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This study evaluated a β-D-1,6-glucan derived from the regional oomycete Lasiodiplodia theobromae, comparing its effectiveness with the traditional elicitor ASM in inducing post-harvest resistance in grapes and promoting sustainable practices. Commercial grape varieties (Bordô and Niágara Rosada) were sourced locally and treated with water (Control), β-D-1,6-glucan (200 mg L⁻¹), or ASM (Bion® 500 WG, 100 mg L⁻¹). Grapes treated with β-D-1,6-glucan consistently showed a tendency for lower AUDPC (Area Under the Disease Progress Curve) values across both varieties and injury conditions. In wounded Niágara grapes, ASM initially showed a tendency to reduce AUDPC until the 8th day, but β-D-1,6-glucan had the lowest value by day 10. β-D-1,6-glucan-treated fruits also had the highest Total Phenol Content (TPC) and pulp firmness compared to those treated with ASM or water. This study underscores β-D-1,6-glucan’s potential as a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides, enhancing grape resistance to Glomerela cingulata, extending shelf life, and reducing environmental and health impacts.

Despite the positive results of using elicitors to induce resistance against plant diseases, some factors have inhibited the popularization of their use in agriculture. There is an energetic cost related to the elicitors' induced response which can cause undesired effects on growth under low-pressure disease conditions. Elicitors can create phytotoxicity and show high variation in their efficiency between different genotypes within the same crop; in addition, the positive results related to the induced resistance may not repeat in field treatments, adding to the possibility that they are not economically viable. Thus, we carried out two experiments to investigate the technical and economic efficiency of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and its association with fungicides in the control of leaf diseases of susceptible and resistant wheat varieties, and as how it reflects on the photosynthetic and production performance of wheat. This study showed the limitations of incorporating ASM into foliar fungal disease control in economic terms. However, it was evident that ASM effectively induced plant resistance against Leaf Rust and Powdery Mildew in the field and can be considered a sustainable option for wheat cultivation. Even though its association with chemical control was not the best economic strategy the use of ASM is a tool that can be incorporated into wheat cultivation to minimize the emergence of fungicide-resistant pathogens due to the diversification of modes of action employed and reduce the toxic residue deposition to the environment and human health.

Despite recognizing the importance of genetic improvement in the production of barley grains, little information is available on the contribution of phenological development to the genetic improvement of Brazilian barley. Field experiments were carried out between 2011 to 2013, in the absence of biotic and abiotic stresses and with preventive lodging control. Five two-rowed spring barley cultivars, released between 1968 and 2008, were evaluated. Although there was no significant association in the cycle length (Emergence - Anthesis) of the cultivars with the year of release, the genetic improvement increased the proportion of the Doble ridge - Maximum number of spikelet primordia/Maximum number of spikelet primordia - anthesis period to the total time to anthesis. The period between DR-MNP was increased in modern cultivars, to the detriment of the Doble ridge - Maximum number of spikelet primordia period. However, the duration of the period between emergences to the double ridge (vegetative phase) was not altered in the analyzed period. Barley breeding in Brazil did not change the total number of leaves on the main stem but caused an increase in the number of leaves earlier in the development, favoring the high level of tillering. The leaf architecture of modern barley was altered towards a more vertical inclination (erectophilic canopy), allowing the penetration of photosynthetically active radiation into the crop canopy.

The potential yield of wheat is mainly determined by temperature, solar radiation and the photothermal quotient. The objective of this study was to determine the temporal and spatial variability of the photothermal quotient and the frost risk to identify suitable sowing dates for wheat in Parana State, Brazil. The results showed that the photothermal quotient has greater spatial variability than temporal variability. The sowing date affects crop conditions that can in turn affect yield. However, the photothermal quotient and frost risk fluctuate differently in different Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) regions. The regions VCU 1 and VCU 2 showed greater temporal variability of the photothermal quotient. The photothermal quotient ranged from 1.5 to 2.0 MJ m-2 day ºC in VCU 1, from 1.1 to 1.5 MJ m-2 day ºC in VCU 2 and from 1.0 to 1.2 MJ m-2 day ºC in VCU 3. Sowing performed in June provided the greatest photothermal quotient in all VCU regions. However, June sowing increased the frost risk in VCU 1. Thus, the sowing date can be used as a management tool for the attainment of higher yield in wheat.

Soybean genotypes grown in sub-tropical climate may exhibit lodging. The plant lodging is influenced by soil type and fertility level, sowing date, latitude and altitude of the location, plant population and conditions of crop development. Plant regulators and herbicides are able to avoid or reduce plant lodging. This study aimed to verify the effects of the growth regulators TIBA and daminozide on vegetative growth and yield of soybean cultivar CD 214 RR. The experiment was carried out at a field in randomized block design with four replications in a factorial scheme. The A factor was represented by the combination of regulators TIBA and daminozide and its concentrations, and the Factor B was seven times of evaluation of injury and plant height or eight times of evaluation of lodging. In the range of doses used, the application of daminozide resulted in greater injury to soybean plants than TIBA. The smaller plant height was achieved by the application of 6 g ha-1 of TIBA and 1200 g ha-¹ of daminozide. Treatments with daminozide (100 g ha-¹) and TIBA (10 g ha-1) stood out due to the reduced lodging of soybean plants. Grain weight increased linearly when the levels of TIBA increased. There was a negative correlation between lodging and grain yield and a positive correlation between plant height and lodging. There was also a negative correlation between injury caused by the application of plant regulators and lodging.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito dos eliciadores acibenzolar‑S‑metílico (ASM) e proteína harpina, aplicados em pós‑colheita, na indução de resistência sistêmica à podridão‑amarga em maçãs. Realizaram-se ferimentos mecânicos em maçãs 'Royal Gala' seguidos da aplicação dos eliciadores. Doze horas depois, procedeu-se à inoculação do fungo Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Após 72 horas, realizaram-se as avaliações quanto à área lesionada e ao número de esporos, bem como a coleta de tecido dos frutos para quantificação de proteínas, açúcares totais e redutores, fenóis totais, e para determinação da atividade das enzimas fenilalanina amônia‑liase, superóxido dismutase, catalase, peroxidase e ascorbato peroxidase. A harpina e, em menor grau, o ASM proporcionaram aumento da atividade da enzima peroxidase e a consequente redução da área lesionada e da esporulação de C. gloeosporioides nas maçãs. Esses eliciadores podem ser utilizados como ferramenta de controle no manejo integrado da podridão‑amarga, em pós‑colheita de maçãs 'Royal Gala'.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the protein elicitors acibenzolar‑S‑methyl (ASM) and harpin, applied during the postharvest handling, on a systemic resistance induction to bitter rot on apple. Mechanical injury were made on 'Royal Gala' apples, followed by application of the elicitors. Twelve hours later, inoculation of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was performed. Seventy‑two hours later, evaluations were done for the injured area and the number of spores, and tissue samples were taken to determine the contents of proteins, total and reducing sugars, total phenolics, and the activity of phenylalanine ammonia‑lyase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase enzymes. Harpin, and to a lesser extent, ASM increased the activity of peroxidase enzyme and, in consequence, reduced the injured area and sporulation caused by C. gloeosporioides in apples. These elicitors could be used as a control tool in the integrated management of bitter rot in the postharvest handling of 'Royal Gala' apples.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito dos eliciadores acibenzolar‑S‑metílico (ASM) e proteína harpina, aplicados em pós‑colheita, na indução de resistência sistêmica à podridão‑amarga em maçãs. Realizaram-se ferimentos mecânicos em maçãs 'Royal Gala' seguidos da aplicação dos eliciadores. Doze horas depois, procedeu-se à inoculação do fungo Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Após 72 horas, realizaram-se as avaliações quanto à área lesionada e ao número de esporos, bem como a coleta de tecido dos frutos para quantificação de proteínas, açúcares totais e redutores, fenóis totais, e para determinação da atividade das enzimas fenilalanina amônia‑liase, superóxido dismutase, catalase, peroxidase e ascorbato peroxidase. A harpina e, em menor grau, o ASM proporcionaram aumento da atividade da enzima peroxidase e a consequente redução da área lesionada e da esporulação de C. gloeosporioides nas maçãs. Esses eliciadores podem ser utilizados como ferramenta de controle no manejo integrado da podridão‑amarga, em pós‑colheita de maçãs 'Royal Gala'.

Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miquel, is a medicinal species that belong to the Piperaceae family and commonly called "pariparoba" and "caapeba". It grows in regions rich in humus, humidity and under the shade of trees, which contribute for its best growth as it is considered a species sciophyte. The effect of shade on the yield and chemical composition of essential oil of Pothomorphe umbellata (Piperaceae) leaves was evaluated. Nine-month-old seedlings were planted in October 2002 and subjected to three shade levels (30%, 50%, 70%) and full sun; the experimental design was in randomized blocks, with four treatments and six replications, in split-plot in time scheme. Two harvests of aerial part were made (05/2003 and 05/2004). Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and chemically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest essential oil yield was observed in the second harvest and plants under 30% shade. Twenty-six chemical substances were identified, of which trans-nerolidol was predominant.Pothomorphe umbellata (L.) Miquel é uma espécie medicinal brasileira, pertencente à família Piperaceae e popularmente conhecida como pariparoba e capeba. Desenvolve-se em regiões ricas em húmus, umidade e abaixo das sombras de árvores, que contribuem para seu melhor desenvolvimento, é considerada uma espécie esciófita. Avaliou-se o efeito do sombreamento no teor e composição química do óleo essencial de folhas Pothomorphe umbellata (Piperaceae). Mudas com nove meses foram levadas para campo em outubro de 2002 e submetidas a três níveis de sombreamento (30%, 50%, 70%) e a pleno sol, em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições, no esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Foram realizadas duas colheitas da parte aérea (05/2003 e 05/2004). O óleo essencial foi extraído por hidrodestilação e sua análise química realizada através de CG-EM. O maior teor de óleo essencial ocorreu na segunda colheita em plantas com 30% de sombreamento. Foram identificadas 26 substâncias químicas, sendo o trans-nerolidol, majoritário.

O trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar o efeito alelopático do extrato aquoso de acículas de Pinus taeda na germinação e no desenvolvimento inicial de plântulas de aveia preta comum (Avena strigosa). O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Bioquímica e Fisiologia Vegetal da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR), Campus de Pato Branco, utilizando o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com tratamento fatorial (bifatorial com parcela subdividida no tempo), com três repetições, sob condições de temperatura, umidade e luminosidade controladas. Os tratamentos foram compostos por cinco concentrações (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) de extrato bruto de acículas de pínus em estágio vegetativo (acícula verde), moderadamente decomposto (acícula seca) e em decomposição avançada (acícula decomposta). As avaliações foram realizadas a cada 24 horas. Foram avaliados os parâmetros porcentagem de germinação, velocidade média de germinação e comprimento de radículas e epicótilos das plântulas de Avena strigosa. O estágio de acícula verde afetou significativamente as variáveis avaliadas e esse problema aumentou com a concentração do extrato.The purpose of this study was to verify the allelopathic effect of aqueous extract from the Pinus taeda needles on the germination and development of black oat (Avena strigosa) seedlings. The work was carried out at the Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Laboratory at the Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR), Campus Pato Branco, using a completely randomized design with factorial distribution in three replicates, under temperature, humidity and light controlled conditions. The extract from the pine needles was composed of five percentages (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) from the crude extract (EB) dilution, composed of distilled water + pine needles in vegetative stage (green needles), moderately decomposed (dry needles) and in advanced decomposition (decomposed needles). The germination percentage, average speed of germination, the length of the primary roots and the length from the seedlings roots of Avena strigosa were evaluated. The stage of green needles affected the variables studied and showed linearly effect with the increasing concentration of the crude extract.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito dos eliciadores acibenzolar-S-metil e proteína harpina, aplicados em pós-colheita, na indução de resistência sistêmica à podridão-parda em pêssegos. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em parcelas subdivididas - com e sem ferimentos provocados aos frutos -, e os tratamentos foram constituídos por: acibenzolar-S-metil (50 mg do i.a. L-1), dois produtos comerciais com proteína harpina (80 mg do i.a. L-1) e uma testemunha (água destilada). Os frutos foram pulverizados, individualmente, com 1 mL de solução aquosa com os tratamentos e, após 12 horas, efetuou-se a inoculação com Monilinia fructicola (0,2 mL da suspensão com concentração de 10(5) esporos mL-1, em cada lado do fruto). Após 60 horas da inoculação, avaliaram-se: a área lesionada, a esporulação e o percentual de controle. Determinaram-se os teores de proteínas totais, açúcares redutores e totais, fenóis, além da atividade da enzima fenilalanina amônia-liase (FAL). Os eliciadores induziram resistência dos frutos a M. fructicola, com redução do desenvolvimento do fungo. O uso dos eliciadores aumentou os teores dos parâmetros bioquímicos avaliados e a atividade da FAL, que esteve relacionada à redução da área lesionada em pêssegos. Os indutores podem contribuir para o manejo integrado da podridão-parda em pêssegos, em pós-colheita.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of acibenzolar-S-methyl and harpin protein elicitors, applied in post-harvest, in systemic resistance induction to brown-rot, on peaches. A completely randomized design was utilized, with four replicates, in a split plot scheme - injured or noninjured peaches -, and treatments were constituted of : acibenzolar-S-methyl (50 mg of a.i. L-1), two commercial products with harpin protein (80 mg of a.i. L-1); and control (distilled water). Peaches were sprayed individually with 1 mL of aqueous solution containing the treatments and, after 12 hours, the inoculation of Monilinia fructicola was carried out (0.2 mL of spore suspension with 10(5) spores mL-1, in each side of the fruit). Sixty hours past inoculation, the size of lesions, esporulation and percentage of control were evaluated. The contents of total protein, total phenol, total and reducing sugar, besides activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), were determined. The elicitors induce resistance to M. fructicola, with reduction in fungal development. Elicitor's increased the evaluated biochemical parameters and the activity of PAL, which was related to the size reduction of lesions in peaches. The elicitors could be used in integrated management of brown-rot, in post-harvest applications.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of genetic breeding on grain yield, and to identify the physiological traits associated to the increment in yield and their related growth processes, for wheat cultivars grown in Southern Brazil, in the past five decades. Seven wheat cultivars released between 1940 and 1992, were compared for physiological aspects associated with grain yield. Grain yield, biological yield, biomass partitioning, harvest index and grain yield components were also determined. The number of grains per square meter was more affected by plant breeding and was better correlated with grain yield (r = 0.94, pO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a contribuição do melhoramento genético na produtividade de grãos e identificar as características fisiológicas, associadas ao incremento do rendimento, e os processos de crescimento que as produzem. Foram estudadas sete cultivares de trigo, extensivamente cultivadas na região Sul do Brasil entre 1940 e 1992. As cultivares foram comparadas quanto ao rendimento de grãos, produção biológica, índice de colheita, partição de biomassa e componentes do rendimento. O número de grãos por metro quadrado foi o componente mais afetado pelo melhoramento genético, no período de 52 anos abrangidos pelo estudo, e esteve mais correlacionado ao rendimento de grãos (r = 0,94, p