The tomato is the second most produced vegetable in the world, with significant participation in the human diet. In addition, the production of tomatoes generates jobs and family income. The availability of improved cultivars that provide greater profitability to the producer and satisfactorily meets the needs of the fresh fruit market and the processing industry becomes imperative due to its importance. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize and select industrial tomato lines in regard to fruit yield, number of leaf branches, and number of flower racemes (NFR). The experiment was conducted in 2014 in the experimental area of the Federal University of Goiás (Universidade Federal de Goiás). The design was a randomized block design with four replicates and 25 genotypes. The number of leaf branches (NB), NFR, and fruit productivity were evaluated. The results were analyzed using analysis of variance and the means compared by the Tukey test. A difference was observed (P ≤ 0.01) for all traits analyzed. The NB and NFR were related, where more branches promoted an increase in NFR and thus the productivity increases. In addition, a greater number of fruits implied in smaller fruit size, and consequently lower fruit mass. The lowest number of fruit per plant caused increased fruit size and mass. The lines CVR 1, CVR 3, CVR 4, CVR 5, CVR 21, and CVR 22 were suitable for genetic enhancement of tomato and provided the greatest productivity.

Leguminous species can improve nutrient cycling and chemical quality of Oxisols, resulting in higher productivity of intercropped crops. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the decomposition rate and nutrient accumulation in legume stubble, as well as its contribution to soil chemical attributes, the growth of baru trees (Dipteryx alata Vogel), and yield of intercropped maize in an agroforestry system. The experiment was developed during the crop years of 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, in Goiás State, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with five replicates. Leguminous species consisted of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), Stylosanthes (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% and Stylosanthes capitata - 80%), and spontaneous vegetation (control treatment). The decomposition rates of legume and spontaneous vegetation residues remained unchanged in the agroforestry system. Sunn hemp, jack bean, and Stylosanthes plants are advantageous options for total accumulation of nutrients. However, sunn hemp grown as straw cover for next crop seasons increases the available phosphorus levels in the soil and productivity of maize cobs. With this coverage, maize productivity values were up to 24% higher than were those with maize growing on spontaneous vegetation, besides having no effect on the growth of baru trees.

Vitamin application can optimize plant growth and grain yield of rice crop due to its beneficial effect on many plant physiological characteristics. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of niacin and thiamin applied as seed soaking or foliar spray on the morphological and productive characteristics of upland rice crop (Oryza sativa L., cv. Primavera), grown under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of the application of vitamins (control; 200 mg L-1 thiamin; 200 mg L-1 niacin; and 100 mg L-1 thiamin + 100 mg L-1 niacin) and two application methods (seed soaking and foliar spraying). Morphological and productive characteristics of the rice plants were evaluated. The exogenous application of thiamin and niacin, regardless of the application method, has a beneficial effect on the growth of upland rice plants, but does not increase the grain yield of the crop.

Economic viability of muskmelon cultivation in different planting spacing in Brazil central region

A cultura do feijoeiro é de grande importância socioeconômica em todas as regiões brasileiras. Seu cultivo, entretanto, ainda está relacionado a técnicas rudimentares que prejudicam a produtividade. O emprego de vitaminas contribui para a melhora do desenvolvimento vegetativo e reprodutivo, incrementando as condições fisiológicas das plantas. Assim, o estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de niacina ou tiamina sobre as características de desenvolvimento vegetativo e produtivo do feijoeiro a partir do tratamento de sementes, conduzido em vasos. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos e, em ambos, os tratamentos foram definidos pela aplicação de Niacina ou Tiamina em cinco diferentes dosagens (0,00; 5,00; 10,00; 15,00 e 20,00 mg kg-1), juntamente com fungicida. Foram avaliadas variáveis ligadas à emergência das plântulas, ao desenvolvimento vegetativo e à produtividade de grãos. Verificou-se que, para o feijoeiro (cv. BRS Estilo), o pré-tratamento de sementes com niacina diminuiu o tempo de emergência das plântulas (20,31%) e estimulou o desenvolvimento dos trifólios (16,21%). A aplicação da tiamina, por sua vez, aumentou a emergência das plântulas na primeira contagem (287,52%), estimulou a taxa de emergência (36,72%) e o índice de velocidade de emergência (65,76%), diminuiu o tempo médio de emergência (19,03) e proporcionou incremento do número de vagens por planta (116,28%), de grãos por planta (122,28%) e da produtividade de grãos (127,50%), quando comparados ao tratamento controle.