Abiotic and biotic factors influence the productivity and quality of melon fruit; therefore, the protection of plants using agrotextile mesh is a solution that can be agronomically viable, as it reduces the use phytosanitary pesticides and allows for greater productivity and, consequently, quality. The objective this study was to evaluate the influence of coverage time with an agrotextile (0, 21, 26 and 31 days after transplanting (DAT)) in melon hybrids ‘Gold Mine’, ‘Soleares’, ‘Lual’ and ‘Natal’ on productivity and fruit quality attributes. The plants that were protected with agrotextile mesh for 21 and 26 DAT had higher productivity (53.5 and 52.1 t ha−1). Among the hybrids, all excellent plots produced above 42.4 1 t ha−1. Of the observed hybrid quality parameters, 'Natal' protected for 21 DAT showed a better total phenol content and a higher maturation index, and 'Soleares' protected for 21 DAT showed a higher DPPH antioxidant activity and flavonoid content.

Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, correct residue dosage is critical for grass development and minimizing environmental impacts. This randomized block design study determined adequate dosage of mixed gelatin sludge (MGS) for Marandu grass production in wet/dry seasons in Brazil. Five MGS levels (0–200% of required nitrogen) were compared to mineral fertilizer. Agronomic/productivity characteristics, bromatological composition, macro/micronutrient composition of leaves, and soil chemical attributes were evaluated. Agronomic/productivity characteristics were influenced by MGS dose in both dry/rainy seasons, except for leaf blade pseudostem ratio and percentage of leaves/pseudostem. Bromatological composition was influenced by MGS doses in dry/rainy seasons except for dry/mineral material quantities. Marandu leaf tissue chemical composition was significantly influenced by MGS dose, except for potassium, boron, and iron. Chemical composition of four soil layers between 0 and 50 cm influenced MGS dose, except for pH, organic matter, magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc. GMS dose for Marandu production should be 200% of nitrogen requirement. MGS application increased productivity/quality of Marandu grass. Macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) and micronutrients (calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, and zinc) increased in Marandu grass and in the soil (calcium, sulfur, and sodium). The increased sodium level was not limiting.

Background/Objectives: The high temperatures associated with climate change represent an important constraint for tomato production in tropical regions, affecting plant growth, reproductive development, and fruit metabolic composition. In this context, protected cultivation systems capable of modifying greenhouse microclimates may help reduce thermal stress and maintain crop productivity. Methods: This study evaluated the effects of two protective environments, diffuse agricultural film (AF) and twin-walled polycarbonate panels with laminar water flow (P), on the agronomic performance and fruit metabolic traits of five grape–tomato hybrids grown under tropical conditions. Microclimatic variables, vegetative growth, yield components, postharvest behavior, and fruit quality attributes were evaluated, with emphasis on carotenoid accumulation. Results: Compared with the agricultural film environment, the polycarbonate system reduced global radiation and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and was associated with an increase in yield of approximately 25%, an increase in fruit number of approximately 13%, and an 8% increase in fruit diameter. In addition, some hybrids cultivated under the polycarbonate system showed greater lycopene and β-carotene accumulation, indicating that microclimate moderation may favor carotenoid-related fruit quality depending on genotype. Principal component analysis revealed a clear separation between cultivation environments, with the polycarbonate system more closely associated with yield-related and canopy development traits, whereas the agricultural film environment was linked to biomass accumulation and selected physicochemical attributes. Among the evaluated hybrids, BS IGR0104, Jacy, and GI7545 showed the most favorable combination of agronomic performance and fruit quality traits. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the importance of climate-adaptive protected cultivation systems and hybrid selection for improving tomato productivity under tropical heat conditions.

O mel é um adoçante natural, rico em compostos nutricionais e funcionais, apresentando vários benefícios à saúde. Suas propriedades funcionais estão associadas aos componentes minoritários presentes, variando em razão das características do ambiente de produção. O Pantanal é um bioma que conecta o Cerrado brasileiro ao Chaco boliviano e à Amazônia, abrigando notável diversidade de plantas. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar características físico-químicas e a atividade antioxidante em amostras de mel de A. mellifera produzidos em apiários situados na porção norte do Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Os apiários avaliados no estudo estão instalados em áreas de paisagens naturais com diferentes fitofisionomias e em áreas antropizadas. As amostras de mel apresentaram teor de umidade (9,9 - 17,9%) e acidez (12,5 - 36 meq kg-1) dentro dos limites permitidos pela legislação brasileira, indicando as boas condições de produção do mel avaliado. Os teores fenólicos (21,3 - 62,1 mg GAE 100g-1) e carotenoides (0,27 - 2,48 mg 100g-1) do presente estudo são comparáveis aos encontrados em amostras de mel de outras regiões do Brasil e do mundo. Os resultados demonstraram a influência das fitofisionomias e da antropização sobre as propriedades físico-químicas e potencial antioxidante do mel de A. mellifera oriundo do Pantanal Norte. As amostras de mel produzidas em áreas de pastagem, de tons mais claros como branco e âmbar claro, apresentaram teores superiores de compostos fenólicos e atividade antioxidante frente ao radical DPPH•. Os méis de cor mais escura, como âmbar e âmbar escuro, são ricos em carotenoides e possuem forte atividade antioxidante frente ao radical ABTS•+, não sendo possível relacionar a produção destes tipos de mel com as vegetações de entorno. Os resultados destacam a importância do consumo de produtos naturais, como o mel, como estratégia para a promoção da saúde e bem estar, e também a relevância da apicultura enquanto atividade econômica para o Pantanal Norte, podendo ser uma alternativa promissora para o desenvolvimento regional, erradicação da pobreza e melhoria da qualidade de vida da população, com baixos impactos nos ecossistemas.

Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, correct residue dosage is critical for grass development and minimizing environmental impacts. This randomized block design study determined adequate dosage of Mixed Gelatin Sludge (MGS) for Marandu grass production in wet/dry seasons in Brazil. Five MGS levels (0%–200% of required nitrogen) were compared to mineral fertilizer. Agronomic/productivity characteristics, bromatological composition, macro/micro-nutrient composition of leaves, and soil chemical attributes were evaluated. Agronomic/productivity characteristics were influenced by MGS dose in both dry/rainy seasons, except for leaf blade pseudostem ratio and percentage of leaves/pseudostem. Bromatological composition was influenced by MGS doses in dry/rainy seasons except for dry/mineral material quantities. Marandu leaf tissue chemical composition was significantly influenced by MGS dose, except for potassium, boron, and iron. Chemical composition of four soil layers between 0–50 cm influenced GMS dose, except for pH, organic matter, magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc. GMS dose for Marandu production should be 200% of nitrogen (N) requirement. GMS application increased productivity/quality of Marandu grass. Macronutrients (N, phosphorus) and micronutrients (Ca, Mg, S, Cu, and Zn) increased in Marandu grass and in the soil (Ca, S, and Na). Increased sodium (Na) level was not limiting.