The induction of resistance in plants involves prior activation of physiological and biochemical systems in the face of external stimuli, promoting greater tolerance to biotic stresses. Faced with the growing challenge of emerging diseases in agricultural plants and the search for more sustainable phytosanitary practices, natural substances are promising alternatives. Xylopia frutescens, known as “pindaiba-da-folha-pequena”, native to the Brazilian Cerrado and traditionally used as an antimicrobial treatment, is still little-explored in the literature and presents potentially effective compounds for the control of plant diseases. This study characterized the chemical composition and thermal stability of the X. frutescens essential oil (XEO), while evaluating its physiological and phytotoxic effects and the potential for disease control in maize and cowpea plants. The main constituents found in X. frutescens essential oil were nopinone (13.75%), spatulenol (12.94%), myrtenal (12.47%), and β-pinene (11.02%). Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that X. frutescens is highly volatile, with a large mass loss at 94.74 °C. In bioassays, the oil preserved chlorophyll levels at adequate amounts and activated several antioxidant mechanisms, but also showed a dose-dependent phytotoxic effect. In vitro assays further confirmed its antifungal activity against key phytopathogens, supporting its potential use in disease control. A general increase in the activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and—partially—chitinase (CHIT) was observed. Catalase (CAT) decreased in both maize and cowpea plants treated with this essential oil but was higher in untreated infected plants. Such enzymatic changes suggest that the oil acts as a natural elicitor of resistance, strengthening biochemical and physiological defenses. Finally, disease severities, as measured by AUDPCs, demonstrated significant reductions in the progress of maize “Curvularia leaf spot” (Curvularia lunata) and cowpea “Web blight” (Rhizoctonia solani). The results highlight the potential of X. frutescens essential oil as an active compound stimulating defense mechanisms for applications in sustainable agricultural systems.

Rice production experiences significant losses due to fungal diseases, particularly rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Despite the intensive and continuous use of synthetic fungicides, diseases severity has not reduced and control has become increasingly challenging; therefore, the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable products has intensified. Here, we conducted a chemical characterization of Xylopia frutescens and using in silico analysis evaluated the interaction of their two major compounds with lectin protein site of R. solani. In vitro tests using increasing concentrations of essential oil against R. solani were performed. Subsequently, in four varieties of rice, five concentrations of X. frutescens essential oils were applied and evaluated the phytotoxicity effect as well the potential of Xylopia frutescens essential oil for controlling, both preventively and curatively, rice sheath blight. We further investigate the selectivity of this essential oil towards the non-target organism, Trichoderma asperellum. Our analysis revealed that trans-pinocarveol and myrtenal are the main compounds of X. frutescens essential oil and interact with the lectin of R. solani, supporting the antifungal properties of X. frutescens essential oil. In in vitro conditions, the highest tested concentrations of X. frutescens essential oil inhibited the pathogen’s sclerotia and mycelial growth. Under greenhouse conditions, the treatments caused low phytotoxicity and effectively reduced disease severity when applied, both preventively and curatively. Furthermore, the biocontrol agent T. asperellum exhibited tolerance to X. frutescens essential oil. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the potential of X. frutescens essential oil for the development of botanical fungicides capable of controlling R. solani without harming beneficial non-target organisms such as T. asperellum.

Com o crescimento da população e a necessidade cada vez maior de alimentos, é evidente que é preciso utilizar inovações e tecnologias para aumentar a produtividade no mesmo espaço geográfico. A implementação da transformação digital nas propriedades rurais já não é uma escolha, mas sim uma necessidade fundamental para tornar a agricultura do Brasil mais eficiente e lucrativa. Neste cenário, a soja desempenha um papel crucial no crescimento econômico do país, seja trazendo divisas por meio das exportações da oleaginosa e seus produtos derivados, devido à grande demanda global, ou sendo utilizado internamente em diversos subprodutos essenciais para o desenvolvimento de outras indústrias, como a avicultura e a suinocultura, que utilizam o farelo de soja como componente fundamental na produção de ração animal. Desse modo, o objetivo desse estudo é realizar um levantamento bibliográfico sobre os conceitos de inovação tecnológica na cultura da soja. Para uma melhor abrangência da temática houve um questionamento: qual a importância das Inovações tecnológicas e desenvolvimento de novos mercados na cultura da soja? Para responder aos questionamentos a pesquisa consiste em uma revisão integrativa, que irá analisar artigos sobre a importância das Inovações tecnológicas e desenvolvimento de novos mercados na cultura da soja. Foi realizada uma busca de publicações científicas e livros em português e inglês nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Google Acadêmico e PUBMED. Portanto, o resultados evidenciaram-se que a adoção de tecnologia no mercado da soja exerce um papel crucial no progresso da agricultura brasileira, sendo considerada como o principal produto do agronegócio no país, o avanço na produção de soja é resultado não apenas do aumento das áreas cultiváveis, mas também dos avanços tecnológicos recentes, como as máquinas e equipamentos modernos, os insumos de cultivo e as sementes geneticamente modificadas, além da sustentabilidade quando se tem uma demanda de produtos de soja que são produzidos de forma sustentável.

Bananas, one of the most widely consumed tropical fruits in the world, are susceptible to attack by the anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum musae during the post-harvest period. Currently, fungus control is generally based on the use of chemical products, often applied a few days before harvest, which could lead to a risk of residues in the fruit, thus creating a high demand for fresh and organic fruits. Therefore, essential oils present an emerging alternative for the treatment of anthracnose. Here, we evaluated the chemical composition and potential of Morinda citrifolia essential oil as a preventive and curative measure to control C. musae in bananas, also considering the quality of the fruit. In addition, computational docking analysis was conducted to predict potential molecular interactions between octanoic and butanoic acids and the enzyme Tyrosine tRNA, as a potential target for the M. citrifolia essential oil fungicide actions. We also evaluated the essential oil’s safety for beneficial organisms such as the fungus Trichoderma asperellum and the ladybugs Eriopis connexa Germar and Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer. Initially, in vitro growth inhibition tests were performed with doses of 10.0, 30.0, and 50.0 µL/mL of M. citrifolia essential oil, as well as an assessment of the phytotoxic effects on the fruit. Subsequently, using non-phytotoxic doses, we evaluated the effect of the essential oil as a preventive and curative measure against anthracnose and its impact on fruit quality. Our results showed that octanoic, butanoic, and hexanoic acids were the major compounds in M. citrifolia essential oil, inhibiting the growth of C. musae by interacting with the Tyrosine tRNA enzyme of C. musae. The non-phytotoxic dose on the fruit was 10 µL/mL of noni essential oil, which reduced C. musae growth by 30% when applied preventively and by approximately 25% when applied as a curative measure. This significantly reduced the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve without affecting the fruit weight, although there was a slight reduction in °Brix. The growth of non-target organisms, such as T. asperellum and the insect predators Co. maculata and E. connexa, was not affected. Collectively, our findings suggest that M. citrifolia essential oil is a promising alternative for the prevention and control of anthracnose in banana fruit caused by C. musae, without adversely affecting its organoleptic characteristics or non-target organisms.

O trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento do projeto "Práticas de Propagação de Fruteiras" realizado no Campus Lagoa da Confusão do Instituto Federal do Tocantins (IFTO). O objetivo principal foi promover a capacitação técnica de estudantes por meio de atividades práticas de propagação vegetal, abordando métodos como superação de dormência, enraizamento, seccionamento e enxertia de plantas frutíferas. A metodologia adotada caracterizou-se por uma abordagem qualitativa, combinando teoria e prática, com atividades desenvolvidas no laboratório multiuso e viveiro da instituição, envolvendo os estudantes em todas as etapas do processo. O projeto contribuiu para a formação profissional dos discentes, fortalecendo habilidades técnicas, além de promover ações de extensão na comunidade externa. Os resultados demonstraram a eficácia das técnicas aplicadas, evidenciando a importância de atividades presenciais para o ensino agropecuário. A iniciativa reforça o papel da educação prática na promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável e o fortalecimento da agricultura.

This paper presents the development of the "Fruit Tree Propagation Practices" project, carried out at the Lagoa da Confusão Campus of the Federal Institute of Tocantins (IFTO). The main objective was to promote the technical training of students through practical plant propagation activities, addressing methods such as breaking dormancy, rooting, sectioning, and grafting fruit plants. The methodology adopted was characterized by a qualitative approach, combining theory and practice, with activities developed in the institution's multipurpose laboratory and nursery, involving students in all stages of the process. The project contributed to the professional development of students, strengthening technical skills, and promoting outreach activities in the external community. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the techniques applied, highlighting the importance of in-person activities for agricultural education. The initiative reinforces the role of practical education in promoting sustainable development and strengthening agriculture.