Common beans (P. vulgaris L.) belong to the Fabaceae (Legume) family and have the ability to associate with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, as well as benefit from interaction with fungi and bacteria that can contribute to nutrient solubilization, reduction of pathogenic microorganism activity, and mitigation of the impacts of water deficit on their vegetative and reproductive growth and development. Given this potential, the use of bio-inputs in common bean cultivation has become a viable option to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals. In this context, coinoculations emerge as a promising approach to integrate disease control with a reduction in fertilizer use. The objective of this work was to assess the effect of biopesticide and biofertilizer coinoculation on the crop development of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under the environmental conditions of the Pernambuco Agreste. The study was conducted under open field and in pots, within the experimental area of the Federal University of Agreste of Pernambuco (UFAPE). The experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design in a factorial scheme [(2 x 3) + 3]. The treatments consisted of two biocontrol agents (Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma asperelloides, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and three growth promoters: Bacillus aryabhattai (stress reliever), Azospirillum brasiliense, and Rhizobium tropici (biological nitrogen fixation), and Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus velezensis, Pseudomonas fluorescens (phosphorus solubilizer). Additionally, three controls were included: an absolute control (no fertilizer), organic matter (poultry litter), and a combination of organic (poultry litter) and mineral fertilization (100% NPK), with three replications. The combination of Trichoderma + stress reliever showed the best performance for vegetative growth traits. Furthermore, the coinoculations of Trichoderma + phosphorus solubilizer, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens + nitrogen fixer, and Trichoderma + stress reliever accounted for the best results in the reproductive variables of the common bean compared to the absolute control. The combinations of Trichoderma + phosphorus solubilizer and Trichoderma + stress reliever showed significant differences in the growth characteristics of the common bean compared to the poultry litter control. Regarding yield-related traits, no significant differences were observed in comparisons involving the poultry litter andconventional fertilization (NPK) controls. The combination of Trichoderma + stress reliever resulted in the lowest taproot necrosis index, whereas the highest indices were found in the combinations of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens + phosphorus solubilizer and B. amyloliquefaciens + nitrogen fixer. Overall, Trichoderma showed greater compatibility with the growth promoters for the analyzed variables compared to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Livestock farming is one of the main economic activities in the Brazilian Semi-Arid region. However, the irregularity of the rainfall regime in the region results in imbalances between the supply and demand of forage for livestock feed. To mitigate this problem, the intercropping of forage species has been widely recommended due to its numerous benefits, such as increasing both the quantity and quality of forage, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers, and enhancing natural mechanisms for pest and disease control. Given these advantages, it is essential to evaluate the performance of forage cactus when cultivated in association with forage tree legumes. In the context of agricultural management in the Semi-Arid region, this practice is still rarely explored on a commercial scale. Thus, this study aims to evaluate and promote improvements in the intercropped cultivation of forage cactus with legumes, investigating how this association influences forage quality. To achieve this, a field experiment was conducted, established in January 2023 at the experimental station of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco (IPA), located in Caruaru-PE. The experimental design included five treatments, covering both the isolated cultivation of cactus and legumes, as well as three intercropping arrangements. The tested arrangements were: (T3) four rows alternating legume and cactus, (T4) five rows with legumes on the edges and cactus in the center, and (T5) five rows with cactus on the edges and legume in the center. To standardize plant density, the first pruning of the legumes will be carried out 365 days after planting when the plants reach 60 cm in height. Morphological and agronomic traits, as well as the production components of both the forage cactus and the legume, were evaluated, considering both qualitative and quantitative aspects, with measurements taken every 60 and 90 days, respectively. Additionally, bromatological analyses of the studied species were conducted. The biometric results indicated that the forage cactus did not show significant differences in height and width among the treatments. However, the legume Gliricidia sepium exhibited significant variation in plant width, with the treatment consisting of double rows of cactus and single rows of Gliricidia showing the highest value (185 cm). The green matter yield of Gliricidia, considering the stem fraction, also presented significant differences, with the highest productivity observed in the isolated cultivation of the species (T2). Overall, the most efficient treatment for producers was the one in which single rows of Gliricidia were intercropped with double rows of forage cactus. The results of this study are expected to contribute to optimizing agricultural management in the Brazilian Semi-Arid region, promoting more sustainable, economical, and efficient forage production. Moreover, reducing dependence on nitrogen fertilizers may represent a significant advancement in the productive and environmental feasibility of livestock systems in the region, addressing local demands in a more balanced and resilient manner.

Brazil is one of the world's largest producers of vegetables, with an estimated annual production of over 20 million tons, generating around 7 million jobs. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), originally from the Mediterranean, stands out for its medicinal and aromatic properties. However, the expansion of this vegetable crop faces challenges, such as attacks by insect pests, especially aphids

of the Aphididae family, especially Hyadaphis foeniculi, which compromise the production of fruits and seeds of this crop. These insects cause direct damage, by sucking sap, and indirect damage, by transmitting viruses and promoting the growth of fungi. Losses can reach up to 60%, with chemical control being the main strategy. However, the indiscriminate use of pesticides generates environmental impacts and pest resistance, demanding more sustainable management practices. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different bioinsecticides in controlling the aphid H. foeniculi and their selectivity in relation to the natural predator Euborellia annulipes. The extract of Sophora flavescens (Matrine®), the emulsifiable oil of Azadirachta indica (Fitoneem®) and the adjuvants (Ranger® and Santara®), based on essential oil from the peel of Citrus sinensis, were tested. The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions, where the mortality rates of the aphids, survival curves and the toxicological effects and computerized behavioral ecology on the predator were analyzed. The results indicated that Matrine® provided the greatest efficacy, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of only 609 ppm and a median lethal time (MLT) of 18 hours at a concentration of 10,000 ppm. Santara® also demonstrated good performance, with a LC50of 2008 ppm, while treatments with Ranger® and Fitoneem® showed low toxicity, with LC50above 10,000 ppm. There was an additive effect of the combination of Santara® and Matrine® on the mortality of H. foeniculi, since the observed mortality was higher than the expected mortality of 50% from the isolated effect of each of the products. The opposite was observed in E. annulipes, since the adjuvant Santara®, when mixed, nullified the slightly harmful effect of Matrine®. There is no evidence of significant impact of the products alone or in mixture on the ethological variables evaluated, i.e., average speed, resting period and continuous mobility. Thus, the S. flavencens extract with Matrine® alone or in mixture with the Santara® adjuvant stands out not only for its high toxicity to H. foeniculi, but also for its selectivity to E. annulipes, showing low impact on the predator compared to the other products.

Commercial pitaya cultivation in the Pernambuco countryside has been attracting increasing interest, and phytosanitary challenges are a major obstacle to cultivation, as there is little information about management, and the resulting infections have been causing more losses and concerns over time, such as rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum, which can affect young or old cladodes and fruits, causing rot and constituting a major epidemiological problem for the crop. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of plant extracts and hydrolates in controlling Fusarium oxysporum, a pathogen of pitaya cultivation. To conduct the tests, crude extracts and hydrolates of native species of the caatinga, such as Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth, Croton tricolor Klotzsch ex Baill, and Eugenia uniflora L., were obtained. In the crude extracts, the leaves were crushed to remove the liquid in a hydraulic press, and the hydrolates were prepared by the hydrodistillation technique using the Clevenger apparatus. To perform the in vitro tests, a completely randomized design (CRD) was used with 6 treatments and a control in 5 replicates. The materials were worked in the following concentrations (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%) of the derivatives, which were diluted in distilled and sterilized water. Then, with the aid of a pipette, 100 μl of the liquids were placed in petri dishes with Potato-Dextrose-Agar (PDA) and spread with the Drigalski loop. The plates were placed in B.O.D, and measurements of the diameter of the fungus were taken over the days. On the seventh day, the spores were counted. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was also performed to determine the chemical components. The results indicated that for the mycelial growth rate and sporulation index, it was observed that of the materials used, only the extract of C. heliotropiifolius significantly reduced fungal growth in all its concentrations in relation to the control. However, the same did not happen with the hydrolate of the same and other species. There was also no significant difference in the crude extracts of E. uniflora and C. tricolor Klotzsch. Therefore, the results found in this research indicated that only the crude extract of C. heliotropiifolius reduced fungal development.

Viticulture plays an important socioeconomic role in Brazil and worldwide, 

but phytosanitary challenges can be an obstacle for winegrowers, leading to losses of up to 100%. 

Given the need for crop protection and the growing demand for more sustainable options for disease management, 

this study aims to evaluate the potential of bioproducts in the management of Plasmopara viticola, one of the main 

pathogens of the crop. In vitro experiments were conducted in the phytopathology laboratory of the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco, 

where the effect of direct contact of pathogen sporangia with the biological products Timorex Gold (formulation 

based on Melaleuca alternifolia extract) and Twixx-A (commercial biological formulation with Bacillus 

amyloliquefaciens strain) was evaluated at concentrations of 1, 2 and 3 mL.L-1, being evaluated for two periods 

(6 and 18 hours after incubation). The test was set up in a completely randomized design, with 3 replicates. 

A compatibility test was also performed between Twixx-A and fungicides containing copper hydroxide (Garra®), mancozeb 

(Manzate®), metalaxyl + mancozeb (Ridomil Gold®), cymoxanil + mancozeb (Galben®), dimethomorph (Forum®) 

and M. alternifolia oil (Timorex Gold®) at concentrations of 50, 100 and 150% of the manufacturers' recommendation. 

For each treatment, five plates were used, distributed in a completely randomized design, with the experimental 

unit consisting of a Petri dish. The evaluation of the efficiency of the products in the field was verified in an in vivo 

experiment, conducted in a commercial area to evaluate the effect of Timorex Gold and Twixx-A at doses of 2 and 3

 mL.L-1, with the area divided into 4 blocks and the treatments applied via foliar application once a week with 

assessment of incidence and severity every four days. In the in vitro tests, it was observed that Timorex Gold at the 

three doses tested and Twixx-A at a dose of 1 ml L-1 reduced the release of zoospores at 6 pm when compared to 

the control. In addition, the compatibility of Twixx-A with fungicides based on copper hydroxide, dimethomorph and 

tea tree oil was verified. In the field test, no statistically significant difference was observed between the treatments 

by the F test (p > 0.05). Given the results presented, new studies must be carried out in order to test new doses, 

forms and application intervals.

Phaseolus lunatus L., commonly known as lima bean, is a legume of significant socioeconomic and nutritional importance for rural communities in the Brazilian semiarid region, where it is traditionally cultivated by family farmers. The landrace seeds of this species represent a valuable genetic resource, shaped by generations of natural and cultural selection. In this context, the morphological, physiological, and sanitary characterization of these seeds is essential to support conservation strategies and, more importantly, to enhance participatory breeding programs aimed at promoting the sustainability of family farming systems.This study aimed to characterize the physical, morphological, physiological, and sanitary attributes of 18 traditional varieties of P. lunatus cultivated by farmers in the Southern Agreste region of Pernambuco, Brazil. The research was conducted at the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco, using seeds collected from 18 agricultural communities across the region. The seeds were initially classified and described based on physical and morphological descriptors and subsequently subjected to germination, vigor, and health assessments (blotter test). Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses revealed considerable genetic variability among the accessions, highlighting their potential for the selection of superior genotypes. A negative correlation was observed between the presence of Cladosporium and key physiological variables such as germination (r = -0.61), first germination count (r = -0.59), and cotyledon dry weight (r = -0.35). Conversely, collar diameter showed a positive correlation with germination speed index (r = 0.51), final germination (r = 0.56), and first count (r = 0.48). Notably, cotyledon dry weight exhibited a strong positive correlation with the germination speed index (r = 0.90), suggesting that vigorous seedlings tend to accumulate more biomass. These findings underscore the potential of traditional landraces as a genetic base for breeding programs and reinforce their role in agroecological systems. The observed genetic diversity serves as a foundation for the development of improved cultivars better adapted to local conditions, contributing to food security and resilience in semiarid farming systems.

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops for food security and the global economy. Its performance indicates the need for improved management practices to increase production efficiency and profitability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of combining different biological products that stimulate plant development on corn crop agronomic performance. The experimental trial was conducted under field conditions at the Experimental Area of the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco, in the municipality of Garanhuns, Pernambuco, from May 14 to July 2, 2025. Three biological products with distinct functions were used: phosphorus solubilizer, growth promoter, and biological control agent, applied singly and in combination, in addition to a mineral control. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and four replicates. Plant physiological and biometric variables were evaluated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and a mean comparison test was applied. The mineral control resulted in greater root biomass accumulation and chlorophyll levels, as well as improved physiological efficiency. Among the biological products, Biocompost alone stood out for promoting greater leaf area and physiological efficiency, similar to the control. The combinations of microorganisms showed variable effects, suggesting possible interactions that may limit their performance.

The cultivation of common bean in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil is essential for sustaining family farming and is considered a subsistence crop. However, bean productivity is affected by edaphoclimatic variations, such as high temperatures, seasonal rainfall, and soils with low nutrient content, especially in semi-arid regions. To overcome these limitations, the use of biochar emerges as a promising alternative to improve soil physicochemical properties and enhance crop productivity. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the residual effect of poultry litter biochar on common bean cultivation and soil physicochemical properties in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco. A randomized block experiment was conducted, assessing the residual effect of different biochar dosages (10, 20, and 40 t ha⁻¹) compared to mineral fertilization, poultry manure (6 t ha⁻¹), and chicken litter (10 t ha⁻¹). The results show that residual dosages improved soil water storage, carbon stock throughout the soil profile, and increased bean productivity. The highest yields were observed in treatments with organic fertilizers (poultry litter and poultry manure). It is concluded that biochar can be a valuable tool for sustainable agriculture in semi-arid regions, especially when combined with organic fertilizers. Its use contributes to improving soil physical and chemical properties and water-use efficiency. However, further studies are needed to adjust dosages to maximize its benefits under different cultivation conditions.

Forage cactus is a strategic crop in the Brazilian Semi-Arid region, essential for animal feeding and food security, especially among smallholder farmers. However, its cultivation faces serious phytosanitary challenges due to fungal diseases caused by Fusarium solani, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, and Scytalidium lignicola, which directly affect plant productivity and health. Given the need for sustainable alternatives to chemical pesticides, biological control has emerged as a viable solution. In this context, yeasts isolated from native fruits of the Caatinga biome were evaluated for their antagonistic potential and chitinase production, an enzyme with relevant antifungal activity. The research was conducted in the laboratories of UFAPE and UNEB, using forage cactus cladodes susceptible to the main pathogens. In vitro assays showed that the yeast isolated from cashew fruit inhibited 90% of Lasiodiplodia theobromae growth and 86% of Fusarium solani. Meanwhile, the yeast isolated from wild passion fruit inhibited 96% of Scytalidium lignicola growth, demonstrating strong antagonistic activity. Chitinase production was also evaluated, with a maximum enzymatic activity of 0.2576 U. mL⁻¹ and total protein production of up to 0.1275 mg. mL⁻¹. The ex situ biocontrol tests reinforced the effectiveness of the yeasts, showing a significant reduction in the severity of fungal infections in the treated cladodes. 

Forage palm (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) is an important agricultural crop for the Brazilian Northeast, as its physiological and morphological characteristics are suitable for the region with a semi-arid climate. The stem of the forage palm is succulent, they have the CAM-type photosynthetic system and are xerophytic plants, these characteristics guarantee adaptation to environments with long periods of drought. As it is an important crop for small producers, it is essential that new studies are directed to enable sustainable measures to control pathogens and pests. As an alternative to the use of pesticides, biocontrol using microorganisms has proven to be highly viable and promising in controlling plant diseases. Despite being a rustic and resistant crop, its adaptive characteristics provide favorable conditions for the attack of phytopathogenic agents, mainly of fungal origin. Among the main pathogens that cause damage to crops are those that cause cladode and root rot, where the following fungi are classified: Fusarium solani, Scytalidium lignicolum and Lasiodiploidia theobromae. The aim of the work was to evaluate the production of fungal metabolites from endophytic fungi of Cactaceae in the biocontrol of phytopathogens that cause rot in cactus. The work was carried out at the Biotechnology Laboratory of the Research Support Laboratory Center (CENLAG) of the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE). Seven endophytic fungi from Cacteaceae were chosen, namely: Trichoderma harzianum (URM7210), Trichoderma aureoviride (URM6669), Trichoderma viride (URM6823), Trichoderma viride (URM6824), Syncephalastrum racemosum (URM6819), Penicillium glandicola (URM6268) and Triticharium dependos (URM6822). The phytopathogenic fungi Lasiodiplodia theobramae (URM4406), Scytalidium lignicolum (URM2313) and Fusarium solani (URM6264) were selected because they are the causal agents of rot in cactus pear. Antagonism was carried out using the confrontation method between the antagonist and the phytopathogen, consisting of placing 6 mm discs of both fungi on opposite sides of petri dishes, so that they could simultaneously reach the center of the dish. The evaluation was measured after seven (7 days). The production of the enzymes chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase were carried out under submerged fermentation, for a period of 96 hours, under a controlled temperature of ±30ºC and 140 rpm, the quantifications of both enzymes were carried out according to established protocols. The antagonistic potential against L. theobromae, F. solani and S. lignicolum, showed that the genus Trichoderma is a promising antagonistic agent, as they obtained the highest percentages of inhibition, the effects that provide the antagonistic potential consist of the release of volatile compounds and non-volatile substances, competition for food and space, rapid mycelial growth and the production of lytic enzymes. The screening showed that T. viride (URM6823) was the largest producer of chitinase with 1,939 U/ml and for beta-1,3-glucanase, S. racemosum (URM6819) was chosen, which produced 5,795 U/ml. The factorial design showed that acidic pH, greater quantity of colloidal chitin and spores, were the characteristics that optimized the enzymatic production of chitinase, where a production of 2.277 U/ml was obtained. For beta-1,3-glucanase, the highest yeast and spore extract conditions and the lowest pH resulted in the production of 6.282 U/ml. It is concluded that endophytic fungi from Cactaceae have the potential to combat phytopathogenic fungi in cactus pear.

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an oilseed with great economic potential, being explored on the national and international market. The physiological performance of the seed can be influenced by the availability of nutrients for the plant, which can directly reflect on the formation of the embryo, chemical composition, seed reserve structures, in addition to the development of an efficient antioxidant enzyme system, in order to react against the species reactive oxygen sources (ROS), generated by oxidative stress reactions, which cause seed deterioration. Therefore, it is of great importance to study the activity of nutrients, including phosphorus. The aim of the work was to evaluate the physiological quality and enzymatic activity of sesame seeds subjected to doses of organic phosphorus. The research was conducted in the experimental area of the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco – UFAPE. Seeds of two sesame cultivars, BRS Anahí and Trebol, were used, coming from plants fertilized with 50%, 100% and 150% of the P requirement with earthworm humus produced from agro-industrial waste and a control fertilized with NPK. The design adopted was completely randomized in a factorial scheme of (2x4), considering two sesame cultivars (C1 - BRS Anahí and C2 - Trebol). During the research, the following were evaluated: water content, weight of a thousand seeds, percentage of germination, percentage of viable seeds using the phenolphthalein test, abnormal seedlings, dead seeds, electrical conductivity, length, dry mass and fresh mass of seedlings and the enzymatic activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, soluble carbohydrates and protein. The water content did not show a significant difference, with a moisture percentage of 5% for the seeds in all treatments. For both cultivars, the 100% P dose provided the highest germination percentage of 90 and 89% for Anahí and Trebol, respectively. While the lowest percentage of germination was observed in seeds from doses of 50% and NPK for the cultivars Trebol and Anahí, respectively. Electrical conductivity expressed a higher value for seeds that were subjected to a dose of 50%, for both cultivars, indicating greater deterioration. It was found that the 50% dose of P provided the shortest seedling length, while the greatest length was achieved at the 100% dose and in the NPK control. Plants subjected to 50% and 100% fertilization for cv. Anahí and 50% for cv. Trebol provided seeds with lower protein content. Phosphate fertilizer interferes with the physiological performance of sesame seeds and the dose of 100% of the P requirement, obtained from earthworm humus, is an alternative to be used as mineral fertilizer. The evaluation of the activity of antioxidant enzymes to determine the physiological potential of sesame seeds is indicated when used together with other vigour tests.

Cowpea is considered a staple food for low-income populations in the Brazilian Northeast, and can also be used as green fodder, hay, silage and flour for animal feed. Rock powders are considered an option for seed pellet treatment and, as they are a mineral component, they have slow solubility in the field and vital nutrients for soil health. In non-conventional production systems, its use brings long-term benefits, for soils that easily leach nutrients, such as degraded tropical soils or those in the process of degradation. Seed pelleting treatment can significantly contribute to the mechanical or manual handling of seeds, increasing seed shape and weight, reducing seed expenditure and thinning practice, facilitating the incorporation of growth-regulating nutrients and inoculants, favoring the formation of the microclimate around the seeds and protecting the seeds from possible pests and pathogenic organisms. Dairy residue is a material that comes from the dairy industry and can contain large amounts of phosphorus and potassium. They are rich in organic matter and also contain other plant nutrients such as nitrogen and sulfur. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the productivity of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivar Miranda IPA 207 subjected to fertilization with doses of dairy residue in the presence and absence of rock dust via the seed. The use of rock dust did not contribute to better productive performance of the bean plant, the doses of dairy residue did not influence the cultivation of the bean plant, with the exception of biomass production, where the dose of 15 t ha-1 provided greater plant biomass. The association of dairy residue and rock dust via pelletization can be used in the production of cowpea to replace mineral fertilizer.

Soil degradation has emerged as a significantly urgent environmental concern, contributing to the decline of soil properties in semi-arid regions. However, there is still a gap regarding the effects of desertification and the validation of restoration methods on sensitive soil quality indicators such as enzymatic stoichiometry in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate chemical, biological indicators, and enzymatic stoichiometry in soil samples from the Caatinga, a semi-arid region in Brazil. We compared three different conditions: (a) native vegetation of the Caatinga; (b) restored lands, resulting from two decades of agroforestry implementation; and (c) degraded lands, from the desertification core of Cabrobó-PE. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-10 cm during the dry season to evaluate chemical and biological properties and the levels of C-, N-, P-, and S-acquiring enzymes and their respective stoichiometries. Our findings revealed that the edaphic patterns of degraded (Degraded) and preserved forest (Native) environments are distinct, with a clear predominance of enzymatic activities in "Native" soils. Preserved environments better maintain potassium (K+) stocks, total organic carbon, and microbial biomass, in addition to improving water infiltration and soil moisture retention. In contrast, degraded environments are associated with increased sodium (Na+), indicating worsening soil salinization. Urease activity was the variable that most contributed to environmental variability, according to multivariate analysis. A proposed structural model showed that changes in the natural landscape significantly (r2 = 0.51, p < 0.05) impacted the overall enzymatic activity in soils. Our structural model provides substantial evidence that higher enzymatic activities indicate better environmental preservation and that among the soil chemical variables, K+, Na+, organic carbon, and microbial biomass had relevant contributions to the model. The information obtained here underscores the importance and validation of agroforestry as a method to mitigate the adverse effects of desertification.

The Brazilian semi-arid region is one of the region’s most facing the effects of climate change, which puts the maintenance of ecosystems and agricultural production at risk. Changes in the use and occupation of edaphoclimatic resources alter atmospheric dynamics and disrupt net energy exchanges between the soil and the atmosphere. Some plant species adapted to the semi-arid region can be promising alternatives for mitigating the effects of climate change, an example of this is the forage palm (Opuntia cochenillifera), which is a xerophytic species due to its morphology and physiology, in addition to showing high tolerance to environments with periods of intense drought. Several studies have been carried out to measure the flows of water, energy and CO₂ in agroecosystems and ecosystems in Brazil and around the world, with the aim of determining whether carbon emissions or sequestration are occurring. However, there is still little research on the dynamics of these flows in cactus pear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate evapotranspiration, energy and CO₂ flows in cactus pear. For this purpose, a micrometereological tower was installed in a cactus production area in São Bento do Una – PE. This tower is equipped with a three-dimensional sonic anemometer and a CO₂ and H₂O analyzer, obtaining values for CO₂ fluxes, net radiation (Rn) and latent heat (LE) and sensible heat (H) fluxes, in addition to evapotranspiration (ET), through the eddy covariance methodology. Water use efficiency (WUE) and cactus cactus productivity were also measured. From the results, it was found that H was higher than LE, which indicates that the more energy was used in air heating. The WUE grew at the same time as net palm productivity. The palm acted most of the time sequestering atmospheric carbon, with an average carbon sequestration of 3.87 t. ha^-1. Due to its great suitability for soil types and its high resistance to water stress, the palm stands out as an important production option in the range of forage plants and an alternative under climate change scenarios in view of its preservation and its imminent integration potential to the market for carbon credits and environmental services provided to society.

The sheet flow hydraulics study is crucial for understanding the hydrologic and water erosion processes on the atmosphere-soil interface. This background is essential to plan and establish soil and water practices. To achieve this understanding, was investigated the hydraulic resistance generated by grass, litter, Palm, and agroforestry, as well as bare soil, and hydraulically observed who dominates this surface flow. It used a database from the Soil Conservation Engineering Laboratory/UFRPE with laminar sheet flow and low Reynolds numbers. A soil surface under palm forage had occurred a soil surface crust that reduced the soil water infiltration and increased the water discharge. The linear regression study between hydraulic resistance and Froude number in laminar flow with Reynolds number until 100 under semiarid crops confirms that the hydraulic resistance was governed by Froude number. The agroforestry and litter layer showed the highest hydraulic resistance permitting better water infiltration on soil and flow retard, showing their importance as a strategy to mitigate the water erosion processes in semiarid environments.

Environmental factors such as vegetation and soil types vary between regions depending on temperature, precipitation and lithology, thus constituting chemically different waters. The objective was to verify the space-time variability and to find relationships between the physicochemical properties of the soil and the quality of the water. The research was carried out in the state of Paraíba, in municipalities that are part of the Água Doce Program (PAD), an initiative of the Federal Government, which were, Amparo, Boa Vista, Caraúbas, Cubati, São João do Cariri, Soledade and Tenório, in the years 2018 to 2020, with two annual collections, corresponding to dry and rainy periods. Soil collection was performed only once in these municipalities. The variables analyzed in the water were electrical conductivity, pH, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, total hardness, sodium, potassium, total iron, alkalinity in carbonates, alkalinity in bicarbonates, total alkalinity, sulfate, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, Langelier saturation index, and total dissolved solids. In the soil, pH, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sand, silt and clay fractions were analyzed. Data were submitted to multivariate statistical analysis. A more expressive variation of electrical conductivity, sulfate and sodium was observed between the years studied, the municipalities of Boa Vista and Soledade presented high levels of electrical conductivity, sodium, chloride and total dissolved solids, far above the other municipalities, showing variability in space and over time of factors that influence water quality. As for the correlation of soil and water physical-chemical properties, there was a strong correlation between the total iron in the water and the potassium and pH of the soil, the fraction of sand showing a correlation only with the pH of the water. In view of this, it is likely that the water quality evaluated in these environments is more influenced by the lithology of the region than by the physical-chemical characteristics of the soil.

The Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the most important cultivated species of the Fabaceae family, mainly for family farmers in developing countries, as it is an important source of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. However, in order to be successful in its production, it is necessary to use seeds with good sanitary quality, since seeds are vehicles for the dissemination of phytopathogens, mainly fungal pathogens, which can directly cause damage to seeds and seedlings, and the its consumption can affect human health. For this reason, it is essential to pre-treat the seeds for planting or during storage. In this sense, there are efforts to search for alternative treatments for these seeds that avoid the use of synthetic chemicals and that are efficient, safe and cheap. Thus, he objective of this work is to evaluate management strategies and alternatives for controlling pathogens in common bean seeds, as well as the potential of vegetable powders in the management of fungal pathogens in common bean creole seeds during storage. To analyze management strategies and alternatives for controlling pathogens in seeds, a narrative literature review was carried out with a selection of 17 scientific articles. Among the seed treatments analyzed in these articles, synthetic chemicals are the most efficient, but represent risks and, therefore, alternative solutions for seed treatment have been explored in physical, natural and biological control. Of the articles studied, 35.29% used biological control, 17.65% used control with natural agents, 11.76% used physical control and the others corresponded to 5.88% each. About 72.22% of the publications are related to the control of fungal pathogens, 16.67% to the control of bacteria and only 11.11% to the control of viruses. Of these treatments, 94.12% were effective and only 5.88% were unsuccessful in controlling. In order to evaluate the effect of vegetable powders for the control of fungal pathogens in creole common bean seeds during storage, studies were carried out at the UFAPE Laboratory of Phytopathology with creole seeds of coffee bean, mulatto bean, milk bean and common bean-black belonging to family farmers in the municipality of São João. The samples were collected, evaluated for their sanitary and physiological quality and stored for 180 days, with different treatments: powdered mastic leaves, mulungu, catingueira, commercial fungicide and untreated (control). At 90 and 180 days, they had their sanitary and physiological quality evaluated again. Data were subjected to analysis of variance by Tukey's test at 5% probability. For the qualitative factors, they were submitted to the analysis of comparison of means and the quantitative ones to the analysis of linear regression, in addition to the analysis of principal components (PCA). There was an increase in water content in the four varieties during storage. There was a reduction in the incidence of Penicillium spp. in mulatinho and black bean seeds stored with mulungu powders. Mulungu, catingueira and mastic powders had a fungicidal effect on Aspergillus spp. in coffee bean, mulatinho and milk seeds. Vegetable powders were not efficient in controlling Botrytis sp. and did not influence the reduction in the incidence of Colletotrichum spp., Rhizoctonia sp. and Phomopsis sp. Aroeira, mulungu and catingueira powders positively influenced some varieties in CPA, MVR, MVPA, MSR and MSPA. When analyzing all the data simultaneously, it was verified that there was a difference between the landraces varieties in terms of sanitary and physiological quality, but there was no difference between the seeds treated with vegetable powders, those treated with fungicide and those not treated. Therefore, more studies are needed.

The growing demand for higher agricultural outputs has led to heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. To address this issue, there is a pressing need for sustainable fertilizer alternatives to significantly reduce the use of these harmful substances. Biochar-based bacterial inoculants have the potential to sustain plant growth and serve as effective replacements for commercial materials. We hypothesized that the application of biochar and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) would increase the bean production and alter the soil’s chemical and biological properties. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a experiment using biochar from bean husk (BBH) and grape fermentation waste (BGF) with Rhizobium (RHI), Bradyrhizobium (BRA) e Burkholderia (PRB) compared to peat. Our findings revealed that BGF+PRB, BBH+PRB and BBH+RHI increase the bean growth. BGF + BRA was better for root growth, with increases of four times compared to the absolute control and 2.7 times higher than the peat. The application of PGPR in combination with biochar resulted in pH changes and levels of P, K⁺ and Na⁺ in the soil. The application of biochar and PGPR resulted in distinct clustering patterns, indicating an overall improvement in bean growth, productivity and soil quality that are distributed in the same quadrant as most of the variables, far from the control treatments and the material commonly used (peat) as a vehicle for inoculation of these bacteria. Overall, our study provides important insights into the potential use of biochar as inoculation vehicle of PGPR and is considered an ecologically sustainable alternative, as it solves the problem of reuse of waste and provides a destination that brings benefits for bean crop and soil properties

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is a crop with high adaptability to regions of high temperatures, low rainfall and abundant light, with aptitude for arid and semi-arid regions. One of the alternatives to considerably reduce the impacts caused by chemical fertilization is the use of organic compounds. Vermicomposting has received special attention from researchers as it is an efficient method of transforming agro-industrial waste into sustainable and microbiologically enriched fertilizers. The research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the development and the physiological quality of sesame seeds submitted to doses of vermicompost produced with agro-industrial waste aiming to replace the dosage of phosphorus necessary for the culture. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco - UFAPE in a completely randomized experimental design in a factorial scheme of (2x4)+2, with 2 cultivars (BRS Anahí and Trebol) x 4 doses of humus based on the need for P₂O (0% , 50%, 100% and 150%) + two additional controls (NPK). Agronomic and physiological parameters were evaluated throughout the crop cycle. After harvesting, the seeds were evaluated for physiological quality. For the growth of sesame cultivars, it is observed that there was no significant effect for interaction between the doses of earthworm humus and sesame cultivars. In general, when analyzing the effect of fertilization regardless of the cultivar tested, the dose of earthworm humus of 100% of the phosphorus requirement provided the best results. Comparing the effect of the doses of earthworm humus applied at concentrations of 50, 100 and 150% with the additional control (NPK) did not show significant effects for most parameters. Analyzing the effect of the doses of earthworm humus and the tested cultivars, it was verified that there was a significant effect on the quality of the seeds and the development of the culture. The dose of 100% earthworm humus to replace the need for P2O can be recommended for the production of sesame seeds of the BRS Anahí and Trebol cultivars.

The main pest that affects stored corn is Sitophilus zeamais, causing significant losses in production. The most used method to control this pest is the use of synthetic insecticides, which brings a series of factors that harm the health of man and the environment, with that the application of botanical insecticides has gained worldwide emphasis. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the chemical composition of the hydrosol of 04 caatinga species and its insecticidal and repellent effect in the control of S. zeamais. Leaves of the species, Engl brasiliensis, Senna sp, M. peruiferum Lf and C. argyrophyllus Kunth were collected and submitted to the hydrodistillation process. The chemical characterization of the hydrolates was performed in a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer. The fumigating effect of the hydrolates was carried out in fumigation chambers with a capacity of 0.5L, where 10 unsexed S. zeamais adults were confined in 20g of corn. The ingestion and contact mortality test was carried out in Petri dishes (90 × 15 mm) containing 20g of dry and clean corn kernels and 10 unsexed S. zeamais adults. The repellent effect of hydrolates was performed using acrylic arenas, containing 20g of untreated corn and treated with 4 concentrations of hydrolates (100, 200, 300 and 400µL/L of air). 10 adult insects of S. zeamais were placed in the center of the arena and after 48h the repellency index was determined by the formula IR=2T/(T + C). None of the hydrolates showed insecticidal action against S. zeamais, with no significant mortality in the tests carried out. All hydrolates were repellent in at least one of the concentrations, with S. brasiliensis Engl. and Senna sp. Repellent action at a concentration of 200µL, M. peruiferum Lf repellent at a concentration of 300 µL and C. argyrophyllus Kunth repellent with the use of 100 µL of the hydrolate. zeamais, however they can be used in the behavioral management of this insect.

The production of grapes in regions of altitude has different characteristics from those grown in other regions of the country. In the Agreste Meridional region of Pernambuco, the municipalities of Brejão and Garanhuns have climatic aptitude for the cultivation of wine vines. However, the soils in this region are generally acidic, with low natural fertility and low water retention capacity, making it necessary to adopt management practices that reduce acidity and increase water retention in these soils. In this sense, research has been using biochar as a soil conditioner. From the above, the objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of biochar on the physical and chemical attributes of the soil, as well as on the production of wine grape varieties cultivated in the municipality of Garanhuns (PE). The work was carried out under field conditions, at the Vale das Colinas winery, in Garanhuns, PE. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effect of biochar on the physical and chemical attributes of the soil, as well as on the production of wine grape varieties cultivated in the municipality of Garanhuns (PE). The work was carried out under field conditions, at the Vale das Colinas winery, in Garanhuns, PE. The biochar was produced from cashew wood, through the pyrolysis process. The experiment consisted of three cultivated areas with the varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Muscat, and four doses of biochar: 0, 5, 10 and 20 t ha^-1, being evaluated two cycles. After harvesting the vines, soil samples were collected to assess the chemical and physical attributes of the soil. In addition to soil attributes, the following variables were evaluated in the vines: sprouting (BRO), fertility (FER), number of bunches (N.CA), productivity (PRO) and the physical characteristics of bunches and berries, and in fruits chemical characteristics were also evaluated. Regarding the chemical attributes of the soil, it was verified, for the first cycle of the three grape varieties, an increase in the pH and in the availability of nutrients (P, K, TOC, S and Na). Regarding the physical attributes, there was a reduction in soil bulk density and an increase in porosity between doses of 5 and 10 t ha_1. The positive influence of biochar on soil attributes promoted an increase in crop productivity, with the exception of the Muscat variety. In the second cycle, it was observed that the biochar doses raised the pH above 7.0, which may have contributed to the reduction of grapevine productivity. In general, the biochar doses of 5 and 10 t ha-1 were the ones that presented the best results in terms of soil attributes and grapevine productivity.

Physiological conditioning consists of a controlled hydration of the seeds over a certain time, allowing the initiation of metabolic processes for germination. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of conditioning and physiological behavior with PEG 6000 and NaCl on cowpea seeds. The research was carried out at the Laboratory of Analysis of Seeds and Plants, of the Federal University of Agreste of Pernambuco, in Garanhuns - PE, with seeds of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Two experiments were installed, the first was using PEG 6000 and the second with NaCl. A completely randomized design was used in a 3x4 factorial scheme (3 cultivars and 4 treatments) with four replications of 25 seeds each. The conditioning methods tested were: hydropriming (H₂O) and osmopriming in PEG 6000 and NaCl solutions at concentrations -0.4MPa; -0.8MPa and -1.2MPa. Emergence test, emergence speed index, seedling performance (length of shoot and root, fresh mass of shoot and root and dry mass of shoot and root), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids and a/b ratio), relative water content, electrolyte extravasation and leaf area index. In the experiment with PEG, it was possible to observe that, in general, the effects of conditioning in the seeds of the three cultivars of cowpea showed tolerance to initial water stress, but the seeds of the Paulistinha cultivar had higher seedling performance when osmoconditioned, showing with better physiological potential. In the experiment with NaCl, when osmoconditioned, the seeds of the Paulistinha and Corujinha cultivars showed greater tolerance to the initial saline stress in the evaluated parameters, evidencing that the germination potential of cowpea is little changed even in initial conditions of saline stress.

The term biochar is conceptualized from the knowledge of the Terras Pretas dos Índios. It is a solid material rich in carbon, which has been used as a soil conditioner, aiming to improve its characteristics. The use of sewage sludge for the production of biochar has been a viable alternative to manage this residue. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of sewage sludge biochar on chemical and physical soil characteristics and bean productivity. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, in a randomized block design (CBD), using eight treatments, which consisted of four doses of biochar (0, 10, 20 and 40 t ha ¹), in the presence or absence of a chicken manure dose (6 t ha¹), with four replications. Two soils were used in the experiment classified as Argissolo Vermelho Amarelo and Neossolo Regolitico. The effects of treatments on soils were evaluated through chemical analysis (pH, P, K, organic carbon, N and (C/N), soil physical (soil density, total porosity, field capacity, wilting point) and available water), evapotranspiration (ET) and water use efficiency (EUA) were also evaluated by the relationship between crop productivity and evapotranspiration (ET). There was a significant effect of biochar in combination with chicken manure on soil pH, in addition, it provided an increase in phosphorus availability in both soils. No changes were observed in the physical characteristics of the soil in any treatment, for the Red Yellow Argisol and Regolithic Neosol. However, there was an increase in productivity for the Red Yellow Argisol compared to the control, while for the Regolitico Neosol, no difference in productivity was observed for all treatments. The results indicate a great potential for the application of BLE to improve soil qualities and promote improvements in chemical and physical characteristics, and bean productivity. However, it can be said that BLE has different effects depending on the soil in which it is applied, contributing to the improvement of agricultural soil fertility.

Biochar can be a great ally in the recovery of soils affected by salts, because it regulates the chemical and physical properties, besides providing recalcitrant organic matter. However, it is necessary to be cautious in its application; high doses of biochar can be harmful to soils, releasing large amounts of salts to the soil, and biochars are usually alkaline, which makes their application in saline soils unfeasible, and chemical modification can be an alternative to reduce this alkalinity. Arid and semi-arid regions, such as the Northeast region of Brazil, present great problems related to soil salinity. This occurs due to low precipitation and high evaporation, which results in the accumulation of soluble salts (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+) and an increase of exchangeable sodium in the superficial layers because they cannot be leached. The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical modification of chicken manure biochar and its effects on the remediation of salt-affected soils. The experimental design was entirely randomized, in a factorial scheme [(3 x 4) + 1] being the three treatments composed by soil + biochar without modification (SBSM), soil + biochar modified with hydrogen peroxide at 30% W/V (SBPH), soil + biochar modified with phosphoric acid at a concentration of 1 mol L-1 (SBAF), both with 4 doses, + control soil (ST), distributed in 4 repetitions. The biochar doses applied were equivalent to 5, 10, 15 and 20 Mg ha-1. These treatments were incubated in 1 dm3 plastic bags, and always irrigated with 80% of the field capacity, and then analyzed at 30 and 60 days. The chemical modification was efficient in reducing the alkalinity of the biochar, increasing ASE and porosity. The unmodified biochar potentiated soil salinity, while the modified biochar reduced salinity impacts. In the short term, the biochars were not able to provide organic carbon to the soil, and microbial activity showed greater responses to the modified ones in 60 days.

The intercropping system is a traditional agricultural practice adopted by family farmers in the Brazilian semiarid region, but it has not yet been sufficiently studied from an agronomic and economic point of view to spread its use. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the agronomic and economic performance of an intercropping between forage cactus and perennial cotton under different planting spacings in the Agreste region of Pernambuco. The experiment was implemented in an experimental field located in the municipality of Garanhuns, Pernambuco, Brazil. The experiment was carried out in a factorial scheme (2 x 3), including two cultivation systems (intercropping and monoculture) and three planting spacings (2.0 x 0.5 m, 2.5 x 0.5 m and 3.0 x 0.5 m) The experimental design used was a randomized block design with three replications. The growth, yield and production components and economic analysis of crops were evaluated. The number of vegetative branches (NRV) and plant height (H) of the perennial cotton plant are not affected by the cropping systems (intercropping and monoculture) when cultivated in the planting spacing adopted in the experiment. However, vegetative mass, woody mass, vegetative dry mass, vegetative mass productivity and woody biomass productivity are affected by the cultivation system. The forage cactus cultivated in intercropping system and in monoculture, even under different planting spacings, does not influence its growth expressed in terms of plant height, number of cladodes, cladode length and cladode thickness. perennial show better agronomic and economic performance when cultivated in an intercropped system using the 2.0 x 05 m or 2.5 x 0.5 m spacing, that is, more denser. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability, using the Assistat 7.7 software.

The sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam, has a high capacity to exploit soil fertility, is an exhausting crop, requiring the use of a fertilization program to avoid reduced productivity, mainly based on organic fertilization. Thus, the work aimed to verify the effect of organic compost and dairy residue on sweet potato production. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (FRUPE). The evaluations were carried out in the field and at CENLAG (FRUPE Research Support Laboratory Center). The treatments were distributed in completely randomized blocks, in a factorial scheme (4 x 2) + 1, with four doses of milk residue, in the absence and presence of organic compost plus the additional control, in three repetitions. The application of organic compost corresponded to 40 t ha-1 . The milk residue was applied with doses corresponding to 0, 5, 10 and 15 m³ ha-1 via leaf. The application was divided in three times, applied 1/3 every 15 days, as soon as the sweet potato plants reached 35 days after sprouting. The variables analyzed were: starch content; Grey; dry matter; number of tubers per useful parcel; number of commercial tubers; number of non-commercial tubers; weight of commercial tubers per usable parcel, weight of non-commercial tubers per usable parcel; average weight of commercial and non-commercial tubers; average tuber weight; production by useful portion; production of tubers per plant; production of commercial tubers per plant; production of non-commercial tubers per plant; total tuber productivity; productivity of commercial tubers. The data were submitted to analysis of variance. The averages obtained from the organic compound were compared to each other at 5% by the Tukey test, in relation to the milk residue doses, they were analyzed by means of the polynomial regression analysis. Those from alternative treatments and mineral fertilization, were compared to 5% probability by Dunnett's test. The analyzes were performed using the SAEG Version 9.1 statistical program. Soil calcium content and base saturation adjusted to the polynomial regression model as a function of dairy residue doses in the absence of organic compost, the average weight of commercial tubers variable, obtained the best result in the treatment with the presence of organic compost and dose of 5 m³ of dairy waste per hectare. In the presence of organic compost, sweet potatoes generated a greater amount of ash, with respect to the cation exchange capacity, phosphorus and organic matter showed better results in the absence of organic compost, organic matter, was higher in the dosage of organic compost and 5 m³ of dairy residue in relation to the portion that received mineral fertilizer. It is concluded that the application of dairy residue did not influence the production of sweet potatoes, sweet potatoes did not respond to the application of organic compost, mineral fertilization and organic fertilization promoted the same response to sweet potato cultivation.

Determining the need for water in the vine culture is crucial to obtain a satisfactory productive development, as it directly interferes with the final product, in addition to optimizing the use of water resources required by the culture. In this sense, the objective of the work was to analyze the values of the evapotranspiration of the grape culture for the elaboration of fine wines, as well as the values of the cultivation coefficient and the efficiency of water use for the climatic conditions of the Agreste Meridional region of Pernambuco , also evaluating the phenological, physical, physical-chemical, chemical and productive characteristics. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco (IPA), located in the municipality of Brejão-PE, during two productive harvests (2018 and 2019). The grape varieties studied were: Muscat Petit Grain, Merlot Noir, Carbenet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Pinor Noir, Malbec, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Chardonnay. In the first chapter, the values of phenology, degree-days, physical analysis, physical-chemical analysis and chemical analysis of the fruits were determined. In the second chapter, evapotranspiration (ET), cultivation coefficient (Kc) and water use efficiency (WUE) values were evaluated using three varieties (Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat Petit Grain). The number of days ranged from 125 (Muscat Petit Grain, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc) to 139 (Merlot Noir, Petit Verdot and Pinot Noir) and the cumulative day grades from 1,180 to 1,322, for the 2018 harvest. number of days ranged from 128 (Muscat Petit Grain) to 141 (Merlot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Malbec) and the accumulated day degrees from 1,244 to 1,388. The Malbec and Sauvignon varieties showed higher production and productivity, as well as a greater number of bunches. The values of soluble solids, pH and acidity were acceptable for the two crops studied, only for the Viognier varieties the value of acidity was above the recommended. With the results found it is possible to observe that the Muscat Petit Grain, Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah varieties performed well for the edaphoclimatic conditions in the municipality of Brejão-PE, and can be considered a profitable and productive activity. The period of greatest water need for the crop was during the pruning phases to the beginning of maturation. In the 2018 harvest, the average Kc values were 1.04; 0.91 and 1.01 for Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Muscat Petit Grain, respectively. In the 2019 harvest for the same varieties, the average values were 0.73; 0.73 and 0.69. The Malbec variety showed the highest water use efficiency values in the two analyzed harvests,therefore, it is one of the most recommended varieties for the studied edaphoclimatic conditions.

Land use changes bring about alterations in the way in which the biophysical attributes of the soil are manipulated and by the actions underlying those manipulations. The Caatinga biome is the predominant ecosystem in the Northeast region, extending throughout the semiarid region. In this region, Caatinga is replaced by grasslands, which causes the loss of organic carbon in the soil. This loss of carbon can occur through the process of the soil respiration by the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. Biochar is a carbon rich product with potential to improve soil physical properties, which can have effect in the soil respiration. Thus, the present work had the following objectives: a) to evaluate and compare soil respiration in Caatinga and pasture areas; b) to determine the variables (soil moisture and temperature) that influence this process and c: to evaluate the effect of biochar addition on soil respiration in Caatinga and pasture areas. The work was realized in two experiments: one in field and another in laboratory. The activities of field were were carried out in two areas, one at the Buenos Aires Farm, Preserved Caatinga (CP), and the other located at Farm Lagoinha, cultivated with degraded pasture (PD). Both properties are located in the Municipality of Serra Talhada - PE, a micro-region of the Pajeú Valley. In order to monitor soil respiration (Rs) in the Caatinga and pasture areas, an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA, model LI-6400-09) was used, the measurements were divided into three periods according to the precipitation distribution (S), transition period (T) and rainy season (U). Soil respiration (Rs) was higher in the Caatinga during dry and transitional periods, and in the humid (U) period, Rs was statistically similar in the preserved Caatinga (CP) and degraded pasture (PD). In the wettest period, the highest values of Rs occurred, being 4.15 μmol m-2 s-1 in the Caatinga (UCP) and 3.10 μmol m-2 s-1 in the pasture (UPD). In the relation between Rs and soil temperature, it was observed that in the Caatinga a negative linear relationship was observed, in the relation between Rs and soil moisture in the Caatinga, it was linear positive and significant, indicating that with the increase of soil moisture, an increase in Rs. The soil used in experiment 2 was collected from the superficial layer (0-20 cm) at the Riacho do Papagaio farm, in the municipality of São João - PE. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, being arranged in a double factorial design with a total of 4 treatments (2x2), being 2 types of soil and 2 doses of biochar applied (0 and 20 t ha-1). Soil respiration (Rs) in Caatinga areas without biochar (C) ranged from -1.09 to 12.86 μmol m-2 s-1, while biochar ranged from -0.09 to 9.05 μmol m-2 s-1, for the grazing area without biochar at Rs ranged from 0.03 to 1.43 μmol m-2 s-1 and with biochar ranged from -0.09 to 5.54 μmol m-2 s-1. It was observed that the treatments where biochar were added had higher values of soil moisture and organic carbon, however the biochar had no effect on Rs. Thus, the practice of adding biochar to the sandy soils of the semi-arid region has the potential to mitigate land-use and climate changes.

The use of organic fertilizers in the production system has contributed significantly to the improvement of soil management, because they act in the physical, chemical and biological essential for crop production. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of application of manure, bio- fertilizer and inoculation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and mineral fertilizers in the cultivation of cowpea. The study was conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco / Academic Unit of Garanhuns (UFRPE / UAG). The experimental design was a randomized block consisting of nine treatments and three replications. The treatments were: T - absolute control; E - manure; B - biofertilizers; I - inoculant; EI - manure + inoculant; BI - biofertilizers + inoculant; EB - manure + biofertilizers; EBI – manure + biofertilizer inoculant; AM - mineral fertilizer. The following variables were evaluated: number of days to flowering (NDF), plant height (ALTC), number of leaves per plant (NFP), leaf area (AF), dry biomass of the aerial part (SDW), pod length (CV) , number of pods per plant (NVP), number of seeds per pod (NGP), number of grains per plant (NGP), weight of 100 grains (P100G), final stand (EF) and grain yield. The cultivation of cowpea should be performed with the use of mineral fertilizers to achieve high productivity. The cow manure and its association with biofertilizer and inoculant must be employed in the cultivation of Cowpea when it is absent mineral fertilization.

Many important processes occurring in ecosystems, such as photosynthesis and productivity of vegetation, are associated with the exchange of CO2, water and energy. Accurate measurement of these fluxes are therefore fundamental to a broad understanding of the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. However, no such study was conducted under the conditions of the Agreste of Pernambuco, with the bean crop. Given the above, this study aimed to quantify the water, energy and CO2 fluxes in soil cultivated with bean under rainfed conditions. The study was conducted in a bean producing area of the city of São João, where were installed sensors to measure these fluxes, using the energy balance method - eddy covariance (energy and CO2 fluxes) and soil water balance method (water fluxes) in the period from 31/05/2013 to 08/20/2013. In addition to these measurements were also measured height, leaf area index (LAI) and the bean yield. Regarding the components of the water balance was found that the flow of water at a depth of 35 cm (deep drainage and/or capillarity rise) had very low values. It was also observed that the periods of high rainfall resulted in higher water storage in soil and increased evapotranspiration (ET). The ET obtained by water balance method had a total and average values of 146.0 mm and 1.78 mm d-1, respectively. The bean presented its highest water consumption during the reproductive period (29/06/2013 to 29/07/2013), with an average value of 2.55 mm d-1. Regarding the energy fluxes, it was found that the latent heat flux (LE) consumed on average 78.46% of the radiation (Rn). The ET, measured by the eddy covariance method, was total value of 179.3 mm, with a mean value of 2.2 mm d-1. Bean yield was 2,050 kg ha-1, with water use efficiency of 1.16 kg m-3. Regarding the CO2 fluxes, it was observed that the same varied from -11.21 to -0.75 mmol m-2 s-1, indicating the occurrence of carbon sequestration by the crop. On average, bean sequestered 54 kg C ha-1 per day, the equivalent to 3.3 t C ha-1 during the trial period.

Fusarium species cause important diseases on maize such as stalk-rot and ear-rot. Fungi in the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex (GFSC) are among the causal agents of these diseases, such as F. proliferatum, F. subglutinans, F. temperatum and F. verticillioides. The present study aimed to characterize the diversity of Fusarium isolates from different maize growing areas in Brazil. Morphological characters and sequences of fragments of the gene that encodes the translation elongation factor (tef1) were used to characterize the isolates. Fifty isolates obtained from maize kernels in different growing areas in Brazil were used. In the morphological characterization the isolates showed variation regarding the colony color and mycelial growth. The colony color varied from salmon to violet and the average diameter of the colonies at three days varied from 2.83 cm to 4.07 cm. The majority of isolates showed long chains of conidia and monophialides. A few isolates showed short chains, false heads and polyphialides. None of the isolates formed chlamydospore. Considering the morphological characterization the isolates were identified as F. proliferatum (4 isolates) and F. verticillioides (46 isolates). In the molecular characterization a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was generated from the sequenced fragments of the tef1 gene. From 50 isolates analyzed, 47 grouped together with reference isolates of F. verticillioides forming a sister group to F. musae. Two isolates grouped close to F. fujikuroi and one isolate grouped close to F. proliferatum. Ten haplotypes were identified within the F. verticillioides isolates from Brazil, with six haplotypes being new to the species. The cultural and morphological characters could not be grouped according with the phylogenetic sub-groups and haplotypes. The phylogenetic groups also did not reflect the geographical localization of isolates. The data collected in this study show that F. verticillioides is the dominant species and is widely distributed in the maize growing regions of Brazil, with high genetic diversity in the population.