The pollination of tomatoes in greenhouses using bees (especially Bombus species) has increased worldwide, providing increased productivity. However, no concrete initiative has been carried out with bees for tomato pollination on a commercial scale, in greenhouses in Brazil. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate Melipona quadrifasciata efficiency in pollination and consequent production of tomatoes of different growth habits in greenhouse environment. Two experiments were conducted. The pollen load of the creeping tomato (determined growth) flowers and the fruit quality was quantified in the first experiment, in the greenhouse cultivation treatments with bees, without bees, and in the open environment. In the second experiment, the treatments were carried out with tomato of indeterminate growth in greenhouse with bees and without bees. The bees presented foraging behavior and visitation to tomato flowers. The pollen load for the determined tomato was 433% larger in a closed environment with bees when compared with results obtained in the greenhouse without bees. Fruits produced in greenhouses with bees presented 15% more fresh mass and 41.1% more seeds, than the fruit produced in an open environment. Seed production for indetermined growth tomato was 33% higher when the flower was pollinated and the tomato mass increased up to 16%. The results show the importance of using M. quadrifasciata for pollination in a greenhouse environment. Native bees for pollination of agricultural crops in greenhouse showed promising results, especially for the tomato crop, which is benefited by pollination.

Pequi is propagated mainly by the seminal pathway (seminal route) and presents an uneven and reduced germination. The increasing demand for fruits and seedlings for reforestation indicate the need for new strategies for the propagation of this species which would minimize the negative impact of predatory extractivism on Caryocar brasiliense. The present study aimed to assist the development of a protocol for the cutting of the pequi tree (pequizeiro). Different ages of the matrix plant and levels of foliation and pruning were assessed through the collection (sampling) of cuttings (stakes) from plants in the field. It was noted that cuttings (stakes) from seedlings (young plants) have greater rooting capacity when compared to cuttings derived from adult plants. Pequi leafless stakes failed to root. In contrast, stakes with 50% of leaflets cut from their original size showed 2.5% of rooting whereas those with 6 leaflets showed 22.5% of rooting. Stakes from pruned apical branches exhibited 21.2% of rooting. Both callogenesis and rooting of pequi stakes demonstrated the potential of this particular species from the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) for cutting.

Consumers in the fresh fruit market choose fruits mainly following criteria related to the external appearance. However, the introduction of new material for planting depends on the productive capacity of the plant as well as on the formation of fruit that meets consumer desires. Given the above, the objective of this study was to morphoagronomically characterize tomato genotypes using multivariate statistics. The genotype seedlings (Ellus, Black Mauri, Green Zebra, Green Tomato, Pomodoro Marmande, Pomodoro Fiorentino, Pitanga, and Black Krim) were transplanted 30 days after sowing. The morphoagronomic characterization of the genotypes was carried out by evaluating plants and fruits. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, namely, position and variability measurements. In addition, a multivariate cluster analysis and a principal component analysis were carried out for plant and fruit attributes. The cluster and principal component analyses were efficient in characterizing plants and/or fruits of different tomato genotypes. Such efficiency enhances result interpretation and proposed inferences, with applied relevance for the producers. The genotype Ellus has a combination of morphoagronomic plant and fruit traits superior to other genotypes. Such superior traits enable a high productivity.

Araticum reproductive phenology and its implications for productive potential

O tratamento de sementes com paclobutrazol (PBZ) deve ser aprimorado e tecnologias de recobrimento, como a peliculização, podem ser promissoras para aplicar uniformemente e fixar esse regulador no tegumento das sementes sem permitir um contato prejudicial ao embrião. Assim, determinaram-se os efeitos da peliculização de sementes com paclobutrazol no potencial fisiológico de sementes de tomate e as suas implicações no crescimento de mudas. Empregou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2 x 4, sendo presença e ausência do polímero de revestimento Disco AG Red L-203® (0 e 150 mL kg-1 de semente) e quatro concentrações de paclobutrazol - PBZ (0, 38,5, 76,9 e 115,4 mg L-1). A interação entre os fatores (peliculização x concentrações de paclobutrazol) ocorreu somente para a variável condutividade elétrica. Independentemente da concentração, o paclobutrazol reduziu a germinação, emergência de plântulas, altura de parte aérea, área foliar e propiciou um aumento na detecção de clorofila. A peliculização não interfere na ação do paclobutrazol sobre as sementes. O paclobutrazol é eficiente no condicionamento da altura de mudas mas prejudica a germinação e o vigor de sementes.

A veiculação de fungicidas, inseticidas e reguladores de crescimento por meio da peliculização às sementes de tomate pode ser promissora no contexto da produção de mudas. No entanto, primeiramente, é necessário entender a dinâmica do revestimento com polímeros na germinação e vigor de sementes. Dessa forma, determinaram-se os efeitos da peliculização no potencial fisiológico de sementes de tomate e no crescimento de mudas. Para tanto, empregou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 2x4, sendo duas cultivares ('Santa Clara' e 'Kada Gigante') e quatro concentrações do polímero Disco AG Red L-203^(r) (0, 50, 100 e 150mL kg^-1 de semente), com quatro repetições. A interação entre os fatores (cultivar x concentrações de polímero) ocorreu somente para as variáveis germinação e primeira contagem. As concentrações 100 e 150mL kg^-1 prejudicaram a germinação de sementes de tomate da cultivar 'Santa Clara'. A cultivar 'Kada Gigante' obteve um desempenho superior à 'Santa Clara' quanto à emergência de plântulas. O efeito da peliculização na germinação de sementes de tomate depende da cultivar utilizada. O potencial fisiológico de sementes de tomate não é alterado pelo uso de polímeros de revestimento