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Flavescence dorée (FD) has been recorded in French vineyards since the mid-1950s; it has rapidly become a major threat to vineyard survival in different European grape-growing areas. Infection by the phytoplasma ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis’ causes leaf chlorosis and disturbs primary and secondary core metabolic pathways; it can also occlude sieve plates, therefore affecting normal solute transport through the phloem. Thus, in the present study we hypothesised that the metabolomic fingerprint of the phloem sap changes in FDp-infected vines. The metabolome of the phloem sap collected by centrifugation from the bark of the stem of healthy and infected vines (cv. ‘Loureiro’) was profiled by ESI-HRMS at two snapshot time points: E-L 33 (grape berry still hard and green) and E-L 38 (grape berry at maturity). An untargeted analysis of the phloem sap enabled the identification of 476 metabolites, whereas the targeted analysis focused on eight main classes, namely acids, sugar and polyols, amino acids, phenolic acids, hormones, vitamins and N compounds, as well as on several minor classes like fatty acids, phenols or diols. Depending on the developmental stage of the vine, major differences were observed in the composition of cv. ‘Loureiro’ phloem sap in response to FD infection in terms of sugar, organic acid and amino acid content; furthermore, compounds involved in plant defense, such as salicylic acid, ABA, vitamin C and gallic acid also significantly changed. Overall, these results have contributed towards increasing knowledge about the complex interactions between vine and FD phytoplasma.

During their lifespan, grapes are exposed to conditions that can endanger plant health, including fluctuating climate and infection by pests and insects. In particular, attacks by filamentous fungi represent huge annual losses for grape farmers. Present concerns about rising antimicrobial resistance, fungicide prohibitions and shifting consumer tastes are driving the search for less harmful ways of preventing damage to grapevine by pathogenic fungi. In this study, the antagonist activity of yeasts isolated from grape berry surface microbiota was assessed by in vitro and in vivo assays on an assortment of grapevine fungal pathogens, including Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger. The results show that W. anomalus, A. pullulans, C. intermedia, R. glutinis, Z. meyerae and H. takashimae were able to inhibit by 75 to 100 % mycelia growth and sporulation of the filamentous fungi in vitro. Strains of M. pulcherrima and S. bacillaris also showed 50 to 75 % efficacy in reducing mould growth. The strains were further assessed on incised leaves of 2-month-old grapevines for their ability to reduce disease incidence by the filamentous fungi. W. anomalus, A. pullulans, M. pulcherrima, C. intermedia and R. glutinis significantly reduced infection symptoms in the leaves, indicating their potential as effective biocontrol yeasts in the vineyard.

Climate changes are speeding up the maturation of grapes in numerous areas of the world, including in the Mediterranean basin, but warmer temperatures often uncouple technical and phenolic maturity, resulting in unbalanced wines. We tested the efficacy of crop forcing (CF) in delaying the maturation of cv. ‘Touriga Nacional’ vines of the Douro Region, and their impacts on plant performance, berry quality attributes and metabolome were also evaluated. In two consecutive seasons (2019 and 2020), CF was conducted 15 (CF1) and 30 (CF2) days after fruit set by hedging growing shoots to five nodes and removing summer laterals, leaves and clusters. Results showed that while CF2 delayed ripening up to 51 days till first autumn rainfall, which compromised optimal sugar ripeness, CF1 delayed the technical maturation by one month, but both treatments severely impacted the production, mainly CF1, which reduced grapevine yield up to 90 %. The effect of CF in protecting vines against drought stress was not evident, judging by the values of leaf pre-dawn water potential measured along both seasons. CF1 and CF2 resulted in berries with lower pH and higher titratable acidity than controls, while total phenolics content increased by up to 48 % in 2020. A UPLC–MS-based targeted metabolomic analysis showed that CF increased the relative abundance of key metabolites like flavan-3-ols (i.e., catechin gallate increased by up to 661 %), trihydroxylated anthocyanins (i.e., delphinidin-3-O-glucoside increased by up to 656 % after CF2) and stilbenes (resveratrol increased by up to 700 % after CF2) with potential positive impacts in wine quality.

The relevance of non-Saccharomyces native yeasts for improving the complexity of wine aroma is increasingly recognised, besides their use in a range of biotechnological applications. Previously, we used a metagenomic approach to assess the effects of vineyard calcium sprays on the microbiota of grape berries cv. Vinhão and Loureiro. In this study, we aimed at assembling a catalogue of the cultivable yeasts from grape berries of these cultivars and to investigate the direct effect of calcium and other elicitors on the isolated taxa. Seventeen unique colony morphologies were identified, and the sequencing of the region spanning the rDNA internal transcribed spacers or the rDNA D1/D2 domain revealed that they are distributed into 13 different genera. Although the cultivar and vintage influenced the taxa abundance and diversity, Aureobasidium pullulans and Hanseniaspora uvarum were the most abundant species, ubiquitously populating the fruits together with Pichia terricola, Rhodotorula glutinis, Starmerella bacillaris and Vishniacozyma heimaeyensis. The rarest genera comprised Candida, Trichosporon and Zygoascus. Analysis of yeast growth in the presence of specific elicitors revealed that Pichia spp. are the most sensitive to exogenous calcium, while Sporobolomyces roseus is the most sensitive to copper exposure. Moreover, A. pullulans, H. uvarum and S. bacillaris displayed the highest sensitivity to osmotic stress. In turn, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, P. fermentans, P. kluyveri and P. kudriavzevii showed mild resistance to ethanol, unlike the remaining non-Saccharomyces yeasts. Correlation networks expressing the overall yeast performance showed that H. uvarum and S. bacillaris share the strongest positive interspecies correlation, followed by the pairs P. fermentans–P. kluyveri, B. albus–R. glutinis and A. pullulans–V. heimaeyensis. The strongest negative correlations were found for the pairs P. kluyveri–S. roseus, P. terricola–W. anomalus, P. kudriavzevii–V. heimayensis, P. kluyveri–V. heimayensis, and A. pullulans–P. kluyveri. This study exposed microbial niches with a predictably common response to abiotic stress.

Popcorn cultivation has been growing in and has positively affected the Brazilian economy. However, these crops are grown with genotypes susceptible to diseases, generating high losses. Thus, studies aimed at obtaining resistant genotypes are particularly interesting, as popcorn is susceptible to several pathogens. The most efficient, environmentally correct, and economical method of disease control is using resistant cultivars. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of inbred lines of popcorn and their respective testcross hybrids in terms of diseases caused by fungi. For this purpose, 15 S7 inbred lines were crossed with five testers, four with a narrow genetic basis (inbred lines L270, L651, P1, and L70) and one with a broad genetic basis (open pollination variety PARA 172). The arrangement of treatments in incomplete blocks (lattice 10 × 10) with three replications was used. The testcross was efficient in the discrimination per se of the progenies and the testers. The inbred lines L685, L691, L696, and L684 and the PARA 172 tester showed potential resistance to P. polysora, B. maydis, and E. turcicum. The GT biplot method proved reliable in identifying efficient, responsive, and resistant inbred lines and revealing the hybrid 56 as the ideal genotype.

ABSTRACT: The potential expression of crop productivity is a constant challenge for plant breeders in the face of oscillations in environmental variables, making selection difficult and increasing the operational and methodological costs in obtaining the ideal cultivar for a determined region. The objective of the research was to investigate the effects of genotype x environment interaction in the selection of cowpea lines with high grain yield, adaptability, and genotypic stability simultaneously, in environments of the Northwest region of Rio de Janeiro State, using mixed models (Maximum Restricted Likelihood - REML/Best Linear Unbiased Prediction - BLUP). 27 cowpea genotypes were evaluated in six environments by combining location (Cambuci-RJ and Bom Jesus do Itabapoana-RJ) and year (2016, 2017 and 2018). A randomized block design with four replications was performed. The genetic parameters were estimated via the REML/BLUP procedure, and the selection was based on the harmonic mean method of the relative performance of the genetic values (HMRPGV). A meaningful difference was observed for environment and genotype x environment interaction. The residual variance and the variance of the genotype x environment interaction formed the most significant fractions of the phenotypic variance. Lines 4 (Bico-de-ouro 1-5-24), 6 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-4), 5 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-26), and 9 (Pingo-de-Ouro 1-5-8), stood out as superior in terms of stability and adaptability and grain yield by HMRPGV. Commercial cultivars 13 (BRS-Tumucumaque) and 26 (BRS-Itaim) had high grain yield, adaptability, and specific stability in the evaluated edaphoclimatic conditions.

ABSTRACT: The harvesting process is a current challenge for the commercial production of microalgae because the biomass is diluted in the culture medium. Several methods have been proposed to harvest microalgae cells, but there is not a consensus about the optimum method for such application. Herein, the methods based on sedimentation, flocculation, and centrifugation were evaluated on the recovery of Chlorella sorokiniana BR001 cultivated in a low-nitrogen medium. C. sorokiniana BR001 was cultivated using a low-nitrogen medium to trigger the accumulation of neutral lipids and neutral carbohydrates. The biomass of C. sorokiniana BR001 cultivated in a low-nitrogen medium showed a total lipid content of 1.9 times higher (23.8 ± 4.5%) when compared to the biomass produced in a high-nitrogen medium (12.3 ± 1.2%). In addition, the biomass of the BR001 strain cultivated in a low-nitrogen medium showed a high content of neutral carbohydrates (52.1 ± 1.5%). The natural sedimentation-based process was evaluated using a sedimentation column, and it was concluded that C. sorokiniana BR001 is a non-flocculent strain. Therefore, it was evaluated the effect of different concentrations of ferric sulfate (0.005 to 1 g L-1) or aluminum sulfate (0.025 to 0.83 g L-1) on the flocculation process of C. sorokiniana BR001, but high doses of flocculant agents were required for an efficient harvest of biomass. It was evaluated the centrifugation at low speed (300 to 3,000 g) as well, and it was possible to conclude that this process was the most adequate to harvest the non-flocculent strain C. sorokiniana BR001.

This study aimed to identify the genetic control of morphological, water status, and root traits in four inbred lines and their pre-selected hybrid combinations of popcorn, and to identify the best parents and hybrids. The plants were grown under greenhouse conditions, and with two water conditions—water-stressed (WS) and well-watered (WW). We evaluated shoot biomass (SB), whole plant leaf area (WPLA), chlorophyll content, carbon isotope discrimination, net CO2 assimilation rate, the stomatal conductance, transpiration, cumulative plant transpiration, and root weight density in three sections. The reductions in SB and WPLA are attributed to stomatal causes, given the maintenance of water condition values in water-stressed plants. In fact, the stomata were closed for long periods during plant growth under the water-stressed condition, as indicated by the more negative carbon isotope discrimination values. The root weight density, regardless of soil depth and water conditions, was higher in hybrids. There was a preponderance of non-additive effects in the control of morphological and root traits, especially in the WS condition, and heterosis was shown to be the fundamental strategy for obtaining superior hybrids. For water status traits, it is essential to choose the female parent in the crossing block, given the maternal effect expressed by net CO2 assimilation rate, stomatal conductance, and transpiration.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the discriminatory capacity of tester lines for tropical corn lines converted to supersweet shrunken (sh2) gene, for the development of hybrids adapted to tropical conditions. Lines were used as female parents in crosses with three testers: open-pollinated mixed variety; supersweet line L4; supersweet commercial hybrid Tropical Plus. Four trials were carried out to evaluate topcrosses in Maringá - PR e Sabáudia - PR, Brazil in the main growing season of 2015/16. The following traits were evaluated: total ear weight (TEW, in kg), commercial ear weight (CEW, in kg) and total soluble solids (TSS, in °Brix). The GCA estimates for TEW and CEW were highest for L4. The lines Balu-114 and UEM-25 were selected based on the effects of g ̂ ifor the traits studied and should be used in the establishment of base populations for the breeding of superior lines. The s ̂ ijvalue for TEW was highest for cross BALU-182 x Tropical, while for CEW was the highest value for cross BALU-94 x Mista.

Salinity stress is a barrier to crop production, quality yield, and sustainable agriculture. The current study investigated the plant growth promotion, biochemical and molecular characterization of bacterial strain Enterobacter cloacae PM23 under salinity stress (i.e., 0, 300, 600, and 900 mM). E. cloacae PM23 showed tolerance of up to 3 M NaCl when subjected to salinity stress. Antibiotic-resistant Iturin C (ItuC) and bio-surfactant-producing genes (sfp and srfAA) were amplified in E. cloacae PM23, indicating its multi-stress resistance potential under biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, the upregulation of stress-related genes (APX and SOD) helped to mitigate salinity stress and improved plant growth. Inoculation of E. cloacae PM23 enhanced plant growth, biomass, and photosynthetic pigments under salinity stress. Bacterial strain E. cloacae PM23 showed distinctive salinity tolerance and plant growth-promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, ACC deaminase, and exopolysaccharides production under salinity stress. To alleviate salinity stress, E. cloacae PM23 inoculation enhanced radical scavenging capacity, relative water content, soluble sugars, proteins, total phenolic, and flavonoid content in maize compared to uninoculated (control) plants. Moreover, elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes and osmoprotectants (Free amino acids, glycine betaine, and proline) were noticed in E. cloacae PM23 inoculated plants compared to control plants. The inoculation of E. cloacae PM23 significantly reduced oxidative stress markers under salinity stress. These findings suggest that multi-stress tolerant E. cloacae PM23 could enhance plant growth by mitigating salt stress and provide a baseline and ecofriendly approach to address salinity stress for sustainable agriculture.

Recurrent selection can generate successive gains for characters of economic interest without causing genetic narrowing in the population. However, it has rarely been used in breeding programs in popcorn, especially when using full-sibling progenies to generate more expressive gains. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic gain of the UENF-14 popcorn population through recurrent selection, and verify the evolution of the gains between the selection cycles four and eight. A total of 200 full-sibling progenies were evaluated in randomized blocks arranged in eight sets within three replicates in two environments; each set containing twenty-five progenies and six controls (selection cycles 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the UENF-14, BRS-Angela and IAC-125). The average height, prolificacy, 100-grain weight, ear weight, grain yield, and grain popping expansion of the plants were evaluated. In the selection of the thirty superior progenies for the eighth cycle, the Mulamba and Mock selection index was used, which generated estimated genetic gains of 4.60 for grain yield and 3.61% for popping expansion. The grain yield increased 111.99 kg ha-1 and the popping expansion increased 1.75 mL g-1 per cycle. The evolution of the cycles resulted in an accumulated genetic gain for the main characters of economic importance, allowing the prediction of success in the continuity of the recurrent selection.

The present study was conducted with the objective of analyzing the covariance structure and repeatability estimates of the variables related to guava productivity, such as fruit weight (FW), fruit number (FN) and fruit production (FP) of three harvests, in 95 genotypes of a segregating population. The study also aims to choose the most appropriate covariance structure of the observations within the same individual by means of AIC (Akaike's Information Criterion) and SBC (Schwarz's Bayesian Criterion) criteria. A covariance structure between repeated measures could be incorporated into the statistical model, with the self-regression and compound symmetry forms being the most adequate. The values of repeatability coefficients obtained for FW (0.25), FN (0.14), and FP (0.29) were considered low, indicating that the three harvests were not sufficient to select the best individuals with greater accuracy for the study population. For the variables PF and FP, estimates of accuracy around 0.50 could be obtained from five measurements, while for the variable FN more harvests would be necessary. These values indicate that in guava-segregating populations, evaluations in the first harvests are not enough to select more stable genotypes for the variables considered in this study.

Getting around the damage caused by drought is a worldwide challenge, particularly in Brazil, given that economy is based on agricultural activities, including popcorn growing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate popcorn inbred lines under water stressed (WS) and well-watered (WW) conditions regarding agronomic attributes, root morphology, and leaf “greenness” index (SPAD index), besides investigating the viability of indirect selection by canonical correlations (CC) of grain yield (GY) and popping expansion (PE). Seven agronomic, six morphological root traits were evaluated and SPAD index at five different dates during grain filling. The WS (−29% less water than WW) affected significantly the GY (−55%), PE (−28%), increased the brace and crown root density, and more vertically oriented the brace and crown angles. Higher SPAD index is associated with a higher yield, and these measures were the only ones with no significant genotype × water condition interaction, which may render concomitant selection for WS and WW easier. For associating the corrections of the different traits, CC proved to have better potential than simple correlations. Thus, the evaluation of SPAD index at 29 days after the anthesis showed the best CC, and based on the previous results of SPAD index, may be used regardless of the water condition.

The global boom in agricultural production has been associated with the exponential increase of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application. This heavy use of nitrogen in agriculture has caused negative impacts on the environment. Therefore, new alternatives are needed to maintain or increase maize yield but reduce the environmental impact. For this purpose, one possibility is to plant N-use efficient (NUE) cultivars. In this context, the objective of this study was to identify popcorn hybrid cultivars that are highly NUE and N-responsive, bred from crosses between inbred lines with contrasting levels of N-use efficiency. For this purpose, 90 hybrids were evaluated in a 10 × 10 triple lattice design at two sites and two levels of N availability (low and ideal availability). The results indicated that for the environment with low nitrogen availability, the lack of nitrogen reduced the chlorophyll content, extended the interval between male and female flowering, and affected the performance of the tested hybrids. However, we observed the existence of hybrids with greater efficiency than the responsiveness to nitrogen and with high productivity. These can even be used on farms where the level of production inputs is low, thus contributing to ensure food security.

The objective of this research was to analyze the use of cultivar index selection (GARCIA, 1998) in the indication of superior genotypes of common bean for the northwest region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in comparison to the other nonparametric indices used in plant breeding. The indexes of ELSTON (1963), MULAMBA & MOCK (1978), SCHWARZBACH (1972) and GARCIA (1998) were employed in the evaluation of 14 strains (F9 e F10) of common bean of indeterminate growth habit. The experiments were conducted in the municipalities of Bom Jesus do Itabapoana (2010 and 2011) and Cambuci (2011). The design employed was of randomized blocks with four repetitions. The traits pod yield (PRODV), grain yield (PRODG), average number of pods per plant (NMVP), average weight of pod (PMV) and average number of seeds per pod (NMSV) were assessed. The index of GARCIA (1998) proved to be more efficient than the other indexes, since it showed more correlation with PRODV and selected more productive strains. The recommended genotypes were: UENF 7-5-1 and UENF 7-6-1, followed by the genotypes UENF 7-10-1, UENF 7-12-1 and UENF 7-20-1.

An experiment with families belonging to the first selection stage (T1) of the Sugar Cane Breeding Program (PMGCA) of the Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ)/RIDESA was carried out in the Plant Disa, located in the municipality of Conceição da Barra-ES, in 2006, aiming to evaluate families, for the selection of superior plants for the later stages of the breeding program of the culture. Sixty-eight full-sib families and three genotypes considered standards with potential recommendation for the area under study were evaluated. The experiment was arranged in a statistical randomized block design, in which the families were grouped into four sets. Each set had four replicates and one hundred seedlings per plot, with spacing of 0.5 meters between plants and 1.40 between rows. The evaluations were conducted during two growing seasons, corresponding to the first and second ratoon, 2008 and 2009, respectively. The traits stem diameter (DMC), total weight of the plot (P), number of stems (NC) Brix of the lower stem (Brix PE) and Brix of the upper stem (Brix PT) were assessed. All traits were significant for the genotypes, by the F test (P

The use of natural coagulants and organic filters locally produced and low financial cost can provide attenuation problems in discharge of wastew aters, without treatment, into watercourses. Was ev aluated in this study the efficiency of the coagulation pro cess, using the Ca(OH) 2 in the preparation of Moringa seed extract, followed by filtration sawdust in the trea tment of sewage. In the tank of 150 L containing se wage was added a solution of the moringa seed extract prepar ed with Ca(OH) 2 0.011 mol L -1 at a concentration of 2.2 grams of seed per liter of wastewater to be treated . The coagulated effluent was applied to organic fi lter and the filtrate volume was converted in pore volume. Physi cal and chemical analyses were carried out in the i nfluent and effluent of the two treatment structure for the evaluation of treatment efficiency. The treatments by coagu- lation followed by filtration provided removals of 98.0, 75.3, 75.8, 75.0, 79, 7, 59.0 and 88.3% of tu rbidity, Total Solids, Total Fixed Solids, Total Volatile So lids, Total Suspended Solids, Suspended Solids Fixe d and Volatile Suspended Solids and of 51.2, 88.7, 72.6; 33.5 and 38.5% of Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemic al Oxygen Demand, Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Sodium.

To define breeding strategies, the understanding of trait inheritance is critical. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of popcorn under different water regimes. To this end, Hayman's diallel methodology was used, with 8 parents and 28 hybrids. The experiment was carried out under well-watered conditions (WW) and water stress (WS). For popping expansion (PE) under both water regimes, the effects of complete dominance and greater importance of the components associated with the dominance effects were observed. In contrast, the number of dominant genes was zero and the determination coefficient in the narrow sense was >50%; additive effects were also present. For the number of grains per row (GR), ear length (EL), and grain yield (GY) under WS and WW conditions, the dominance effects were the most relevant, and the mean degree of dominance with overdominance effects and greatest relevance of the components associated with this effect were also observed. The same breeding methods can be applied under the studied WS and WW conditions. Exploiting heterosis for GY and related components is a promising way to adapt popcorn to WS. To be able to capitalize on additive and dominance effects, a reciprocal recurrent selection is recommended.

The objective of this study was to estimate the direct and indirect effects of agricultural, morphological, physiological, and root traits of popcorn lines, under two conditions of water supply: full irrigation (FI) and drought stress (DS). A complete randomized block design with three replications was used to evaluate the following traits: expanded popcorn volume per hectare (EPV), 100-grain weight (100GW), mean ear length, mean ear diameter, number of grains per row (NGR), prolificacy (PRO), anthesis to silking interval, tassel length, number of tassel branches, plant height, shoot dry matter, green index (SPAD), and canopy temperature depression (CTD), root angle (RA), tap root volume (TRV), and crown root volume (CRV). Analyses of variance and path analysis, and subsequent partitioning of direct and indirect effects were performed. For the traits EPV, PRO, CTD, RA, CRV and TRV, the genotype x environment interaction was significant. Drought stress had significant effects on EPV (−7.15%), 100GW (−23.52%), SPAD (−29.31%), CTD (87.15%), RA (24.54%), and CRV (44.89%). The traits NGR and SPAD were found to be decisive for the expression of EPV. The exploitation of these traits by indirect selection is expected to induce increments in EPV in environments under DS and FI.

O aumento significativo da produção de milho na segunda safra no Brasil, principalmente no centro-sul do país, têm estimulado os programas de melhoramento da cultura a selecionar genótipos que sejam adaptáveis às condições climáticas das diferentes épocas de semeadura. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi quantificar a interação progênies x épocas de semeadura e verificar seus reflexos no progresso genético com o uso de índice de seleção multivariado para seleção de progênies do Composto Isanão VF-1 de milho. As semeaduras foram realizadas na segunda safra em 2004 e na primeira safra do ano agrícola 2004/05. Foram utilizadas 71 progênies de meios irmãos avaliadas em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Os caracteres avaliados foram: altura de plantas, altura de espigas, tombamento, prolificidade e rendimento de grãos. Realizaram-se a decomposição da interação progênies x épocas e foram estimados os ganhos pelo índice de seleção descrito por Mulamba e Mock. Houve predomínio da interação do tipo simples para maioria dos caracteres, exceto para prolificidade, que revelou 86% de interação do tipo complexa. Pelo índice de Mulamba e Mock, os ganhos proporcionais mais adequados para o conjunto de caracteres avaliados foi obtido pelos pesos econômicos atribuídos por tentativas. Os ganhos preditos foram de 1,41, 0,86, -13,03, 9,54 e 16,12% para altura de planta, altura de espiga, tombamento, prolificidade e rendimento de grãos, respectivamente.The significant increase in maize production in the second season crop in Brazil, mainly in central-south of the country have stimulated breeding programs to select genotypes adapted to the climatic conditions of different sowing times. The objective of this study was to quantify the progenies x sowing times interaction and check its reflexes on the genetic progress with the use of multivariate selection for selection progenies of the maize Composite Isanão VF-1. Sowings were done in the second growing season, in 2004 and in first growing season of the 2004/05 crop year. A total of 71 half-sib progenies were evaluated in a randomized block design with three replications. The traits evaluated were: plant height, ear height, lodged and broken plants, prolificacy and grain yield. There was decomposition of progenies x sowing times interaction and gains from selection index Mulamba and Mock were estimated. There was a predominance of the simple interaction for most traits, except prolificacy, which revealed 86% of complex type interaction. For the index Mulamba and Mock, proportional gains most appropriate for the traits set was obtained by the economic weights assigned by attempts. The predicted gains were 1.41, 0.86, -13.03, 9.54 and 16.12% for plant height, ear height, lodged and broken plants, prolificacy and grain yield, respectively.

A primeira etapa de um programa de transformação genética de plantas é o estabelecimento de um protocolo de regeneração de plantas, a partir de cultura de tecidos. A regeneração de plantas pode ser conseguida por meio de organogênese ou embriogênese. A embriogênese somática é dependente do genótipo das plantas utilizadas e a identificação de genótipos mais responsivos a este método de regeneração resulta em maior eficiência da técnica. O trabalho teve como objetivo identificar genótipos de milho com maior capacidade de produção de embriões somáticos e regeneração de plantas. Foram investigados 11 genótipos (linhagens e híbridos). As culturas foram obtidas a partir de embriões imaturos, inoculados em meio N6, suplementado com 690mg L-1 de prolina e 10mM de 2,4-D, com subcultivos quinzenais. Nos genótipos LD82025, CD308 e CML314, foram observados calos do tipo II, friáveis e embriogênicos. Esses genótipos foram submetidos ao processo de regeneração, destacando-se a linhagem LD82025. Os genótipos CD307, CD304, OC-705, 105-B e o GU04328 não apresentaram indução de calos embriogênicos. Os resultados indicam que a linhagem LD82025 é a mais promissora para utilização em um programa de transformação genética de plantas.The establishment of a protocol for regenerating plants by tissue culture is the first step in breeding programs which have the objective of using genetic transformation on plants. The plant regeneration can be achieved either by organogenesis or embryogenesis. In the second case, the somatic embryogenesis depends on the identification of responsive genotypes which enhance the efficiency of the program. The aim of the present study was to identify maize genotypes with high capacity to produce somatic embryos and consequently regenerate maize plants. Eleven genotypes (inbreds and hybrids) were investigated in the present experiment. Under two-week periods, the cultures were obtained from immature embryos which were inoculated into growing medium N6 with 690mg L-1 of proline and 10mM of 2,4-D. Callis of type II, friable and embryogenic, were observed in the LD82025, CD308, and CML314 genotypes. After, they were submitted to the regeneration process and the best performance was achieved by the LD82025. No embryogenic callus was developed from CD307, CD304, OC-705, 105-B, and GU04328. In the present case, the inbred LD82025 is the most promising maize genotype for participating in a breeding program that will use the genetic transformation of maize plants.

Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a influência da planta doadora de pólen sobre as características dos frutos produzidos na cultura do maracujazeiro-amarelo (Passiflora edulis f. falvicarpa). Neste contexto, um experimento foi conduzido, segundo o esquema de cruzamentos controlados. Empregaram-se 23 plantas "genitor masculino" e 103 plantas receptoras de pólen, perfazendo o total de 185 frutos avaliados segundo as características: peso, largura, comprimento, número de sementes e peso relativo de 100 sementes. A avaliação dessas características, segundo análise de variância multivariada (MANOVA), permitiu a verificação de efeitos significativos ("genitor masculino" e "fêmea hierarquizada a genitor masculino"). A partir das informações da MANOVA, construiu-se uma função discriminante, constituída pela primeira variável canônica baseada na matriz de soma de quadrados para a fonte de variação "genitor masculino" (Importância relativa = 58,10%). A análise desta permitiu verificar elevado efeito da fonte de variação "genitor masculino" sobre as características dos frutos, cujos indivíduos foram agrupados univariamente em três grupos distintos. Tais resultados permitem concluir que tanto progenitores femininos como masculinos podem influenciar os resultados obtidos em esquemas de seleção massal.This research was aiemd at evaluating the influence of the relactive pollination of pollen donor plant in obtaition higher fruits of yellow passion (Passiflora edulis f. falvicarpa). To do so, an experiment was conduced according to the controlled crosses, using 23 male plants and 103 pollen receptor plants. The total of fruits obtained was 185 units, that were evaluated according to the following traits: fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit seed number and relative weight of 100 seeds. The data were analyzed by using multivariate analysis (MANOVA). The discriminant function was constituted by the first canonic variable based on matrix of square sum of male (relative importance = 58.1). The discriminant function analysis permitted to verify high effect of male in relation to fruit traits, whose individuals were grouped in three distinct classes. The results indicate that female as well as male can influence the results obtained in mass selection.

Dez populações de milho-pipoca (PR 038, PR 079, RR 046, SC 016, PR 017, BRS Angela, SC 002, PR 009, PR 023 e SE 013) foram avaliadas com os objetivos de obter estimativas de depressão por endogamia e componentes genéticos de média. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, nos quais os tratamentos primários foram os níveis de endogamia (S1 e S0) e os tratamentos secundários as populações, com três repetições. O ensaio foi conduzido nas cidades de Maringá e Iguatemi-PR, no ano agrícola de 2001/2002. Foram avaliadas as características altura de plantas, altura de espigas, rendimento de grãos e capacidade de expansão. Foram observados menores valores de depressão por endogamia e predominância de efeitos gênicos aditivos para capacidade de expansão em relação ao rendimento de grãos. As populações BRS ANGELA e SC 002 apresentaram maior probabilidade de sucesso na obtenção de linhagens com boa capacidade de expansão.

Os agricultores brasileiros semearam 2.495 milhões de hectares de milho na safrinha de 2002, área que corresponde a 31% do total da safra. Esse trabalho teve por objetivos avaliar em CRUZamentos dialélicos, as capacidades de combinação e identificar as combinações híbridas mais promissoras entre dez linhagens selecionadas a partir de híbridos franceses e um sintético obtido de gerações avançadas de híbridos comerciais. As linhagens e os híbridos foram avaliados em quatro locais, na safrinha de 2002, segundo o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. Foram obtidos os dados de rendimento de grãos, altura de plantas e espigas e dias até o florescimento feminino. Adotou-se o método 2 de GRIFFING na análise dialélica. Ocorreram diferenças significativas (P0,05) para capacidade geral de combinação (CGC) e foram detectadas diferenças significativas (P

Os objetivos deste trabalho consistiram em obter estimativas de coeficientes de correlação fenotípicos, genotípicos e residuais, e avaliar os desdobramentos das correlações genotípicas em efeitos diretos e indiretos (análise de trilha) das variáveis altura média das plantas, diâmetro médio do colmo e número de perfilhos por metro linear (variáveis independentes explicativas) na produção de matéria seca (variável dependente principal) de clones de capim-elefante em dois cortes realizados nas condições edafoclimáticas do norte do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Houve grande diferença nas estimativas obtidas nos dois cortes, entretanto o estudo permitiu concluir que a altura das plantas no corte exerce influência na produção de matéria seca principalmente nas situações de clones de alta capacidade de perfilhamento. As características número de perfilhos por metro linear e diâmetro de perfilhos foram capazes de explicar melhor o potencial de produção de matéria seca, atuando, respectivamente, de forma direta e inversamente proporcionais sobre a variável básica, alternando-se em função das condições ambientais ocorridas durante o crescimento.

Com o propósito de monitorar o comportamento de blocos gênicos em diferentes gerações de seleção recorrente em milho pipoca, quantificaram-se as correlações fenotípica, genotípica e de ambiente entre caracteres agronômicos, em dois ciclos de seleção recorrente. O primeiro ciclo foi formado por famílias de irmãos completos e o segundo ciclo por famílias S1. Embora não significativa, em ambos os ciclos, houve correlação genotípica negativa entre capacidade de expansão e rendimento de grãos. Para o segundo ciclo, as maiores magnitudes de correlação genotípica positiva ocorreram entre rendimento de grãos, número de espigas sadias e estande, indicando a possibilidade de sucesso na seleção de uma ou outra, com base no rendimento de grãos. Embora não significativa e em baixa magnitude, houve acréscimo da correlação genotípica entre rendimento de grãos e capacidade de expansão do primeiro para o segundo ciclo, denotando aumento na concentração de alelos favoráveis na população.This work was carried out to estimate environment, genotypic and phenotypic correlations among traits in two intrapopulational recurrent selection cycles in popcorn. The first cycle was composed by full sib families and the second cycle by S1 families. Seventy-five families of full sib and two hundred and twenty two families S1 were evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replicates in two environments. Although not statistically significant, genotypic correlation between grain yield and popping expansion was negative in both selection cycles. For the second cycle of recurrent selection, the highest positive estimates of genotypic correlations were found between: grain yield and number of ears and grain yield and stand, indicating the perspective of the success for selection based on grain yield. Although in less magnitude there was an increase in genotypic correlation between the grain yield and popping expansion from the first to the second cycle of recurrent selection, indicating increase in the favorable allele frequencies in both traits.

ABSTRACT: The use of mixed models for evaluating diallel crosses is a highly timely option to the reliable prediction of progeny genetic values. In the sweet pepper crop, hybrids are commercially explored on a large scale, mainly because of their characteristics of economic importance. This study aimed to assess the potential of hybrids obtained from a partial diallel among five sweet pepper lines developed for the hydroponic cultivation system and two simple hybrids, by applying mixed models. It was performed crosses in the partial diallel scheme among the (L1B, L6, L7, L18, and L19) lines and the simple hybrids ‘Valdor’ and ‘Atlantis’. Plants were cultivated in hydroponic system with substrate and irrigated three times a day using nutrient solution. On the basis of mixed models, the following traits were assessed: mean fruit diameter (FD), mean fruit length (FL), mean fruit number per plant (FNP), mean fruit mass (FM), early yield (EYIELD), and mean fruit mass per plant (FMP). The L6 line was the one that showed the highest estimate of general combination capacity for FMP, FM, and EYIELD, proving to be promising for recommendation. The hybrid that provided the best specific combining ability for FD, FM, FMP, and EYIELD was L6 x ‘Valdor’. Triple hybrids were efficient to maximize yield for the traits of interest by the use of the mixed model.

ABSTRACT: Changes in the shape of fruits from hermaphrodite flowers due to floral anomalies are quite common. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of the general and specific combining ability on the proportions of normal and deformed (carpelloid and pentandric) papaya fruits in hermaphrodite plants using mixed models. The ‘JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo’ and ‘Golden’ parents showed the potential to decrease the number of deformed fruits. In contrast, the ‘Maradol x JS12-N’, ‘Maradol x Waimanalo’, ‘Maradol x Golden’, ‘JS12-N x JS12-4’, ‘JS12-N x Sekati’, ‘JS12-N x Waimanalo’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-N’, ‘Waimanalo x JS12-4’, ‘Waimanalo x Golden’, ‘Waimanalo x Sunrise Solo 72/12’, ‘Golden x Maradol’, ‘Golden x JS12-N’, ‘Golden x Sekati’, ‘Golden x Waimanalo’ and ‘São Mateus x JS12-N’ hybrids have the potential to increase the number of marketable fruits while decreasing the number of carpelloid and pentandric fruits.

In order to establish a clear limit between protective and harmful effects of alcohol consumption, it is necessary to define patterns of consumption. However, there is no universally recognized quantitative classification for patterns of consumption by alcohol doses. This is because the pattern of alcohol consumption does not only describe how much alcohol was consumed, but also takes into account a number of boundary conditions. This review deals with variabilities in the definitions of standard alcohol doses and patterns of alcohol consumption. These terms are being discussed with respect to the benefits and harms associated with alcohol consumption as well as the risks intrinsic to studies of such a complex phenomenon as the effect of alcoholic beverages on human health.