Since climate changes have caused water restrictions, safflower stands out as an alternative crop due to its adaptability to restrictive soil and climate conditions. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the physiological and yield performance of four safflower lines (IMA 02, IMA 04, IMA 14, and IMA 21) under two water regimes [without water deficiency—around 22% soil moisture content—100% of field capacity (FC); and with water deficiency—50% of FC]. The water regimes were imposed for 30 days during the flowering phase, followed by rehydration for 20 days. Water deficiency decreased relative water content, water potential, photosynthetic pigment contents, photosynthetic performance, maximum variable and potential quantum yield of PSII, electron transport rate, and photochemical quenching. In contrast, it increased electrolyte leakage, water use efficiency, and non-photochemical quenching. The decreases in photochemical efficiency and photosynthetic performance as a function of water deficiency caused reductions in the number of capitula, 100-grain mass, and harvest index, with more significant reductions in IMA 02, which was considered susceptible to soil water changes. IMA 04, IMA 14, and IMA 21 were considered tolerant because their physiological variables and yield components were less affected by water restriction, and they also showed recovery after rehydration compared to IMA 02. Thus, these lines can be recommended for commercial use, and safflower breeding programs aiming to select superior genotypes under drought conditions.

Phosphorus (P) is essential for sugarcane growth but often presents low agricultural use efficiency. This research evaluated the effects of Bacillus velezensis UFV 3918 (Bv), applied alone or with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), on sugarcane’s physiological, biochemical, and biomass variables. Six treatments were tested in a completely randomized design: absolute control (AC), commercial control (CC, full MAP dose), Bv alone, and Bv combined with 1/3, 2/3, or full MAP dose. B. velezensis (Bv) and Bv + 1/3 MAP increased soil P availability by 22%, correlating strongly with physiological, biochemical, and shoot biomass variables. These treatments boosted total chlorophyll content (11.4%), electron transport rate (28.5%), and photochemical quenching (16.9%), resulting in higher photosynthetic efficiency. Compared with CC, net CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance, and carboxylation efficiency increased by 49.0%, 35.4%, and 72.9%, respectively. Additionally, amino acid content and leaf acid phosphatase activity rose by 12.1% and 13.8%. Key traits associated with biomass production included stomatal density (abaxial face), chlorophyll content, electron transport rate, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and leaf acid phosphatase activity. The results highlight the potential of Bv UFV 3918, particularly with reduced MAP doses, to improve sugarcane photosynthesis and biomass accumulation, offering a sustainable and cost-effective fertilization strategy.

As perdas pós-colheita representam alto custo ao setor comercial e ocasionam impactos ambientais negativos. A destinação ambientalmente inadequada de resíduos orgânicos é uma questão problemática no Brasil, onde mais de 50% dos seus resíduos totais são com estas características e menos de 2% destes são reciclados por meio de compostagem. Há escassez de informações sobre perdas pós-colheita e destinação de resíduos orgânicos para vários estados brasileiros, notadamente o Piauí. Desse modo, objetivou-se realizar um levantamento do perfil socioeconômico, cenário de comercialização, perdas pós-colheita, descarte e destinação final de frutas em segmentos comerciais de Teresina (PI). Para isto, realizaram-se entrevistas em 10 supermercados, 20 estabelecimentos da Ceasa e 40 feirantes de duas feiras livres, através de um questionário composto por 40 perguntas objetivas. Constatou-se que o cenário de comercialização apresenta frutas oriundas de outros estados (95%), principalmente do Ceará, escoadas em vias asfaltadas através de caminhões de carga coberta com lona. Essas ficam geralmente de 1 a 5 dias expostas para comercialização, com escassos/ausentes investimentos para conservação. Os supermercados ofertam entre 157 e 2450 kg semana-1; Ceasa, 1 e 364 kg semana-1; feiras livres, 2 e 450 kg semana-1. As perdas altas foram expressivas nos três segmentos: feiras livres (91%), supermercados (64%) e Ceasa (45%). Para frutas climatéricas, mamão ‘Formosa’ é o mais perdido nos supermercados (16%), ao passo que abacate na Ceasa (15%) e goiaba nas feiras livres (37%). Entre as frutas não-climatéricas, a uva verde é a mais perdida, com destaque à ocorrência em feiras livres (26%). Essas perdas são descartadas separadamente de outros resíduos, destacadamente em supermercados (100%). A grande parte desses resíduos orgânicos (55 a 60%) apresenta destinação final ambientalmente inadequada, pois são encaminhados para o aterro controlado independente do segmento estudado. Há necessidade de melhor capacitação e conscientização dos comerciantes quanto à adoção de boas práticas pós-colheita, gerenciamento da atividade comercial e educação ambiental, como forma de reduzir prejuízos financeiros e impactos ambientais.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physico-chemical characteristics of fruits of 58 sweet orange tops cultivars on four rootstocks, namely: ‘Sunki Tropical’ mandarin and ‘Trifoliata’ Citrandarin ‘San Diego’, ‘Riverside’ and ‘Indio’. For this purpose, a completely randomized experimental design was used, in a factorial scheme (58 x 4). The characteristics analyzed were: equatorial diameter, fruit mass, peel thickness, number of seeds, soluble solids, titratable acidity, Ratio and juice yield. All the characteristics analyzed were influenced by both the tops cultivar and the rootstock, demonstrating that both factors interfere in the physicochemical quality of the fruits. The tops ‘Pera D-3’, ‘Pera Olimpia’, ‘Pera Bianchi’, ‘Jaffa’ and ‘Westin’ on all rootstocks evaluated showed characteristics in their fruits with soluble solids greater than 10 ºBrix, Ratio above 9.5 and juice yield greater than 45%, characteristics that define fruits with quality standards. Also, the tops ‘Pera Olimpia’, ‘Sincorá’ and ‘Westin’ on the rootstock ‘Sunki Tropical’, ‘Pera D-3’, ‘Pera D-25’, ‘Sincorá’, ‘Aquiri’ and ‘Russas P.S.’ on the rootstock ‘San Diego’, ‘Pera C-32’, ‘Pera D-3’, ‘Pera D-6’, ‘Pera E-6’, ‘Pera Bianchi’, ‘Pera CE-03 ‘, ‘Salustiana’ and ‘Westin’ on ‘Riverside’ rootstock are suitable for the juice production industry with Ratio between 14 and 16 and juice yield greater than 50%. It is also worth noting that the tops ‘Crescent’, ‘Natal Folha Murcha’, ‘Valencia Midknight’ and ‘Valencia Delta’ produced fruits without seeds on all rootstocks.