Double cropping soybean after small grain harvest does not always allow sufficient canopy growth to maximize photosynthesis and seed yield. This is due to a shorter growing season and moisture deficits common to the Mid-Atlantic USA. Leaf area index (LAI) is the ratio of unit leaf area of a crop to unit ground area and is a reliable indicator of leaf area development and crop biomass. An LAI of 3.5 to 4.0 by flowering is required to maximize yield potential. Soybean LAI will vary within and between fields due to soil differences, cultivar selection, and other cultural practices. Site-specific management strategies such as varying plant population may be used to manipulate LAI and increase yield in leaf area-limited systems. Furthermore, methods to remotely sense leaf area are in order to facilitate such management strategies in large fields. The objectives of this research were to: i) determine the effect of plant population density on soybean LAI and yield; ii) determine the relationship between LAI measured at different reproductive stages and yield; iii) investigate and validate relationships between LAI and yield for two cultivars in three crop rotations across varying soil moisture regimes; iv) validate relationships found in previous work between soybean LAI and yield across soil moisture regimes in grower fields; and v) determine if normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values obtained from aerial infrared images can be used to estimate LAI and soybean yield variability. Increasing plant population increased LAI for cultivars at Suffolk in 2000 and 2001, but LAI increased with plant populations on soils with lower plant available water holding capacity (PAWHC) at Port Royal in 2001. In 2000 at Suffolk, seed yield increased quadratically with increasing population and cultivar did not affect the response. In 2001, no relationship occurred between yield and plant population at either Suffolk or Port Royal, but the relationship of yield and LAI depended on soybean development stage at both sites. However, this relationship was not consistent between sites or years. In another study, crop rotation affected LAI and yield one out of two years. However, LAI and yield in both study years were negatively impacted on soil types with lower PAWHC. Where significant, a linear relationship was observed between yield and LAI for all soil types. Studies on grower fields showed similar linear relationships between yield and LAI. Remote sensing techniques showed promise for estimation of LAI and yield. When obtained at an appropriate development stage, vegetation indices correlated to both LAI and yield, and were observed to be effective as a predictor of LAI until plants achieved LAI levels of 3.5 to 4.0. / Master of Science

The objective of this research was to isolate genes encoding isoforms of the enzyme D-myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase (MIPS, E.C. 5.5.1.4) from soybean and to characterize their expression, especially with respect to their involvement in phytic acid biosynthesis. A MIPS-homologous cDNA, designated GmMIPS1, was isolated via PCR using total RNA from developing seeds. Southern blot analysis and examination of MIPS-homologous soybean EST sequences suggested that GmMIPS1 is part of a multigene family of at least four similar members. The sequences of promoter and genomic regions of GmMIPS1 and GmMIPS2 revealed a high degree of sequence conservation. Northern and western blot analyses showed that MIPS transcript and protein are abundantly expressed early in seed development. Immunolocalization of MIPS protein in developing seeds confirmed expression of MIPS early in seed development and correlated MIPS protein accumulation in soybean seed tissue with tissues in which phytic acid is known to accumulate. The promoter region of GmMIPS1 was isolated and analyzed for possible seed-specificity using promoter:GUS fusions. Two GmMIPS1 promoter fragments were capable of conferring GUS expression when bombarded directly into developing soybean seeds. However, preliminary bombardment experiments into soybean cell suspension culture indicated that both promoter fragments drove expression of GUS in undifferentiated tissue, indicating a potential lack of seed-specificity. / Master of Science

Estimated at approximately $43 billion annually, the cultivated soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr., is the second most valuable crop in the United States. Soybeans account for 57% of the world oil-seed production and are utilized as a protein source in products such as animal feed. The value of a soybean crop, measured in seed quality and quantity, is negatively affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. This research is focused on resistance to biotic disease stress in soybean. In particular, we are working on the Phytophthora soja (P. sojae) and Soybean Mosaic Virus (SMV) systems. For each of these diseases, we are working to develop superior soybean germplasm that is resistant to the devastating economic impacts of pathogens. The majority of this research is focused on screening for novel sources of P. sojae resistance with core effectors to identify resistance genes (R-genes) that will be durable under field conditions. Four segregating populations and two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations have been screened with core effectors. Effector-based screening methods were combined with pathogen-based phenotyping in the form of a mycelium-based trifoliate screening assay. One RIL population has been screened with virulent P. sojae mycelium. Disease phenotyping has generated a preliminary genetic map for resistance in soybean accession PI408132. The identification of novel R-genes will allow for stacking of resistance loci into elite G. max cultivars. The second project covered in this dissertation describes the validation of the SMV resistance gene Rsv3. Utilizing a combination of transient expression and homology modeling; we provide evidence that Glyma14g38533 encodes Rsv3. / Ph. D. / Estimated at approximately $43 billion annually, the cultivated soybean <i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merr., is the second most valuable crop in the United States. Soybeans account for 57% of the world oil-seed production and are utilized as a protein source in products such as animal feed. The value of a soybean crop, measured in seed quality and quantity, is negatively affected by pathogens and other stressors. This research is focused on resistance to pathogen disease stress in soybean. In particular, we are working on the <i>Phytophthora soja</i> (<i>P. sojae</i>) and <i>Soybean Mosaic Virus</i> (SMV) systems. For each of these diseases, we are working to develop superior soybean lines that are resistant to the devastating economic impacts of these pathogens. The majority of this research is focused on screening for new sources of <i>P. sojae</i> resistance, using certain pathogen virulence proteins called core effectors, to identify resistance genes (<i>R</i>-genes) that will be durable under field conditions. Four segregating populations and two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations have been screened with core effectors. Effector-based screening methods were combined with pathogen-based phenotyping in the form of an assay that involved the use of <i>P. sojae</i> to infect detached soybean leaves. One RIL population has been screened with virulent <i>P. sojae</i>. Disease screening has generated a preliminary genetic map for resistance in soybean accession PI408132. The identification of novel <i>R</i>-genes will allow for stacking of resistance genes into elite <i>G. max</i> cultivars that can be grown by farmers. The second project covered in this dissertation describes the validation of the SMV resistance gene <i>Rsv3</i>. Utilizing a combination of a molecular assay and protein prediction software; we provide evidence that the soybean gene Glyma14g38533 encodes <i>Rsv3</i>.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(農学) / 甲第21835号 / 農博第2348号 / 新制||農||1068(附属図書館) / 学位論文||H31||N5207(農学部図書室) / 京都大学大学院農学研究科農学専攻 / (主査)教授 白岩 立彦, 教授 稲村 達也, 准教授 田中 朋之 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

A soja é uma cultura de importância econômica fundamental e o Brasil está entre os principais produtores mundiais. Nos programas de melhoramento, entre os métodos usados para escolha de genitores estão os cruzamentos dialélicos, em que todos os genitores são cruzados entre si, dois a dois. O uso desta metodologia tem sido eficiente na busca por genótipos superiores. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de cruzamentos de soja em termos de precocidade e produtividade(PG), por meio de estimativas de heterose e das capacidades geral (CGC) e específica(CEC) de combinação e, também, estimar a reação dos cruzamentos ao fungo da ferrugem asiática. Os genitores utilizados no dialelo completo 10x10 foram: 1) USP 233-4201-09; 2) USP 223-2113-09; 3) IAC-17; 4) FT- COMETA; 5) CD 216; 6) FT 81-2706; 7) CB 07-958-B; 8) BMX POTÊNCIA RR; 9) AS 7307 RR; 10) TMG 4011 RR. Foi utilizado o delineamento de blocos em todos os experimentos. Em 2013/14 foi avaliada a geração F2 do dialelo. Os genitores que mais se destacaram com CGC negativas, contribuindo para redução do ciclo (maior precocidade) foram USP 223-4201-09, USP 223-2113-09, TMG 4011 RR e, principalmente, CB 07-958-B com contribuição para redução superior a cinco dias no ciclo. Este genitor também se destacou em relação à heterose per se (heterose de variedades ou genitores = hi ), ao lado dos genitores CD 216 e FT-COMETA. Constatou-se que o genitor CB 07-958-B possui maior concentração de genes dominantes, os quais agem no sentido de tornar os genótipos mais precoces. O genitor que apresentou maior concentração de alelos favoráveis para PG foi 3) IAC-17. O cruzamento com maior destaque para PG foi 1 x 5 = USP 223-4201-09 x CD 216, com média de 5623Kg ha-1. Todos os cruzamentos apresentaram médias de PG superiores ao do melhor genitor. Em 2014/15 (geração F2:3) foram conduzidos dois experimentos com manejos de doenças por fungicidas: um com controle da ferrugem e outras doenças fúngicas, incluindo as doenças de fim de ciclo e outro com apenas o controle de outras doenças fúngicas, excluindo-se a ferrugem. O contraste entre os dois manejos com fungicidas permitiu uma estimativa da tolerância. As estimativas do efeito ferrugem foram significativas para sete e 17 cruzamentos, respectivamente para PG e peso de cem sementes (PCS); os demais cruzamentos foram considerados tolerantes. Foram obtidas as seguintes conclusões: a escolha dos genitores para compor o dialelo foi adequada, uma vez que as análises de capacidade combinatória e da heterose mostraram que eles contribuíram para o aumento da precocidade e da produtividade dos cruzamentos na geração F2, além da maioria dos cruzamentos mostrarem tolerância à ferrugem na geração F2:3; existe variabilidade para o ciclo da cultura, a qual pode ser aproveitada futuramente para selecionar linhagens mais precoces; os cruzamentos mostraram excelente potencial produtivo, com algumas médias superando a produtividade nacional; progressos adicionais para tolerância à ferrugem poderão ser obtidos com a prática de seleção entre e dentro de cruzamentos em gerações mais avançadas. / Soybean is an economicaly important culture worldwide, and Brazil is among the largest world producers. In breeding programs, a very useful method used to choice of parents is the diallel, where all parents are crossed in biparental combinations. The use of this methodology has been effective in generating superior genotypes. This research aimed to evaluate the potential of soybean crosses in terms of earliness and seed yield(PG) by estimating heterosis, general (CGC) and specific (CEC) combining abilities, besides to estimate the reaction of crosses to the fungus of soybean rust. The parents used in the 10x10 complete diallel system were: 1) USP 233-4201-09, 2) USP 223-2113-09, 3) IAC-17, 4) FT-COMETA, 5) CD 216, 6) FT 81-2706, 7) CB 07-958-B, 8) BMX POTENCIA RR, 9) AS 7307 RR, 10) TMG 4011 RR. The randomized complete-block design was used in all experiments. In 2013/14, it was evaluated the F2 generation of the 45 diallel crosses. The parents who stood out with negative estimates of CGC, helping to reduce cycle (higher earliness) were USP 223-4201-09, USP 223-2113-09, TMG 4011 RR and, especially CB 07-958-B with average reduction of more than five days in the cycle. This parent, jointly with CD 216 and FT-COMETA, also stood in relation to heterosis per se (varietal or parental heterosis = hi). It was found that the parent CB 07-958-B has the highest concentration of dominant genes for earliness. The parent with the highest concentration of favorable alleles for PG was 3) IAC-17. The most outstanding cross for PG was 1x5=USP 223-4201-09 CD x 216, averaging 5623Kg ha-1. All crosses showed average PG higher than the best parent. In 2014/15, the F2:3 generation was evaluated through two disease managements with fungicide applications designed to control: a) the rust and other late season leaf diseases (DFC); b) DFC, except rust. The contrast between adjusted means of these two managements with different fungicides allowed an estimation of the tolerance for each genotype. The estimates of rust effect were significants for seven and 17 crosses, respectively to PG and one-hundred seed weight (PCS); the remaining crosses were considered as rust tolerants. The following conclusions were obtained: the choice of parents to compose the diallel was adequate, since the analysis of combining abilities and heterosis showed that they contributed to increase earliness and PG of the crosses in the F2 generation, besides most crosses showed tolerance to rust in the F2:3 generation; there is variability in the crop cycle, which can allow the selection of earlier lines in the future; crosses showed great seed yield potential, with some surpassing the national soybean average; further progress to rust tolerance may be obtained from the practice of selection among and within crosses in later generations.

A demanda por óleos vegetais tem sido crescente, principalmente para utilização como fonte de energia renovável na forma de biodiesel. Somando-se a isso, a podridão vermelha das raízes da soja (PVR), ou síndrome da morte súbita, causada pelo fungo Fusarium solani f.sp. glycines, tornou-se uma doença preocupante para os sojicultores, técnicos e pesquisadores, sendo uma estratégia recomendada a adoção de um sistema de controle integrado em que a utilização de cultivares tolerantes é um componente indispensável. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo verificar a possibilidade de se reunir em uma mesma planta de soja genes para alta produtividade de óleo e para tolerância a PVR. O sistema genético compreendeu um dialelo parcial 7x7, envolvendo sete genitores com alta produtividade de óleo e sete genitores tolerantes a PVR. A maioria dos genitores compreendeu linhagens experimentais desenvolvidas no Setor de Genética Aplicada às Espécies Autógamas (ESALQ/USP). Os experimentos envolveram as plantas F2, na safra 2008/2009 e progênies F2:3, na safra 2009/2010, para avaliação de caracteres agronômicos, do teor de óleo e produtividade de óleo em campo experimental; já a avaliação da reação a PVR foi realizada em progênies F2:4, em casa de vegetação com inoculação artificial do patógeno, por meio de uma escala de notas para a severidade dos sintomas radiculares. Além disso, por meio de marcadores microssatélites fez-se um estudo de genética de associação entre os marcadores e os caracteres reação a PVR e teor de óleo em três populações. Os resultados evidenciaram a existência de variabilidade nos genitores e nas progênies para todos os caracteres avaliados. O genitor com a maior capacidade geral de combinação e média de teor de óleo foi a cultivar A 7002; por outro lado, os menores valores foram verificados em PI 520733 e IAC 100. Os cruzamentos mais produtivos em óleo foram aqueles que envolveram o genitor A 7002, exceto quando este foi cruzado com IAC 100. Dez cruzamentos (USP 70004 com USP 14-10-38, USP 14-01-20, USP 14-13-16 e M-Soy 8001; USP 14-10-38 com USP 70057 e USP 70080; M-Soy 8001 com USP 70006, USP 70080 e USP 70123; e USP 14-01-20 x USP 70006) destacaram-se por originar a maioria de suas progênies com as melhores características em todos os caracteres, ou seja, apresentaram ciclo precoce ou semi-precoce, altura média, plantas eretas e com valor agronômico bom ou médio, alta produtividade de grãos e de óleo, alto teor de óleo e tolerância a PVR. Nenhum cruzamento originou a maioria de suas progênies com as piores características em todos os caracteres. Teor de óleo apresentou baixa correlação genética com altura da planta na maturidade, acamamento, valor agronômico, produtividade de grãos e reação a PVR. PVR apresentou baixa correlação genética com acamamento, produtividade de grãos, teor de óleo, produtividade de óleo; entretanto, foi possível obter progênies com alta produtividade de grãos e de óleo e tolerantes a PVR. Os marcadores microssatélites mostraram-se polimórficos e, foram associados dois locos SSR ao caráter teor de óleo e outros dois locos ao caráter reação a PVR. / The demand for vegetable oils has increased, mainly because of its use as a renewable energy source like biodiesel. Moreover, the sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybean, caused by the fungus Fusarium solani f.sp. glycines, has become a worrying disease for soybean producers, technicians and researchers, and the adoption of an integrated control system using tolerant cultivars as an essential component has been a recommended strategy. This work aimed to verify the possibility of gathering genes for high oil yield and tolerance to SDS in the same soybean plant. The genetic system comprised a partial diallel 7x7 involving seven parents with high oil yield and seven parents tolerant to SDS. Most of the parents were experimental lines developed at the Sector of Genetics Applied to Self-Pollinated Species (ESALQ/USP). The 2008/2009 trials involved the F2 plants, and the 2009/2010 trials involved the evaluation of F2:3 progenies traits, such as agronomic characters, oil content and oil yield in the experimental field; whereas the analysis of the SDS reaction was tested in F2:4 progenies, in a greenhouse with artificial inoculation of the pathogen through a rating scale for severity of radicular symptoms. Moreover, a study of genetic association among microsatellite markers and the characters reaction to SDS and oil content in three populations was performed. The results showed the existence of variability in parents and progenies for all characters. The parent who had the highest general combining ability and average oil content was the cultivar A 7002; on the other hand, the lowest values were found in PI 520733 and IAC 100. The crosses that originated the best oil content progenies have involved the parent A 7002, except when it was crossed with IAC 100. Ten crosses (USP 70004 with USP 14-10-38, USP 14-01-20, USP 14-13-16 and M-Soy 8001; USP 14-10-38 with USP 70057 and USP 70080; M-Soy 8001 with USP 70006, USP 70080 and USP 70123; USP 14-01-20 x USP 70006) distinguished from the others by originating the majority of their progenies with the best features in all traits, in other words, showed early and semi-early maturity, medium height, upright plants, good or average agronomic value, high grain and oil yield, high oil content and tolerance to SDS. None of the crosses originated the majority of their progeny with the worst characteristics in all traits. Oil content showed low genetic correlation with plant height at maturity, lodging, agronomic value, yield and reaction to SDS. SDS showed a low genetic correlation with lodging, grain yield, oil content, oil yield. However, it was possible to obtain progenies with high grain and oil yield and tolerance to SDS. The microsatellite markers were polymorphic and, moreover, two SSR loci were associated with the character oil content and other two loci to the character SDS reaction.

A soja, o milho e o algodão são as culturas de enorme importância econômica no Brasil, pois juntas ocupam grande parte da área agrícola no país. Além disso, essas culturas são essenciais no fornecimento de alimento e fibras para uma crescente população mundial. Vários fatores podem afetar a produção das mesmas, sendo que os nematoides anualmente causam bilhões de dólares de perdas. As principais técnicas disponíveis para o manejo dos nematoides são rotação de culturas, cultivares resistentes e nematicidas químicos. Apesar de o controle químico ser uma ferramenta viável, há poucos nematicidas disponíveis no Brasil. Como inovação entre os nematicidas, o tioxazafen é uma nova molécula de amplo espectro, desenvolvida para aplicação via tratamento de sementes, para o controle de nematoides nas culturas do milho, da soja e do algodão. Portanto, seu desenvolvimento e posterior registro poderão fornecer uma nova alternativa ao manejo integrado de nematoides aos produtores brasileiros. Assim, esse trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar a eficácia do nematicida tioxazafen, por meio do tratamento de sementes, no controle de Heterodera glycines, Meloidogyne javanica e Pratylenchus brachyurus na soja; M. incognita e P. zeae no milho; e M. incognita no algodão. Além disso, foram avaliados possíveis efeitos fitotóxicos do tratamento de sementes com tioxazafen nas mesmas culturas. Ensaios de casa de vegetação foram conduzidos para avaliação do efeito do tratamento de sementes na população de nematoides, em plantas artificialmente infestadas, bem como na massa de raízes e parte aérea das plantas. O tioxazafen demonstrou supressão substancial na população de nematoides em todas as espécies testadas nas três culturas, com atividade igual ou maior que à referência comercial (imidacloprido + tiodicarbe). As melhores doses observadas foram de 0,250 mg de tioxazafen por semente no controle de M. javanica e de P. brachyurus em soja, 0,500 mg por semente no controle de H. glycines na soja e de M. incognita no milho, 0,750 mg por semente no controle de M. incognita no algodão e 1,000 mg por semente no controle de P. zeae no milho. As plantas tratadas com tioxazafen não exibiram sintomas de fitotoxidez e desenvolveram biomassa similar às plantas não tratadas. Esses resultados mostram o potencial do tioxazafen em se tornar um efetivo tratamento de sementes para controle dos principais nematoides da soja, do milho e do algodão no Brasil,com baixos riscos de fitotoxidez. / Corn, soybean and cotton crops are of great economic importance in Brazil. They together account for the greatest amount of planted area in country. These crops are essential for keeping and providing enough food and fiber for a growing world population. Many factors can affect the production of these crops, and the nematodes are among the most relevant, causing crop losses that reach into billions of dollars. The main techniques available for managing nematodes are crop rotation, resistant cultivars and chemical nematicides. Chemical control is one of the key tools, but there are only a few nematicides available in the Brazilian market. Tioxazafen is a novel nematicide for seed treatment designed to provide consistent broad-spectrum control of nematodes in corn, soy, and cotton. Therefore, the registration of this molecule will provide an important tool to Brazilian farmers that suffer losses due to nematodes. Thereby, the current trials aimed to evaluate the efficacy of tioxazafen through seed treatment to control Heterodera glycines, Meloidogyne javanica and Pratylenchus brachyurus in soybean; M. incognita and P. zeae in corn, and M. incognita in cotton. Furthermore, were evaluated if tioxazafen may cause phytotoxicity in these crops. Greenhouse experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of seed treatments on nematode population densities, and plant shoot and root weight. Tioxazafen demonstrated substantial suppression of nematode population to all species tested in three crops, with activity equaled or exceeded commercial standard nematode seed treatments (imidacloprid + thiodicarb). The best rates observed were 0.250 mg of tioxazafen per seed to control de M. javanica and P. brachyurus in soybean, 0.500 mg per seed to control H. glycines in soybean and M. incognita in corn, 0.750 mg per seed to control M. incognita in cotton and 1.000 mg per seed to control lesion P. zeae in corn. Tioxazafen treated plants also did not exhibit phytotoxicity and grow equally to untreated plants. These results demonstrated the potential of tioxazafen for the control of the main nematodes in soybean, corn and cotton, without the risk of phytotoxicity.

O herbicida 2,4-D é utilizado principalmente para o controle de plantas daninhas em condições de pós-emergência em culturas em que o herbicida é seletivo, bem como no manejo da vegetação em pré-plantio; no entanto, devido a suas características físico-químicas, pode ocasionar danos às culturas vizinhas sensíveis, através dos fenômenos de deriva da molécula durante as pulverizações. Sendo assim, é de fundamental importância o conhecimento técnico dos impactos causados pela deriva do herbicida 2,4-D em culturas sensíveis. No entanto, as informações existentes na literatura para dar suporte às possíveis liberações futuras de culturas resistentes a este herbicida são escassas. Os experimentos foram conduzidos em casa-de-vegetação e laboratório da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" - Universidade de São Paulo - ESALQ/USP. Os objetivos da presente pesquisa foram: (i) avaliar a influência do herbicida 2,4-D no desenvolvimento das culturas do algodão e soja em, diferentes estádios fenológicos, (ii) avaliar os possíveis danos causados pela deriva do herbicida 2,4-D no crescimento e desenvolvimento das culturas de algodão e soja, em diferentes estádios fenológicos, e (iii) observar através da microscopia eletrônica de varredura possíveis alterações nas estruturas foliares das plantas de algodão e soja após o contato com o herbicida. Curvas de doseresposta foram obtidas a partir de experimentos conduzidos em casa-de-vegetação. Para isso, foram conduzidos dois ensaios, sendo os tratamentos com o herbicida aplicado quando as plantas atingiram os estágios fenológicos: V2 (segundo nó vegetativo); R1 (início da floração para a cultura de soja), F1 (início da floração da cultura de algodão); e R6 (vagens da soja com enchimento pleno e folhas verdes) e C1 (algodão no final do florescimento efetivo e frutificação plena). No primeiro experimento os tratamentos utilizados foram: 0D (testemunha), 0,25D, 0,5D, 1D, 2D e 4D, sendo D a dose recomendada do 2,4-D, e no segundo experimento as doses utilizadas foram: 0D, 1D, 0,1D, 0,01D, 0,001D, 0,0001D. Utilizando as mesmas plantas da primeira etapa da pesquisa foram feitas amostragens das folhas para a caracterização foliar através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. O 2,4-D comprometeu significativamente o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas de soja em todos os estádios fenológicos, com fitotoxicidade superiores a 65%. Resultados semelhantes foram obtidos na cultura do algodão, onde o menor nível de dano foi de 42,5% relativa à aplicação do herbicida no estádio fenológico R6 na dose de 0,25D. Observando os tratamentos nas subdoses do herbicida, na soja, verificou se que a maior porcentagem de fitotoxicidade foi obtida na dose de 0,1D, em todos os estádios fenológicos, os níveis de dano foram superiores a 50% na última avaliação. Em relação à cultura do algodão resultados semelhantes foram obtidos, com exceção do estádio fenológico R6, quando todos os estádios apresentaram porcentagem de fitotoxicidade superior a 40%. Em relação às características foliares do algodão e soja após aplicações de 2,4-D através da análise das características foliares em microscópio eletrônico de varredura, após a aplicação do herbicida, observou-se que o produto promoveu alterações nas estruturas foliares de algodão e soja em todas as doses estudadas. / The herbicide 2,4-D is used to control weeds in post-emergence conditions in crops which it is selective, as well in pre-planting vegetation management, however, due to its physical-chemical characteristics it may cause damage to susceptible neighbor crops, by the drift of the molecule during the spray. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance the technical knowledge of the impacts caused by the drift of the molecule during the application. The experiments were conducted in greenhouse and in the laboratory of the College of Agriculture \"Luiz de Queiroz\". So the objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the possible damage caused by 2,4-D in the initial development of cotton and soybean crops (ii) to evaluate the possible damage caused by 2,4-D drift in the initial development of cotton and soybean crops and (iii) to observe by electron microscopy scanning possible changes in leaf structure of plants cotton and soybeans after contact with the herbicide. Dose-response curves were obtained from experiments conducted in the greenhouse. For that, it was conducted two trials, being the treatments with the herbicide sprayed when the plants reached the following phenological stages: V2 (second vegetative node); R1 (beginning of flowering for soybeans) and F1 (beginning of flowering in cotton); and R6 (soybean pods with full filling and green leaves) and C1 (cotton at the end of effective flowering and fruiting full). In the first experiment the doses were related to the effect of doses (0D, 0.25D, 0.5D, 1D, 2D, 4D), where D is the recommended dose of the herbicide 2,4-D, and in the second experiment evaluated the effect of underdoses (0D, 1D, 0.1D, 0.01D, 0.001D and 0.0001D). Using the same plants of the first and second step of the research it was sampled leaves for the foliar characterization by scanning electron microscopy. The 2,4-D affected significantly the growth and development of the soybean plants in all phenological stages, with phytotoxicity superior to 65%. Similar results were obtained in cotton, where the lower level of damage was 42.5% on the application of the herbicide on growth stage R6 with the 0.25D dose. Regarding to the application of doses of the herbicide 2,4-D on soybeans, it was observed that the highest percentage of phytotoxicity to the crop was at the dose of 0.1D; in all growth stages the damage levels were above 50% in the last evaluation. Regarding to the cotton crop, similar results were obtained, except for the R6 growth stage, every stage showed higher percentage of phytotoxicity than 40%. Regarding to the characteristics of the cotton and soybean leaves following 2,4-D application, it was found that the product caused alterations in leaf structure of the plants in all doses.

O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor e exportador de soja (Glycine max L. Merrill) no mundo. A produção é altamente dependente de fatores climáticos, incluindo a temperatura e quantidade de chuva. A soja cultivada no sul do país em 2005 sofreu déficit hídrico causado por temperaturas altas acompanhado por umidade baixa durante o estádio reprodutivo. Pouco se sabe sobre a influência do déficit hídrico na degradação da clorofila e na qualidade dos grãos em geral. Nesse trabalho foram analisadas, numa primeira etapa, as características químicas e bioquímicas de cinco amostras de soja, provenientes de três cultivares que cresceram sob déficit hídrico e que não atendiam aos padrões para comercialização por conter altas quantidades de sementes verdes. Os grãos foram analisados quanto a diversos parâmetros físico-químicos e bioquímicos incluindo a análise dos pigmentos verdes imediatamente após a colheita e após 20 meses de armazenamento. A acidez foi medida adicionalmente após 30 meses de armazenamento. A atividade de água e umidade foram 0,6-0,7 e 8,7 %-11,9 %, respectivamente, e não mudaram durante a estocagem, mas houve um aumento em acidez o que indica atividade de lipases. A atividade da lipoxigenase 1 foi significativamente prejudicada. Imediatamente após a colheita os pigmentos verdes correspondiam a feofitina a, feofitina b e pequenas quantidades de clorofila a e b, e traços de outros derivados da clorofila, em ordem decrescente. Após 20 meses de estocagem quase todos os pigmentos haviam desaparecido. O déficit hídrico provavelmente aumentou a permeabilidade das membranas, o que levou a um aumento do pH e promoveu a transformação das clorofilas para feofitinas. Na segunda etapa do trabalho foi estudado o estágio avançado da degradação natural da clorofila na qual desaparece a coloração esverdeada dos grãos. Esta etapa corresponde à formação de catabólitos incolores (NCC), mas existem controvérsias se essas substâncias são os produtos finais da degradação. Assim, foram investigadas a formação e degradação dos NCC durante a maturação da soja e o efeito do tratamento térmico pós-colheita. A soja foi colhida em seis estádios de maturação e a formação dos NCC foi analisada por HPLC após secagem dos grãos a 40 e 60°C. Todas as amostras contiveram frações com um máximo de absorbância a 320 nm, considerado típico para os NCC. Os teores aumentaram até o 114o dia após a semeadura e decresceram significativamente em estádios mais avançados de maturação. Nas amostras secas a 40 e 60°C os teores de NCC foram menores, devido a níveis iniciais de clorofila inferiores. Esses resultados indicam que os NCC em soja provavelmente não sejam os produtos finais da degradação da clorofila. A sua redução em estádios mais avançados de maturação indica a sua metabolização para outras substâncias. / Brazil is the second largest soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) producer and exporter in the world. The production depends on climatic factors, like temperature and rain volume. Soybeans cultivated in the south of the country in 2005 suffered drought stress imposed by adverse high ambient temperature, accompanied by low humidity during the reproductive stage. Little information is available regarding drought stress on quality of grains. In this study, firstly, chemical and biochemical characteristics of five soybean samples belonging to three cultivars grown under drought stress and did not meet standards for marketing due to high amounts of green seeds, were evaluated. Grains were analyzed for several physicochemical ad biochemical parameters, including analysis of pigment contents, immediately after harvest and after 20 months of storage at room temperature. Acidity was measured additionally after 30 month of storage. Water activity and humidity were 0.6 - 0.7 and 8.7 % - 11.9 %, respectively, and did not change during storage time, but there was an increase in acidity, which alludes to lipase activity. The activity of lipoxygenase 1 was significantly prejudiced. Immediately after harvest, green pigments corresponded mainly to pheophytin a, followed by pheophytin b, small quantities of chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a and traces of other chlorophyll derivatives. After 20 months of storage almost all green pigments had disappeared. Drought stress probably enhanced membrane permeability, which led to a lower pH and promoted transformation of chlorophylls to pheophytins. In the second part of the study, the advanced stage of natural chlorophyll degradation was investigated, in which the green colour of the seeds disappears. This stage corresponds to the formation of non-coloured chlorophyll catabolites (NCC), but there are controversies if those are the final products. Thus, the formation and degradation of NCC during soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) maturation and two post-harvest drying temperatures was investigated. Soybean was harvested at six maturation stages and the formation of NCC was analyzed by HPLC after drying at 40°C and 60°C. All samples contained fractions with an absorption maximum at 320 nm, which are considered typical for NCC. The amounts of NCC increased until 114 days after plantation, and were significantly lower in advanced maturation stages. In samples dried at 40°C and 60°C, NCC amounts were lower, due to inferior initial chlorophyll levels. These results indicate that the NCC in soybeans might not be the final products of chlorophyll degradation. Their reduction in advanced maturation stages may be due to further metabolization.

A cultura de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) é muito importante mundialmente em função de seu uso na alimentação animal, como principal fonte de proteína e óleo, além de constituir a matéria prima básica para diversos setores da indústria. Sabe-se que a produtividade potencial de uma cultura é determinada por fatores genéticos e pelos seguintes atributos do ambiente de produção: temperatura, radiação solar, dióxido de carbono e fotoperíodo, sem restrição de água, nutrientes, plantas daninhas, pragas e doenças. A disponibilidade hídrica afeta o crescimento e desenvolvimento da cultura de soja, especialmente durante o período reprodutivo, fase de elevada atividade fisiológica. A deficiência hídrica é o principal fator limitante da produção mundial da cultura, que em sua maioria é cultivada em sistema de sequeiro em áreas com consideráveis riscos de ocorrência de deficit hídrico ao longo do ciclo da cultura. As plantas, ao longo do tempo, desenvolveram mecanismos para tolerar e/ou evitar os efeitos negativos desse estresse. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar esses mecanismos de tolerância associando-os ao potencial matricial do solo em processo de secagem. Foi avaliado a umidade gravimétrica e potencial matricial do solo, conteúdo relativo de água na folha, potencial hídrico foliar, prolina e caracteres relacionados à produção de plantas de soja, durante o período de enchimento de grãos, submetidas a três, seis, nove e doze dias sem irrigação, comparados com o controle irrigado diariamente. De acordo com o observado, os mecanismos de tolerância da soja à deficiência hídrica foram satisfatórios para a manutenção do conteúdo relativo de água e potencial hídrico foliar em níveis adequados até o valor de potencial matricial de água no solo de -0,8 atm, tendo a prolina papel importante nesse mecanismo. As avaliações hídricas, conteúdo relativo de água e potencial foliar se mostraram relacionados com a manutenção da produtividade de soja sob situação de deficiência hídrica, mostrando-se adequados para o estudo de tolerância de cultivares de soja à restrição hídrica. / Soybean crop (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is very important worldwide because it is used in animal feeding, a source of protein and oil, and also raw material for many manufactured goods. It is known that a crop potential yield is determined by genetic factors and by the following production environment characteristics: temperature, solar radiation, carbon dioxide, photoperiod, water availability, nutrients, weeds, pests and diseases. Water availability affects soybean growth and development especially during the reproductive phase which has high physiological activity. Water deficit is a key factor on world`s soybean production which is generally grown in dry land systems with considerable high risks of water deficit along soybean crop season. Plants have developed mechanisms over time to tolerate and/or avoid negative effects of this kind of stress. The present study had as the main goal to characterize these mechanisms of tolerance associating them with soil matric potential of a soil in a drying process. It was assessed the gravimetrical humidity and soil matric potential, leaf relative water content, leaf water potential, proline and yield component of plants under three, six, nine and twelve days without irrigation during grain filling phase. In accordance with the observed, soybean water deficit tolerance mechanisms were enough to maintain leaf relative water content and leaf water potential at acceptable levels until soil matric potential were around -0.8 atm, which proline was a key factor in this mechanism. Leaf relative water content and leaf water potential showed to be related in maintaining soybean yield under water deficit and they may be used in studies of soybean tolerant cultivars to water restriction.