The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a plant growth regulator (PGR; Stimulate®) on the yield and quality of zucchini fruits from plants of the cultivar Caserta-Italiana grown under different salinity levels of the irrigation water (SLIW). A randomized block design was used, in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement consisted of two SLIW (0.5 and 5.0 dS m-1) and six PGR application modes: imbibition of seeds for 8 h in distilled water (PGR-T1; Control); imbibition of seeds for 8 h in PGR at 10 mL L-1 (PGR-T2); imbibition of seeds for 8 h in PGR at 10 mL L-1 plus foliar application at 10 mL L-1 at the flowering stage (PGR-T3); imbibition of seeds for 8 h in PGR at 10 mL L-1 plus two foliar applications at the flowering stage and at 20 and 30 days after sowing (PGR-T4); foliar application at 10 mL L-1 at the flowering stage (PGR-T5); and two foliar applications at 10 mL L-1 at 20 and 30 days after sowing (PGR-T6). The SLIW affected differently the variables of the zucchini crops evaluated. The PGR application to plants under no salt stress (0.5 dS m-1) increased the solid soluble concentration and biomass accumulation of zucchini fruits. The PGR application as seed treatment and foliar application at the flowering stage increased the fruit yield of zucchini plants irrigated with saline water.

Water scarcity in the world is a problem diagnosed especially in countries with large semi-arid regions such as Brazil. Research has been conducted with a view to making use of saline waters as an input for cultivation, particularly in hydroponics, with especial focus on lettuce, the most prominent leafy vegetable in Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the development of lettuce in a semi-hydroponic system fertigated with saline water and under foliar fertilization with biofertilizer. The present study was carried out in a greenhouse located in the experimental area of ​​the Department of Environmental and Technological Sciences (DCAT) of the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid Region, in the municipality of Mossoró, RN, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, with treatments arranged in a 2 x 4 factorial scheme, with 4 replicates, two salinity levels of the water used to prepare the nutrient solution (0.5 and 3.5 dS m-1) and four biofertilizer concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 60%) applied by foliar spraying. The evaluated characteristics were: shoot diameter, stem diameter, number of leaves, fresh mass, dry mass, leaf succulence, leaf area and specific leaf area. The use of saline water to prepare the nutrient solution reduces fresh mass and dry mass production in the lettuce crop. The biofertilizer can be applied through the leaves at concentration of up to 20%, promoting greater plant growth.

Balanced nitrogen (N) supply is essential for high root yield in sweet potatoes (Ipomoea potatoes [L.] Lam.). A portable chlorophyll meter can support N fertilization management. Here, we determined the appropriate N sufficiency index (NSI) for sweet potato leaves to achieve the best leaf N status, plant growth, N uptake and removal, and storage root yield and quality. Experiments were conducted at three sites (Braúna, São Manuel, and Regente Feijó) in São Paulo, Brazil, using a randomized block design with four replicates. Treatments included a control (without N application), conventional N fertilization (50 kg ha⁻¹), reference N fertilization (150 kg ha⁻¹), and NSI-based N fertilization (NSI: 90% or 95%, based on the chlorophyll meter readings). Plant response to N fertilization was low, with no N deficiency observed in the conventional and chlorophyll meter-managed treatments. NSI < 90% was better than NSI < 95% for N top-dressing management, reducing N application rates by 44–66%, depending on the site. In contrast, NSI < 95% increased the N application rate without any yield benefit. Thus, monitoring N fertilization using a portable chlorophyll meter with 90% NSI can reduce N fertilization rates without negatively impacting the sweet potato root yield.

A cadeia produtiva da banana é uma importante cadeia do agronegócio brasileiro. A cultura está distribuída por todo o território nacional, explorada principalmente pela agricultura familiar, mas igualmente atrativa para a agricultura empresarial. Ao longo de sua cadeia, uma boa parte da produção é perdida com frutos sem valor comercial. Contudo, esses frutos podem ser utilizados como matéria-prima para o processamento. A banana verde é um alimento com características funcionais e tem sido objeto de estudo de muitos pesquisadores. Assim, esta pesquisa buscou conhecer o Estado da Arte do processamento da banana verde no Brasil. Para esse objetivo, foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória por meio de buscador online e pesquisa in situ na Zona Cerealista de São Paulo. O processamento da banana verde é empregado principalmente para a produção de chips, farinha e biomassa, que, em parte, podem ser comercializados como alimentos ou como ingredientes para a indústria. A atividade é explorada principalmente por microempresas, rurais ou urbanas, mas está bem distribuída por empresas de outros portes. Nos estabelecimentos físicos, há uma preferência pelos produtos a granel, os quais são facilmente encontrados nas lojas. Nas embalagens, são exploradas informações relacionadas à saúde, meio ambiente, cultura e ligações familiares, porém faltam informações mais detalhadas sobre a matéria-prima. Apesar de popular na comunidade científica, o amido de banana não foi encontrado para comercialização. O estudo quantificou e categorizou o cenário dos produtos e fabricantes ativos no processamento da banana verde, mas não permite avaliar tendências, para a qual seriam necessárias mais pesquisas.