, Vitor Afonso Hoeflich, João Carlos Garzel Leodoro da Silva, Joésio Deoclécio Pierin Siqueira, Gustavo Silva Oliveira*

Department of Rural Economy and Extension, Federal University of Paraná – UFPR, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract
This work has analyzed the forest-based production chain in the state, especially in the segment consisting of pinus and eucalyptus producing companies, under the prism of the principles of public policy development. The critical factors of the forest production link were detected and prioritized, using the component factor analysis to determine the critical factors and the Friedman test to verify the existence of differences between factors and order them. The Wilconxon test was used to verify the existence of differences in the perception of integrated and non-integrated companies in relation to critical factors. The use of the content analysis technique, theoretically based on the Pestel framework, allowed us to analyze the external environment through the identification of challenges and opportunities and their respective generating macro-environments. Based on the analysis of this compilation of critical factors identified in bibliographical research, 30 critical factors related to forest production were structured. The use of factor analysis and its subsequent interpretation provided the reduction of 30 critical factors in 10 factors. These were considered the critical performance factors of the forest production activity. Based on the analyzes carried out, the great relevance of the application of specific statistical analyzes is verified, aiming at the compilation of critical factors, which are added to the decision-making and articulations that favor forest planning. The critical factors for this study were technology, macroeconomics, logistical and social costs, and legislation. In this context, it is recommended to encourage small and medium-sized forestry companies to take the interactions between the critical factors into account. This needs the forestry-based segment to follow through the development of a joint forestry and industrial policy. In addition, it is recommended that the articulation between the private and government sectors in the search for the development of actions take advantage of the current context of pursuit of sustainability by the end consumer and the state's forestry potential.

Pages 152-161 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3404
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The effects of fertirrigation and Azospirillum brasilense inoculation on photosynthetic compounds of Agave angustifolia

Domitila Jarquín-Rosales, José Raymundo Enríquez-del Valle, Juan José Alpuche-Osorno, Gerardo Rodríguez-Ortiz*, Meredith P Martin, Gisela Virginia Campos-Angeles

Division of Graduate Studies and Research. TecNM / Technological Institute of the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico. Ex˗Hacienda de Nazareno, Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca. Z. C. 71233.
Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico- Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, USA

Abstract
Agave angustifolia is the most important species of the genus Agave in Oaxaca, Mexico for its use as raw material for the production of mescal. However, research is lacking on the best agricultural methods for growing this species, including on the most effective fertilizer rates and on the use on bacterial inoculation. Our objective was to evaluate the production of photosynthetic compounds in A. angustifolia plants originating from seeds when they were fertilized by irrigation and inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense. An experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with a 3×2 factorial arrangement, with the type of irrigation factor at three levels: 1) water; 2) a Steiner nutrient solution composed of N, P, K and micronutrients at 50%; and 3) the nutrient solution at 100%. Subsequently, each irrigation group was separated into two subgroups to evaluate them under the effect of the second factor, inoculation with A. brasilense: 1) inoculated plants; 2) control plants not inoculated for a total of six treatments with 20 plants (replications) per treatment. In each treatment we quantified Chlorophyll a, b and total, Rubisco, and sugars content in foliar samples, as well as the acidity attributed to malic acid at 8:00 and 16:00 hours. We found that plants fertilized and inoculated had bigger leaves with higher amount of chlorophyll a, b and total and higher amounts of sugars and Rubisco compared to both plants unfertilized and without inoculation and to plants with just fertilization or just inoculation alone. Furthermore, the highest acidity value attributed to malic acid occurred during the first hours of the morning, in the plants of all treatments, but more noticeable in those plants fertirrigated with more nutrient solution (100%) and inoculated with A. brasilense. We therefore advise using both fertilization and inoculation for greater growth and accumulation of photosynthetic compounds in A. angustifolia.

Pages 162-168 | Full Text PDF| doi: 10.21475/ajcs.22.16.01.p3280