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The state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is the third largest sunflower producer in Brazil. This study verified the existence of linear relationships between grain yield, oil content, and oil yield in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genotypes evaluated in RS. The data on grain yield (GY), oil content (OC), and oil yield (OY) were obtained from 73 sunflower cultivar trials in 21 municipalities in RS from 1999 to 2018. Scatter diagrams were createdto investigate the relationships between the variables GY, OC, and OY. Then, Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (r) was calculated between the variables, and the Student's t-test was performed at a 5% significance level. There is a positive and significant linear relationship between PG and OY. However, no linear relationship was found between grain yield and oil content in sunflower genotypes. Additionally, a positive linear association of high magnitude (r = 0.9672) was observed between grain yield and oil yield, while a low magnitude (r = 0.2245) was found between oil content and oil yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the economic importance of maize, it is essential to evaluate the performance of genotypes under environmental variations (years, locations, and seasons). Consequently, researchers have scrutinized genotype-environment (G×E) interactions to ensure reliability in genotype recommendations. Furthermore, when a G×E interaction exists, adaptability and stability analysis can be performed. This analysis enables one to identify genotypes with predictable responses and adaptability to environmental variability. Hence, this study sought to determine if there is a G×E interaction and evaluate the response of 16 maize genotypes across seven environments through adaptability and stability analyses. Seven experiments were conducted with 16 maize genotypes using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Tassel length (TL), tassel branch number (TBN), tassel dry matter (TDM), and grain yield (GY) were evaluated. Individual and joint variance analyses were performed, along with the F-test at a 5% significance level. The complex parts of the interaction between genotypes and pairs of environments were estimated, followed by adaptability and stability analyses using the Eberhart and Russell method. A genotype-environment interaction was found for TL, TBN, TDM, and GY, indicating that genotypes respond differently in various environments. However, considering all four traits, there is no indication of the ideal genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to determine the number of plants to be evaluated to allow accurate inferences about the traits under evaluation. Investigating the linear relations among traits is important for identifying traits for indirect selection. So, the objectives of this study were to determine the sample size (number of plants) necessary to estimate the means of forage pea traits and to investigate the relations among the traits. Experiments were carried out in 2021 with three sowing dates (May 3, May 26 and July 13). Five hundred plants were randomly sampled, 100 plants in each of the five evaluation dates (June 25, August 30, July 24, September 17, September 16). In these 500 plants, the traits plant height, number of branches, number of nodes, number of leaves, number of pods, fresh matter of leaves, fresh matter of stems, fresh matter of pods, fresh matter of shoots, dry matter of leaves, dry matter of stems, dry matter of pods, and dry matter of shoots, were evaluated. The sample size was calculated to estimate the means of these traits, based on Student's t-distribution, and the relations among traits were investigated through correlation and path analysis. In an experiment, to estimate the means of these 13 traits of forage pea, with an estimation error of approximately 10% of the mean, 99 plants per treatment should be sampled. The numbers of pods and leaves have a positive linear relations with fresh and dry matter of shoots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hectolitre weight (HW) is the principal quantitative parameter used by receiving units as an indicator of the quality of wheat grain (Triticum aestivum L.). The moisture content and the equipment used can be considered important sources of variation to assess a batch, requiring correct sizing of the sample used to measure the HW. This research identified the variability between the equipment used to evaluate HW with or without correcting the grain moisture content, and to estimate the ideal number of samples for the commercial classification of wheat batches. The experiment was carried out in a randomised block design with four replications. Seven batches of wheat grain from different cultivars and/or production sites were used to measure the HW using three types of equipment (Equipment ‘A’, Equipment ‘B’ and Equipment ‘C’), with and without correcting the grain moisture content to 13%. Higher values for HW were determined with Equipment ‘A’ (77.15) compared to Equipment ‘B’ (75.08) and Equipment ‘C’ (74.69), classifying the wheat according to type. The moisture content affected the HW, but did not change the final classification of the wheat in terms of type. The ideal number of samples for HW ranged from 1 to 18 at the lowest level of precision (HW=mean±1 kg hl-1) and from 67 to 1820 samples for the highest precision (HW=mean±0.1 kg hl-1). Equipment ‘B’ requires a smaller number of samples (possibly as few as one) for the same level of precision (HW=mean±1 kg hl-1), whereas Equipment ‘A’ requires a greater number of samples for the majority of batches. Correctly classifying wheat by HW therefore depends on a larger number of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal diseases in Brazilian regions with tropical and subtropical climates reduce the production potential of corn crops. The use of fungicides is one of the strategies to maintain productivity. This study evaluated the agronomic performance and grain quality of corn hybrids associated with the preventive use of fungicides in subtropical environments. Six experiments were conducted in Santa Maria-RS, São Vicente do Sul-RS, and Frederico Westphalen-RS during two sowing seasons. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement, in which the main plot consisted of two levels of the fungicide factor (with and without) and the sub-plot consisted of six levels of corn hybrids (AG9025, AS1730, P3016, MG300, DKB230, and FEROZ). A total of 216 experimental plots were evaluated for grain productivity, and eight plants per plot were evaluated for other traits, totaling 1,728 evaluated plants. Therefore, environmental conditions influence the interaction between the factors of fungicide use and hybrid cultivar positioning, with no significant interaction in years with a water deficit. Early sowings in subtropical environments indicate better agronomic performance and a lower percentage of moldy grains regardless of the cultivation location, contributing to grain quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to fit the Gompertz and Logistic models for the fresh and dry matter of leaves and the fresh and dry matter of shoots of three lettuce cidtivars and indicate the best model to describe their growth in autumn-winter. The lettuce cultivars Gloriosa, Pira Verde, and Stella were evaluated in the autumn-winter of 2016 and 2017, in soilless in a protected environment. After transplantation, the fresh and dry matter of leaves and shoots were weighed every seven days. These dependent variables were fit using the accumulated thermal sum. The parameters of the Gompertz and Logistic models were estimated, the assumptions of the models were verified, the indicators of fit quality and critical points were calculated and the parametric and intrinsic curvature measures quantified. The Logistic and Gompertz models presented a satisfactory adjustment for the fresh and dry matter of leaves and the fresh and dry matter of shoots, for the lettuce cultivars Gloriosa, Pira Verde and Stella, in autumn-winter. The Logistic model best describes the growth of the lettuce cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal plot size for evaluating the fresh weight of black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) and the common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) in scenarios comprising combinations of the number of treatments, number of replications and levels of precision. Fifteen uniformity trials were conducted with single-crop and intercropped black oats and vetch. Fresh weight was evaluated in 540 basic experimental units (BEU), each of 1 m x 1 m (36 BEU per trial). The Smith index of soil heterogeneity (1938) was estimated. Plot size was determined using the HATHEWAY method (1961), in scenarios comprising combinations of i treatments (i = 5, 10, 15 and 20), r replications (r = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) and d levels of precision (d = 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18% and 20%). To evaluate the fresh weight of monocropped or intercropped black oats and vetch in a completely randomized or randomized complete block design, with from 5 to 20 treatments and five replications, plots of 10 m2 are sufficient to identify, at a probability of 0.05, significant differences between treatments of 10% of the overall mean value of the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the necessary number of experiments to analyze the adaptability and stability of maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) using the Lin and Binns method. Grain yield data extracted from 63 maize cultivar trials were used. Trials were divided in six groups of experiments, according to the cycle (early and super early) and the agricultural year (2002/2003, 2003/2004, and 2004/2005). In each group, from the set of all experiments (reference file) new data files were formed by combinations in groups of 2, 3, 4, ..., n-1 experiments, with a total of 10,683 files. For each file, the estimation of the adaptability and stability parameter (Pi) of the Lin and Binns method was calculated. To verify the degree of association of the estimates of Pi obtained with the combinations of experiments and with all the experiments (reference), Spearman correlation coefficient (r) was used. Number of experiments giving values of r≥0.80 in 100% of the combinations was considered sufficient. Seven experiments sufficed for the analysis of adaptability and stability of maize cultivars by the method of Lin and Binns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eucalyptus crops, it is important to determine the number of plants that need to be evaluated for a reliable inference of growth. The aim of this study was to determine the sample size needed to estimate average trunk diameter at breast height and plant height of inter-specific eucalyptus hybrids. In 6,694 plants of twelve inter-specific hybrids it was evaluated trunk diameter at breast height at three (DBH3) and seven years (DBH7) and tree height at seven years (H7) of age. The statistics: minimum, maximum, mean, variance, standard deviation, standard error, and coefficient of variation were calculated. The hypothesis of variance homogeneity was tested. The sample size was determined by re sampling with replacement of 10,000 re samples. There was an increase in the sample size from DBH3 to H7 and DBH7. A sample size of 16, 59 and 31 plants is adequate to estimate DBH3, DBH7 and H7 means, respectively, of inter-specific hybrids of eucalyptus, with amplitude of confidence interval of 95% equal to 20% of the estimated mean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to determine the influence of the basic experimental unit size (BEU) to estimate the optimum plot size, in the evaluation of white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) fresh matter weight. Data from fresh matter weight to 123, 137 and 150 days after sowing were evaluated. In every season 432BEU 1m x 1m (1m²) were evaluated and 16BEU plans of sizes from 1 to 16m² were formed. For each BEU plan, the optimum plot size was determined by the method of maximum curvature of the coefficient of variation model. The least significant difference by Tukey's test in 448 scenarios formed by the combinations of 16 plot sizes, i treatments (i=5, 10, 15 and 20), and r replicates (r=3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15 and 20) for randomized block designs was calculated. Estimate of optimum plot size depends of the basic experimental unit size. It is indicated to evaluate the fresh matter weight in basic experimental units smallest possible size, for use in the estimation of optimum plot size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to determine the sample size, in terms of number of plants, needed to estimate the average values of productive traits of the pigeon pea and to determine whether the sample size needed varies between traits and between crop years. Separate uniformity trials were conducted in 2011/2012 and 2012/2013. In each trial, 360 plants were demarcated, and the fresh and dry masses of roots, stems, and leaves and of shoots and the total plant were evaluated during blossoming for 10 productive traits. Descriptive statistics were calculated, normality and randomness were checked, and the sample size was calculated. There was variability in the sample size between the productive traits and crop years of the pigeon pea culture. To estimate the averages of the productive traits with a 20% maximum estimation error and 95% confidence level, 70 plants are sufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the sample size, in number of years, to estimate the means monthly rainfall in locations of Mato Grosso do Sul and verify its spacetemporal variability. It was used the rainfall data for the period 1954-2013, collected from the Hydrological Information System of the National Water Agency - ANA. The means and standard deviation were calculated for each of the 384 time series (12 months × 32 locations) and the aleatory and normality data were tested. Then it was verified the homogeneity of variance among months in each locality and among locality in each month and it was determined the sample size to estimate the means monthly rainfall in each month and locality. The sample size (number of years) to estimate the means monthly rainfall is dependent on the month and locality. One concluded that 63 years of data are enough to predict the average monthly rainfall, with an estimation error equal to 45% of estimated average, with a degree confidence of 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this research were to determine the optimum plot size and number of repetitions, to evaluate the fresh weight of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), in times and years. Eighty uniformity trials of 6m×6m (36m2) were conducted. Each trial was divided in 36 basic experimental units (BEU) of 1m×1m, totaling 2,880BEU. The fresh weight of plants, in each BEU was weighed. The agricultural year 2011/2012, were evaluated 16 trials at 127 days after sowing (DAS) and 24 to 139DAS. In 2012/2013, four trials at each of times (163, 167, 170, 174, 177, 181, 184, 188, 191 and 195DAS) were evaluated. The optimum plot size was determined by the method of maximum curvature of the coefficient of variation model and the means compared, among evaluation times and years, by Scott-Knott test. The number of repetitions, in scenarios of combinations of i treatments (i=3, 4, ..., 50) and d minimal differences between treatments means, to be detected as significant, 5% probability by Tukey's test, expressed in percentage of experiment avarage (d=10%, 15%, ..., 50%), was determined by iterative process until convergence. The optimum plot size to evaluate the fresh weight of pigeonpea is was 8.39m2. Four replications, to evaluate up to 50 treatments, are sufficient to identify, as significant at 5% probability by Tukey's test, differences between treatment means of 54.1% of the average experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this research were to determine the optimum plot size (Xo) to evaluate characters of white lupine (Lupinus albus L.) and verify the variability of the Xo among characters and evaluation times. It was carried 36 uniformity assays of size 6m×6m (36m2). Each assay was divided in 36 basic experimental units (UEB) 1m×1m (1m2), totaling 1,296 UEB. The total fresh mass, fresh mass of shoots and fresh mass roots of plant of each UEB was weighed. Three evaluations were carried (123, 137 and 150 days after sowing) and at each assessment were evaluated 12 assays (432UEB). The optimum plot size was determined by the method of maximum curvature of the model coefficient of variation and the means compared by Student’s t test. There is variability in the optimum plot size among characters and evaluation times. The optimum plot size for evaluating the fresh mass of roots is greater than necessary to evaluate the total fresh mass and the fresh mass of shoots, independently of the evaluation time. Higher optimum plot size is necessary when the evaluation is carried out at 123 days after sowing in relation to evaluations for 137 and 150 days after sowing, independently of character. The optimum plot size of 7.48 basic experimental units of 1m2 (7.48m2) is sufficient to evaluate these three characters in these three evaluation times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this research were to determine the optimum plot size and number of repetitions, to evaluate the fresh weight of black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb). Eighteen uniformity assays of 8m×8m (64m2)were conducted. Each assay was divided in 64 basic experimental units (UEB) of 1m×1m, totaling 1,152UEB. The fresh weight of plants, in each UEB was weighed. Nine assays (576UEB) were evaluated at 102 days after sowing and the other nine assays (576UEB) at 106 days after sowing. The optimum plot size (Xo) was determined by the method of maximum curvature of the model coefficient of variation and the means compared, among evaluation times, by Student's t test. The number of repetitions for experiments on completely randomized and randomized block designs, in scenarios of combinations of i treatments (i=3, 4, ..., 50) and d minimal differences between treatments means, to be detected as significant, 5% probability by Tukey test, expressed in percentage of the average of the experiment (d=10%, 12%, ..., 30%), was determined by iterative process until convergence. The optimum plot size to evaluate the fresh weight of black oats is 4.14UEBof 1m2 (4.14m2). Four replications, to evaluate up to 50 treatments, in completely randomized and randomized block designs, are sufficient to identify, as significant at 5% probability by Tukey test, differences between treatment means of 26.7% of the average experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to determine the sample size to estimate the average of morphological and productive traits of turnip (Raphanus sativus L.). In a experiment, 300 plants were randomly selected and measured for morphological traits (plant height and number of leaf at 21, 35, 48, 55, 62, 70, 77 and 91 days after sowing) and productive (fresh and dry matter of roots, stem, leaf and total of 91 days after sowing). Measures of central tendency and variability were calculated, normality was checked and the sample size was calculated. The sample size of productive traits is greater than morphological to estimate average and it has the same precision. For the morphological and productive traits studied 231 plants are enough to predict the average, with an estimation error maximum of 10% of estimated average, with a degree confidence of 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to determine the sample size (number of insects) to estimate the average duration for larval, pupal and larval + pupal periods for M. ochroloma and M. semilaevis. Adults of both species were collected at a 0.25ha experimental area of forage turnip (Raphanus sativus L.) and for laboratory rearing (temperature 25±2°C, relative humidity 60±10% and photoperíod 12 hours). Afterwards larval, pupal and larval + pupal periods were measured, in days, of 119 and 81 insects, respectively, M. ochroloma and M. semilaevis. It was calculated measures of central tendency and variability and determined the sample size using bootstrap with replacement of 10000 samples. For estimating the average larval, pupal and larval + pupal periods, with amplitude of bootstrap confidence interval of 95%, equal a day, 42 and 35 insects are sufficient, respectively for both M. ochroloma and M. semilaevis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to compare two methods of estimating the optimum plot size (Xo) to assess 12 characters of corn hybrids single, triple and double and verify the variability of the Xo among characters and hybrids. It was measured morphological (height plant and cob) and productive (ear weight, number of rows per ear, length and diameter of ear, weight and diameter of cob, weight of hundred grains, number of grain per ear and length and grain yield) characters, in basic experimental units of a meter, in 48 uniformity assays. The Xo was determined using the methods of the maximum curvature modified and the maximum curvature of the model coefficient of variation for each character. The optimum plot size obtained by maximum curvature modified method is concordant, but higher than obtained by maximum curvature of the model coefficient of variation. The optimum plot size of productive characters is greater the morphological. The optimum plot size among the hybrids is 5.04 basic experimental units for the simple hybrid (4.03m2), 5.24 for the triple hybrid (4.19m2) and 5.53 for the double hybrid (4.42m2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was used data from 19 locations of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, collected from 1953 to 2007, with the objective to determine the sample size to estimate the average monthly rainfall. The central tendency, variability and asymmetry was calculated for each of the 228 time series (12 months x 19 locations) and the aleatory and normality data were tested. Then it was verified the homogeneity of variance among months in each locality and among places in each month and it was determined the sample size to estimate the average monthly rainfall in each month and locality. The sample size (number of years) to estimate the average monthly rainfall is dependent on the month and locality. One concluded that 51 years of data are enough to predict the average monthly rainfall, with an estimation error equal to 25% of estimated average, with a degree confidence of 95%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planning agricultural activities requires that climatic risks in each location and time of year are estimated with maximum precision. In this study data from 15 locations of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were used with the objective of studing spatial and temporal variability of the precision estimates average of monthly rainfall, sunshine, solar radiation global and temperatures minimum, mean and maximum. It was estimated the estimation error (half-amplitude of the confidence interval) (EE) in percentage of estimate average monthly rainfall, sunshine, solar radiation global and temperatures minimum, mean and maximum for each month and location, which was used as a measure of precision. From the EE, for each meteorological elements, months and locations were clustered by hierarchical method of Ward. The Pearson's linear correlation coefficient between the arrays of the standardized average euclidian distance and graphics was calculated in order to check the clusters consistency. It was concluded that the precision estimates, average of months and locations, between the meteorological elements, increases in the following order: rainfall (EE=21.66%), sunshine (EE=6.74%), global solar radiation (EE=5.52%) and temperatures minimum (EE=4.40%), mean (EE=2.63%) and maximum (EE=2.27%). Results showed that there is variability in precision estimate of monthly average rainfall, sunshine, global solar radiation and minimum, mean and maximum temperatures in Rio Grande do Sul, both in temporal and spatial scale. Estimates based on 30 years data are less precision in April, May, June, July, August and September in relation to the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to determine the number of environments (experiments) that were necessary to identify the diversity in common bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), by cluster methods based on productive, phenologic and morphologic traits. Thirteen common bean cultivars were evaluated in nine experiments conducted in Santa Maria, in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (latitude 29°42'S, longitude 53°49'W, altitude 95m) in the agricultural years of 2000/2001 and 2004/2005. Randomized blocks design with three replications was installed to evaluate the following characters: grain yield, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, weight of 100 grains, final population of plants, number of days of the emergency to flowering, number of days of the emergency to harvest, height of first pod insertion, height of the final pod insertion and degree of the down. In the central depression region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, seven and six experiments are sufficient to identify the diversity in common bean cultivars, by hierarchical methods of the Ward and optimizing Tocher, respectively, for productive, phenologic and morphologic traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain yield data were used from 65 maize cultivar trials carried out in the State of the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the years of 2002/2003, 2003/2004 and 2004/2005, with the objective of comparing the following methods of adaptability and stability analysis: Yates and Cochran, Plaisted and Peterson, Wricke, Annicchiarico, Finlay and Wilkinson, Eberhart and Russell, Tai, Toler, Silva and Barreto, Cruz et al., Huehn, Lin and Binns modified by Carneiro and analysis AMMI. To verify the degree of association between the estimates of adaptability and stability parameters, obtained by the different methods, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used. There is an agreement in the indication of maize cultivars by the methods of Plaisted and Peterson and Wricke, of Annicchiarico and Lin and Binns modified by Carneiro, of Eberhart and Russell and Tai, and of Toler and Silva and Barreto, which counter-indicates their concomitant use. To a lesser degree of association the AMMI analysis agrees with the estimates of the stability parameters, Plaisted and Peterson, Wricke, Eberhart and Russell, Tai, Silva and Barreto and Cruz et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editors discuss the importance of herbicide leaching soil, research on Collectotrichum species, and urban migration in Turkey.

The objective of this research was to determine the amino acid composition of early generations in common bean developed from controlled crossings with high cysteine content parental and to identify plants with high cysteine content. 'TPS Nobre' x 'Minuano' were crossed and the F1, F1 reciprocal, F2, F2 reciprocal, backcross 1 e backcross 2 generations were obtained. The amino acid contents were determinated by liquid chromatography of high performance (HPLC) and the data were submitted to analysis of variance and cannonical variables. The cysteine, proline, tyrosine, arginine, isoleucine and histidine contents showed genetic variability between the parents and the generations. The essential and nonessential amino acids contents obtained from the parents, F1 and F1 reciprocal generations were appropriate to be consumed. Other generations showed deficiency of the sulfur amino acids. The two first cannonical variables explained 96.43% of the total variation of the genotypes and two groups were formed. None of the plants of the F2 generation is able to be selected by program of improvement to the development of segregating populations of common bean with high cysteine content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The likelihood ratio test (LRT), to the independence between two sets of variables, allows to identify whether there is a dependency relationship between them. The aim of this study was to calculate the type I error and power of the LRT for determining independence between two sets of variables under multivariate normal distributions in scenarios consisting of combinations of 16 sample sizes; 40 combinations of the number of variables of the two groups; and nine degrees of correlation between the variables (for the power). The rate of type I error and power were calculate at 640 and 5,760 scenarios, respectively. A performance evaluation of the LRT was conducted by computer simulation by the Monte Carlo method, using 2,000 simulations in each scenario. When the number of variables was large (24), the TRV controlled the rate of type I errors and showed high power in sizes greater than 100 samples. For small sample sizes (25, 30 and 50), the test showed good performance because the number of variables did not exceed 12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different managements of ryegrass straw in the off-season of irrigated rice on the initial establishment of plants, nutrient cycling and grain yield of the irrigated rice. The experiment was conducted in lowland area during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 crop seasons, in a randomized complete block, with five replications and the treatments were constituted by: ryegrass desiccation timings before the rice planting, fallow and straw removal through ryegrass hay production. There is a reduction of rice stand as there is a delay in the ryegrass desiccation approaches to rice planting. Use of ryegrass in lowlands intensifies the nutrient cycling; however, it is recommended that in non grazed ryegrass the desiccation should be performed 60 days before the irrigated rice planting without reducing grain yield. Ryegrass hay production is a viable alternative for the off-season in lowlands because it does not reduce the initial establishment of irrigated rice plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objetive of this research was to conduct a study on accidental field burns in the county of Santa Maria-RS, Brazil to identify and characterize sites where they most frequently occur with the objective of helping in the planning and controlling of those burns. The variable of interest was the number of daily calls received by the Santa Maria Fire Department, from January 1st 1993 to December 31st 2004. It was observed that the Fire Department received on average 1.81 daily calls; that the calls were followed by a dry period of four days, on average; and most calls occurred during the afternoon and alongside the almost unhabited RS 287 highway. The month with the highest number of calls was August, and the year 1999 presented the highest occurrence number of field burns. Finally, the number of calls was equally distributed along the weekdays. The margins of the highways and the following city districts: Distrito Industrial, Medianeira, Itararé, Tomazzetti and Parque Pinheiro Machado presented the highest chances of burnings occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]