ABSTRACT Tomato genotypes ( Solanum spp.) have genetic variability of most desirable features, such as resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, incompatibility of crosses of wild genotypes with domesticated tomatoes, or even between wild genotypes, hinders the breeding process. Thus, knowledge of the reproductive biology of genotypes and conditions is necessary to maximize the success of artificial crossings. This study evaluated the compatibility of self-pollination, intra- and interspecific controlled crosses, stigma receptivity, and pollen viability in tomato genotypes. We used two commercial genotypes S. lycopersicum (‘RVTM08’ and ‘Redenção’) and seven accessions of wild tomato genotypes (‘AF 26970’, ‘LA-1401’, ‘AF 19684’, ‘LA-1967’, ‘PI-127826’, ‘PI-134417’, and ‘LA-716’). We evaluated all crosses and their reciprocals, besides the self-pollinations. The variables evaluated were fruit index (FI), number of seeds per fruit (SN), and seed germination percentage (GP). Stigma receptivity and grains’ pollen viability index (PVI) were also assessed. The results showed that ‘LA-1967’ was self-incompatible, had a low PVI, and generated fruit without seeds in most crosses. As female parents, ‘RVTM08’, ‘Redenção’, ‘AF 26970’, ‘LA-1401’, and ‘AF 19684’ showed higher FI and SN. There was a wide diversity of reproductive characteristics between the genotypes and crosses that did not influence GP. Compatibility of crosses in tomatoes is determined by the female parent choice and can be affected by stigma receptivity and the PVI.

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo fue comparar las variables hortícolas de la lechuga iceberg utilizando dos dosis de compost Bokashi, solo y en combinación, con el bioactivador Penergetic (Penergetic International AG®) frente a la fertilización mineral estándar (NPK) en tres ciclos de cultivo. Los experimentos se realizaron en un invernadero de plástico en la Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brasil (548 msnm). Los tratamientos fueron: control negativo (agua solamente); control positivo (NPK, 4-14-8); Penergetic solo; Bokashi en dosis de 5 y 10 g/planta con o sin combinación con Penergetic. Las plantas de lechuga se cultivaron en macetas llenas de tierra. Se evaluaron biomasa comercial (BC), diámetro de cabeza (DC), altura de planta (AP) e índice de clorofila (IC). En los tres ciclos evaluados, los tratamientos Bokashi 10 g/planta, Bokashi 10 g/planta + Penergetic y NPK superaron al testigo. En general, las variables estudiadas (BC, DC, AP y CI) en el tratamiento de menor dosis de Bokashi también fueron más altas que el control pero menores que con la dosis más alta de Bokashi y NPK. Penergetic aumentó la BC en el tratamiento con dosis más bajas de Bokashi solo en el primer ciclo de producción, probablemente debido al bajo contenido de materia orgánica en el suelo. El tratamiento Bokashi 10 g/planta mejoró significativamente las variables hortícolas de la lechuga frente al tratamiento de control y fue similar a la fertilización química en dos de los tres ciclos de cultivo.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to compare horticultural variables of iceberg lettuce using two Bokashi compost doses, alone and in combination, with the bioactivator Penergetic (Penergetic International AG®) against standard mineral fertilization (NPK) in three crop cycles. Experiments were conducted in a plastic greenhouse at the Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Brazil (548 m a.s.l.). The treatments were: negative control (water only); positive control (NPK, 4-14-8); Penergetic alone; Bokashi doses 5 g and 10 g/plant with or without a combination with Penergetic. Lettuce plants were grown in pots filled with soil. Commercial biomass (CM), head diameter (HD), plant height (PH) and chlorophyll index (CI) were evaluated. In the three cycles tested, the Bokashi 10 g/plant, Bokashi 10 g/plant + Penergetic, and NPK treatments surpassed the control. The studied variables (CM, HD, PH and CI) in the lower Bokashi dose treatment were also higher than controls but lower than higher Bokashi doses and NPK. Penergetic increased the CM in the lower Bokashi dose treatment just in the first production cycle, probably due to the poor organic matter content in the soil. The treatment Bokashi 10 g/plant improved significantly the lettuce horticultural variables vs. control treatments and was similar to chemical fertilization in two of three crop cycles.

Resumo O alto valor nutricional e o baixo custo de comercialização têm impulsionado o consumo de raízes de batata-doce. Adicionalmente, a grande variabilidade genética levanta questionamentos sobre a qualidade pós-colheita dos acessos cultivados. Assim, o presente estudo objetiva caracterizar e avaliar as características físico-químicas e os compostos bioativos de raízes de batata-doce. Os tratamentos consistiram na avaliação de 11 acessos (UGA 34, UGA 37, UGA 49, UGA 73, UGA 76, UGA 81, UGA 110, UGA 125, UGA 126, UGA 127 e Parcela 49). Os atributos físico-químicos de firmeza (FI) e massa seca (MS) foram avaliados em delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados. Avaliaram-se ainda pH, teor de sólidos solúveis (SS), acidez titulável (AT), relação entre sólidos solúveis e acidez titulável (SS/AT), e parâmetros colorimétricos L*, saturação de cor croma e tonalidade da cor pelo ângulo Hue obtidos da casca (externa) e da polpa (interna) das raízes. Avaliou-se também a concentração de compostos bioativos: carotenoides totais (CAR), compostos fenólicos (FEN) e teor de ácido ascórbico (AA), além da capacidade antioxidante hidrofílica e lipofílica (CAH e CAL) de amostras de batata-doce congelada. As análises foram realizadas em triplicata sob delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os resultados indicaram grande variabilidade entre os acessos estudados, com maior rendimento de raízes de UGA 125 e UGA 127. Os acessos UGA 126 e UGA 34 sobressaíram-se quanto aos teores de sólidos solúveis, à capacidade antioxidante hidrofílica e lipofílica, à firmeza e à matéria seca; seus parâmetros colorimétricos também se destacaram dos demais acessos. Os acessos UGA 73 e UGA 81 apresentaram maiores teores de compostos fenólicos. Dessa forma, identificou-se o potencial produtivo dos acessos estudados que nos permite indicar os acessos mais promissores ao cultivo e ao consumo.

Abstract The high nutritional value and low marketing costs have increased the consumption of sweet potato roots. In addition, the great genetic variability highlights questions about the nutritional quality of the cultivated accessions. Thereby, this study aimed to characterize and evaluate the physical-chemical characteristics as well as the bioactive compounds of sweet potato roots. The treatments consisted of the use of eleven cultivated accessions (UGA 34, UGA 37, UGA 49, UGA 73, UGA 76, UGA 81, UGA 110, UGA 125, UGA 126, UGA 127 and Parcela 49). The physical-chemical characteristics of Firmness (FI) and Dry Mass (DM) were evaluated in a randomized block design. Indeed, the pH, Soluble Solids (SS), Titratable Acidity (TA), (SS / TA), colorimetric parameters L*, Color Index (C), Chroma (A), Hue angle (B) from peel (external) and pulp (internal) of roots were evaluated. The concentrations of bioactive compound were also evaluated: Total Carotenoid Contents (TCC); Phenolic Compounds (PCs); Ascorbic Acid Contents (AAC); and also, Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidant Activity (HAA and LAA) of frozen sweet potato. The analysis was performed in triplicate under a completely randomized design. The results indicated a high variability among the cultivated accessions, consisting of a superior root yield for UGA 125 and UGA 127. The genotypes UGA 126 and UGA 34 stood out for SS, LAA and HAA, FI, and DM; however, their colorimetric parameters stood out from the other genotypes. The genotypes UGA 73 and UGA 81 showed higher PCs. In this way, it could be identified the productive potential of the genotypes studied that allows us to indicate the most promising genotypes for cultivation and consumption.

ABSTRACT The garden fleahopper, Microtechnites bractatus (Say) (Hemiptera: Miridae), is associated with several cultivated plant species and, despite its economic importance, little is known about its development and performance in such hosts. We described here, the morphology of immature stages, and evaluated the biology of M. bractatus in beans, potatoes, white clover, alfalfa, and wheat. The bioassays were carried out in the laboratory under controlled temperature (25±2ºC), humidity (UR70±15%), and photoperiod (12L:12D). The eggs of M. bractatus are elongated and slightly curved, without respiratory projections and light yellow in color, becoming dark at the end of the incubation period. Nymphs present an oval-shaped body, a reddish color that intensifies along with the development and dimorphic wing pads in the fifth instar. In the bioassays, the host plants influenced the biological aspects of M. bractatus, both in the immature and adult stages. Nymph survival was higher in clover and alfalfa, while in wheat, it was lower. Clover-fed insects had the longest longevity. The fecundity parameters and egg viability were favored in insects that fed on clover and alfalfa. The fertility life table showed that feeding M. bractatus with clover provides a higher net reproduction rate (R0) and a higher finite ratio of population increase (ʎ). This study contributes to bioecological and behavioral studies on M. bractatus and provides data for the recognition and characterization of individuals in the immature stage.

ABSTRACT. Strawberries are berry-type fruits that are very popular and widely consumed all over the world. The sensorial, physical-chemical and nutritional characteristics of strawberries are parameters of quality that influence the choices of consumers. However, these characteristics may be influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors that alter the fruit quality. The concentrations of nutrients and other chemical compounds in strawberries may increase and/or decrease according to the cropping system, maturation stage, climatic conditions, and preservation and storage methods. Factors characteristic of the cultivar, such as the genetic profile, may also influence the composition of strawberries. In this context, the objective of this research was to evaluate the sensorial, physical-chemical and nutritional characteristics of different strawberry cultivars to identify the genotype(s) with the best characteristics for commercialization and human consumption. The day-neutral strawberry cultivar "Aromas" and short-day strawberry cultivars "Camarosa, Camino Real, Dover, Sweet Charlie, and Tudla" were cultivated in the Olericultura Sector of the State University of the Midwest (UNICENTRO), Paraná State, Brazil. The fruits were characterized in relation to their physical-chemical, nutritional and sensorial aspects. According to the sensorial profiles, the Camarosa, Camino Real, Dover, and Tudla genotypes showed greater acceptability among consumers. Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, and Tudla presented better physical-chemical characteristics for human consumption, while the cultivars Camarosa, Dover, and Tudla had the best nutritional contents. In general, it is concluded that the genotypes Camarosa and Tudla are the most favourable for human consumption, according to their sensorial, physical-chemical and nutritional characteristics.

RESUMO O conhecimento da capacidade de combinação entre genótipos, diversidade genética e heterose desempenha um papel fundamental na obtenção de híbridos duplos com potencial produtivo. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar esses parâmetros em genótipos de tomate por meio de um cruzamento dialélico balanceado entre híbridos simples comerciais, gerando híbridos duplos. Os genótipos de tomate incluíram 15 híbridos duplos, seus genitores e dois genótipos comerciais como testemunhas. Dos 15 híbridos duplos, dois cruzamentos exibiram superioridade, Aguamiel × Compack e Dominador × Compack, principalmente em relação à produção de frutos comerciais. Para essa caracteristica, genes com efeito não aditivo controlam sua expressão. Para massa do fruto, diâmetro horizontal, diâmetro vertical e altura de inserção do cacho, genes com efeito aditivo são responsáveis pela sua expressão genotípica. Em relação à diversidade genética, as análises moleculares indicaram polimorfismo para 79% dos locos avaliados, evidenciando a alta variabilidade genética dos genitores. Os valores de heterose foram baixos para a maioria dos cruzamentos, exceto para a combinação Quarenta × Plutão, que apresentou heterose de 107% para a produção total de frutos. O cruzamento dialélico gerou combinações híbridas com desempenho superior em relação às testemunhas comerciais, sugerindo a possibilidade de obter híbridos duplos de tomate com heterose significante.

ABSTRACT Knowledge of the combining ability of genotypes, genetic diversity, and heterosis play the paramount role in obtaining double-cross hybrids with high productivity. This study was aimed at evaluating these parameters in tomato genotypes using partial diallel crosses among the commercial single-cross hybrids, which verified the possibility of using double-cross hybrids for commercial purposes. Tomato genotypes included 15 double-cross hybrids, their genitors, and two commercial genotypes as checks. Of the fifteen double-cross hybrids of tomato, two crosses exhibited superiority, such as Aguamiel × Compack and Dominador × Compack, mainly for the total and commercial fruit yields. The phenotypic expression of the trait is controlled by the genes with non-additive effects, whereas the genes with additive effects account for the genotypes of fruit mass, horizontal diameter, vertical diameter, and bunch insertion height. Regarding the genetic diversity, molecular analyses pointed out polymorphism for 79 percent of the evaluated loci evidencing a high genetic variability among the genitors. The heterosis values were low for most of the crosses, except for Forty × Plutão that represented 107 percent of heterosis for the total fruit yield. As compared with the commercial checks, the diallel cross generated superior quality hybrids, which inferred the possibility of obtaining double-cross hybrids of tomato with significant heterosis.

ABSTRACT Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are a serious threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield and production since all varieties are highly susceptible to this insect. The wild tomato Solanum pennellii shows resistance towards whiteflies infestation due the high contents of acylsugars presents in its leaflets, which is not observed in S. lycopersicum. Thus, plants from the F2BC2 population derived from the cross between the cultivar S. lycopersicum ‘Redenção’ and S. pennellii (accession LA-716) were selected for acylsugars levels and evaluated for resistance to whitefly and fumagine, a saprophyte fungus from genus Capnodium (sooty mold) that grows on leaves using whiteflies excretion. Biological behavior of B. tabaci was significantly influenced by the levels of acylsugars on the leaflets of the different genotypes. Solanum pennellii and the genotypes with higher acylsugars contents exhibited the lowest whitefly oviposition preference, number of nymphs, exuviae and adult survival. Also, the percentage of leaf coverage with fumagine was significantly reduced on leaves of the S. pennellii and the genotypes with higher acylsugars. Thus, it confirms that the use of S. pennellii LA-716 enabled the introgression of genes to increase the degrees of resistance in the F2BC2 genotypes. Finally, the results presented suggest that the genotypes RVTA-2010-31-177pl#39, RVTA-2010-31-319pl#214 and RVTA-2010-83-347pl#257 can be used as potential sources of genes for resistance to B. tabaci in tomato breeding programs.

RESUMO A cada ano, novas cultivares geradas por programas internacionais de melhoramento adentram no mercado brasileiro. Essas cultivares necessitam ser testadas quanto à sua adaptação ao clima de cada ambiente devido à grande variedade de climas existentes no país. O morango é um pseudofruto altamente apreciado devido às suas características bioquímicas e sensoriais, sendo considerado o mais importante. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as propriedades físicas, bioquímicas e sensoriais por meio da avaliação sensorial de morangos comercialmente cultivados na região do sul de Minas Gerais, que é caracterizada por climas tropicais de altitude. Os dados foram analisados e os parâmetros estatísticos foram gerados por meio da análise de componentes principais (ACP), mapas de calor e dendrogramas para determinar o perfil genético de cada cultivar, bem como sua relação. Os tratamentos e variáveis analisadas foram divididos em quatro grupos com base no método UPGMA. Considerando os programas de melhoramento visando identificar e selecionar genótipos de morangos com melhores propriedades bioquímicas, o grupo III (‘Albion’ e ‘Oso Grande’) foi selecionado devido à sua alta atividade antioxidante DPPH, teor de antocianina intermediário e compostos fenólicos totais. A cultivar Albion apresentou excelentes atributos bioquímicos, principalmente no que se refere aos níveis de glicose, frutose, compostos fenólicos e capacidade antioxidante (FRAP e DPPH). Com base no agrupamento hierárquico e na qualidade sensorial dos pseudofrutos, a cultivar Camarosa apresentou os menores escores para a maioria dos atributos sensoriais avaliados. As cultivares Minas-C e Oso Grande apresentaram as maiores pontuações para todos os atributos avaliados, incluindo aceitação geral, aroma, cor e intenção de compra.

ABSTRACT New cultivars generated each year by international breeding programs enter the Brazilian market. These cultivars need to be tested for their adaptation to the climate in each environment due to the great variety of climates that exist in the country. Strawberry is a highly appreciated fruit due to its biochemical and sensory characteristics and is considered the most important berry. The objective of this study was to determine the physical, biochemical, and sensory properties by performing a sensory evaluation of strawberry fruits, commercially cultivated in the South Minas Gerais region, which is characterized by high-altitude tropical climates. Data were analyzed, and statistical parameters were generated using the principal component analysis (PCA), heat maps, and dendrograms to determine the genetic profile of each cultivar, as well as their relationship. The treatments and analyzed variables were divided into four groups based on the UPGMA method. Considering breeding programs aiming to identify and select strawberries genotypes with better biochemical properties, group III (‘Albion’ and ‘Oso Grande’) was selected due to its high DPPH antioxidant activity, intermediate anthocyanin content, and total phenolic compounds. The Albion cultivar showed excellent biochemical attributes, especially with regard to the levels of glucose, fructose, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity (FRAP and DPPH). Based on the hierarchical grouping and sensorial quality of fruits, the Camarosa cultivar had the lowest scores for most of the sensory attributes evaluated. Minas-C and Oso Grande cultivars presented the highest scores for all the evaluated attributes, including overall acceptance, aroma, color, and purchase intention.

ABSTRACT The evaluation of genetic diversity among the accessions of a germplasm collection results in information about promising materials suitable for breeding programs. Thus, the goal of this work was to characterize Capsicum baccatum accessions from different Brazilian regions, based on morphological, biochemical and molecular traits, aiming to support chili pepper breeding programs. The fruits were morphologically characterized based on fruit length, diameter, fresh mass and pericarp thickness, and biochemically analyzed for their content in ascorbic and phenolic acids, flavonoid and antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. All phenotypic traits showed significant differences among the chili pepper accessions, indicating a wide variability. The fruits were also characterized using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular markers. The combination of six AFLP primers resulted in 1117 bands, 1033 of which were polymorphic. Divergence between accessions was estimated by the Ward’s hierarchical agglomerative clustering method, resulting in three and two clusters for fruit phenotypic traits and molecular data, respectively. In Bayesian analysis, molecular data also clustered the accessions in two groups. There was no association between the phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers, indicating that both characterizations are important to better understand the genetic variability. Furthermore, it was not possible to group the accessions solely based on their origin for neither phenotypic descriptors and AFLP markers. The accessions G1, G5, G6, and G20 showed interesting characteristics and can be used in breeding programs, aiming the development of Capsicum spp. cultivars with desirable morphological and biochemical traits.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da aplicação exógena de ácido salicílico como indutor de resistência ao ácaro-rajado e à traça em genótipos de tomateiro. Para isso, realizaram-se bioensaios com três genótipos comerciais (‘Redenção’, ‘Giuliana’ e ‘Alambra’) e um silvestre (Solanum habrochaites var. hirsutum acesso PI-127826). Determinou-se a distância média percorrida pelo ácaro-rajado e o número de ovos depositados sobre os folíolos dos genótipos. Com relação ao bioensaio da traça-do-tomateiro, foram avaliados o número de ovos e lagartas na superfície do folíolo e a porcentagem de área foliar consumida pelas lagartas por meio de digitalização dos folíolos. Além disso, avaliou-se a severidade do ataque na planta utilizando uma escala de notas referente a danos, tipos de lesões e folíolos atacados. A aplicação de ácido salicílico induziu resistência nos genótipos comerciais para ambas as pragas, diminuindo a oviposição do ácaro e da traça do tomateiro. Os ácaros percorreram menor distância nos folíolos dos genótipos que receberam tratamento com ácido salicílico nas concentrações intermediarias, indicando efeito benéfico da substância na indução de resistência. A severidade do ataque da traça do tomateiro, também foi coibida quando aplicadas doses intermediárias de ácido salicílico. Entretanto, observou-se resistência superior do acesso PI-127826 em relação aos demais genótipos. Isso indica que a resistência de PI-127826 se deve à defesa constitutiva, enquanto que nos genótipos comerciais as defesas são dependentes, em parte, de respostas de indução mediadas pelo ácido salicílico. Dessa forma, pode se inferir que o ácido salicílico é eficiente como indutor de resistência ao ácaro rajado e à traça-do-tomateiro, sendo bastante promissor dentro de um manejo integrado de pragas em cultivos comerciais de tomateiro.

ABSTRACT This study was performed to evaluate the effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid as a resistance inducer to two-spotted spider mite and tomato pinworm on tomato genotypes. Bioassays were carried out in three commercial genotypes (‘Redenção’, ‘Giuliana’, and ‘Alambra’) and one wild genotype (Solanum habrochaites var. hirsutum, accession PI-127826). Average distance travelled by the two-spotted spider mite and number of eggs deposited over the leaflets of the genotypes were investigated. Concerning pinworm bioassay, number of eggs, leafminers on leaflet surface and percentage of leaf area consumed by leafminers were evaluated using a scanner. Furthermore, severity of attack to plants was evaluated by score scale for damages, types of lesions and attacked leaflets. Salicylic acid application induced resistance in the commercial genotypes against both pests, reducing the two-spotted spider mite and pinworm oviposition. The spider mites travelled shorter distance on leaflets of genotypes treated with salicylic acid at intermediate concentrations, indicating a positive effect of substance as inducing resistance. Attack severity by pinworm was also reduced when intermediate doses of salicylic acid were applied. Also, higher resistance was observed on accession PI-127826 as compared to other genotypes. The obtained results indicate that the resistance of PI-127826 was due to constitutive defense, whereas on commercial genotypes defense was dependent on responses mediated by salicylic acid. Hence, salicylic acid treatment, as resistance inducer, seems to be efficient against two-spotted spider mite and pinworm, being a promising tool within an integrated pest management on tomato plants.

RESUMO O ácaro rajado (Tetranychus urticae) é a principal praga do morangueiro em ambiente protegido, causando danos e aumentando os custos de produção com o controle químico. Em programas de melhoramento, é essecial que as novas cultivares sejam tolerantes ao ácaro. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a resistência ao ácaro rajado de híbridos intraespecíficos, pré-selecionados, mediada por tricomas foliares. Híbridos pré-selecionados foram submetidos a presença do ácaro rajado e avaliados por meio do teste sem chance de escolha e caminhamento, na superfície do folíolo. A resistência ao ácaro foi correlacionada de forma significativa e com a densidade de tricomas glandularese não glandulares,na superfície abaxial dos folíolos dos genótipos.Os resultados evidenciam que há influência dos híbridos pré-selecionados e cultivares, no comportamento do ácaro rajado, permitindo, constatar a resistência dos genótipos RVDA#16, RVCS#44 e Camino Real. Esses tratamentos obtiveram menor número de ovos depositados e eclodidos, quando comparados aos demais e, também menores distâncias percorridas pelo ácaro rajado. Verificou-se ainda que os tricomas glandulares foram correlacionados significativa e negativamente com a distância média percorrida pelo ácaro rajado, na superfície dos discos foliares dos genótipos RVDA#16, RVCS#44 e Camino Real, indicando que essas estruturas alteram o comportamento do artrópode-praga. A resistência dos genótipos está associada a presença dos tricomas gladulares. Os híbridos pré-selecionados (RVDA#16 e RVCS#44), além da superioridade dos atributos agronômicos e de pós-colheita, identificados na seleção anterior, foram promissores para resistência ao ácaro rajado, consistindo em importante genótipo para ser utilizado como cultivar e, principalmente, como parental em programas de melhoramento genético.

ABSTRACT The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is the main pest encountered in strawberry cultivation in protected environments, causing damage and increasing the cost of production associated with chemical control. Breeding programs are essential for obtaining new cultivars that are more tolerant to two-spotted spider mites. The objective was to evaluate whether the leaf trichomes mediatethe resistance of intraspecific strawberry hybrids to two-spotted spider mites. Preselected hybrids were subjected to infestation by two-spotted spider mites and evaluated via the no-choice assay and the travel test. Resistance was correlated with the density of trichomes, both glandular and non-glandular, present on the surface of the leaflets of strawberry genotypes. The results indicated that there is an influence of hybrids and cultivars on the behavior of the pest, allowing the verification of the existence of resistant genotypes (RVDA#16, RVCS#44 and Camino Real). These treatments resulted in low numbers of eggs deposited and hatched compared with the other treatments and shorter distances traveled by two-spotted spider mites on the surface of leaflets. It was also verified that the glandular trichomes presented a significant negative correlation with the average distance traveled by two-spotted spider mites on the surface of the leaf discs, indicating that these structures alter the behavior of these arthropods. Genotype resistance was associated with the presence of glandular trichomes. In addition to the superiority of the agronomic and postharvest attributes of the preselected hybrids (RVDA#16 and RVCS#44) identified in the previous selection efforts, they proved to be promising materials for achieving resistance to the spider mite, revealing important genotypes for use as cultivars and particularly as parents in breeding programs.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this study is to analyze the growth of wild species of tomato, of the cultivar Redenção and of the respective F1 hybrids of interspecific crossings. We evaluated six wild-type accessions (Solanum pimpinellifolium ‘AF 26970’, S. galapagense ‘LA-1401’, S. peruvianum ‘AF 19684’, S. habrochaites var. hirsutum ‘PI-127826’, S. habrochaites var. glabratum ‘PI-134417’, and S. pennellii ‘LA-716’) and the commercial cultivar Redenção (S. lycopersicum) together with their respective interspecific hybrids. In completely randomized blocks and plots subdivided by time (16, 28, 42, 56, 70, and 84 days after transplanting), we evaluated leaf area (LA), total dry matter (TDM), absolute growth rate (AGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR). The distribution of assimilates in the different organs followed different patterns according to genotype. There was a greater accumulation of LA and TDM in the accessions ‘PI-127826’ and ‘PI-134417’ and in the hybrids ‘Redenção’ x ‘PI-127826’ and ‘Redenção’ x ‘PI-134417’. Due to a heterotrophic effect provided by the crossings, there were higher LA, TDM, AGR, RGR and NAR in hybrids than in parent plants. The accessions ‘PI-127826’ and ‘PI-134417’ presented a potential to be donor parents for obtaining tomatoes with a greater capacity of net assimilation and biomass accumulation.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this study was to verify the resistance of tomato genotypes (crossed with Solanum galapagense) to the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, and the association of this resistance with glandular trichomes. Leaf trichomes were quantified for seven F2 genotypes of the BPX-486 population derived from crossing S. lycopersicum ‘TOM-684’ and S. galapagense accession ‘LA-1401’, for the commercial controls ‘TOM-584’ and ‘Santa Clara’, and for the accession ‘LA-1401’. After this evaluation, the genotypes were subjected to two nonpreference resistance tests of the green peach aphid in the laboratory, one with choice and the other without choice. Five genotypes (BPX-486-17, BPX-486-62, BPX-486-10, BPX-486-46, and BPX-486-08) and the accession LA-1401 exhibited a high density of type IV glandular trichomes and a lower mean number of nymphs and adults of M. persicae than two genotypes (BPX-486-313 and BPX-486-383) and the controls with a low density of glandular trichomes, in all the evaluations of both tests. Significant negative correlations between the density of type IV glandular trichomes of the tomato genotypes and the preference of M. persicae were found, which confirms the association between this type of glandular trichome and resistance to M. persicae in tomato genotypes.

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a produção de um clone de alho submetido a condições de infecção viral e livre de vírus, com base na classificação por tamanho de bulbos e bulbilhos. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de bulbilhos infectados com vírus ou não infectados, obtidos de bulbos de quatro classes de tamanho e de bulbilhos com três diâmetros de peneira. Avaliaram-se as características vegetativas e a produção das plantas. As plantas infectadas por complexos virais apresentaram redução na emergência (8,4%), na altura de planta (9,8%) e na produção comercial de bulbos (39,4%), além de menor massa média de bulbos e bulbilhos. O clone livre de vírus teve maior produção de bulbos nas classes 5 (42‒47 mm), 6 (47‒56 mm) e 7 (>56 mm), bem como menor influência no padrão comercial, em razão da variação do tamanho do alho-semente. No clone infectado, os bulbos de classe 6 e os bulbilhos de peneira 1 (15×25) produziram bulbos de maior valor comercial. O alho-semente livre de vírus e com bulbos e bulbilhos de tamanho médio e grande produz bulbos de maior valor comercial, enquanto, para o alho infectado, isto só é possível com o alho de maior tamanho.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and production of a garlic clone subjected to either infection or virus-free conditions, according to bulb and clove size classification. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Treatments consisted of either virus-infected or virus-free cloves, obtained from bulbs of four size classes and from cloves with three sieve diameters. Vegetative characteristics and plant production were assessed. Plants infected by viral complexes showed a reduction in emergence (8.4%), plant height (9.8%), and production of marketable bulbs (39.4%), as well as a lower average mass of bulbs and cloves. The virus-free clone produced more bulbs in classes 5 (42-47 mm), 6 (47-56 mm), and 7 (> 56 mm), besides having a lower influence on marketable quality standards as a function of garlic seed size variation. In the infected clone, bulbs from sieve 6 and cloves from sieve 1 (15×25 mm) produced bulbs with the highest market value. Virus-free garlic seed, with bulbs and cloves of medium and large size, produce bulbs of the highest market value, whereas, for the infected garlic, this is possible only with the larger garlic size.

Resumo O biogás é uma tecnologia que possibilita a geração de energia através do processo de biodigestão anaeróbia, sendo uma opção a produção a partir de batata-doce como fonte energética. A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar a produção de biogás em biodigestores anaeróbios de bancada, caracterizar os parâmetros físico-química das cultivares de batata-doce BRS Cuia e BRS Rubissol e dos genótipos Bela Vista e Laranjeiras. Foi feita análise de variância, teste Tukey e correlação com a caracterização físico-química dos genótipos por análise de componentes principais (ACP). A partir das análises da composição das raízes tuberosas, foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os genótipos, devido a influência na absorção da umidade, decomposição, ocorrendo variações na produtividade e qualidade das raízes. Para os ensaios do potencial bioquímico de metano (BMP - biochemical methane potential) a estimativa de produção de biogás foi de 2.906,5 L ha-1 para a cultivar BRS Cuia e de 2.712,4 L ha-1 para Laranjeiras, de 2906,5 L ha-1 para BRS Rubissol e de 398,2 L ha-1 para Bela Vista. A partir da ACP com a produção de biogás dos genótipos de batata-doce, dos parâmetros físico-químicos e agronômicos, foi possível identificar que todos os genótipos têm correlação direta com a quantidade de açúcares redutores e umidade, com explicação de 97,77% da variabilidade dos dados, e que o genótipo Laranjeiras foi o que apresentou maior potencial significativo em produzir biogás, seguido da BRS Cuia. Diante dos resultados obtidos enfatiza-se a cultura da batata-doce como fonte de biomassa para a geração de energia.

Abstract Biogas is a technology that enables the generation of energy through the process of anaerobic biodigestion, and sweet potato is an option as an energy production source. This research evaluated biogas production in anaerobic biodigesters and characterized the physico-chemical composition of two commercial sweet potato cultivars, BRS Cuia and BRS Rubissol, and two genotypes, Bela Vista and Laranjeiras. Variance analysis, the Tukey test and the physical-chemical characterization were completed, and the results were correlated using principal component analysis (PCA). In the analyses of tuberous root composition, significant differences between the genotypes were observed because of the influence of the absorption of moisture, decomposition, and variations in the yield and quality of roots. For the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test, the estimate of biogas production was 2,906.5 liters ha-1 for the cultivar BRS Cuia, 2,712.4 liters ha-1 for Laranjeiras, 2,906.5 liters ha-1 for BRS Rubissol, and 398,2 liters ha-1 for Bela Vista. The PCA analysis of sweet potato genotypes, physical-chemical and agronomic parameters showed all genotypes have a direct correlation with the amount of reducing sugars and humidity, with 97.77% of the data variability explained. The Laranjeiras genotype has the most significant potential to produce biogas, followed by the BRS Cuia cultivar. The results emphasize that the sweet potato crop is a good source of biomass for energy generation.