Planting density and genotype have close relationship with the water relations in plants. The scenario of increased occurrence of extreme weather events and the change of Eucalyptus forest plantations to high water deficit regions, led us to the three key questions of this study: (1) What is the relationship between planting density and the potential water stress? (2) The planting spacing interferes the water use efficiency (WUE), i.e. the amount of biomass produced by the amount of water transpired? (3) Can the planting density change the soil water balance (BHS)? To develop this work, we settled a field trial in Mogi Guacu, SP, in February 2012. We planted four genetic material (Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla1 {Urograndis1}, Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla2, E.urophylla and E.grandis x E.camaldulensis {Grancam}) with different levels of tolerance to drought and four planting spacings (3.4, 7.0, 10.5 and 16.9 m2 plant-1, which correspond to densities of 2,949 , 1,424 and 1,028 and 591 plants ha-1). In Chapter 1, we evaluated the leaf water potential (representing potential water stress) of the four clones for 1 year, between 1.5 and 2.5 years. Regardless of the genetic material, the higher the wood productivity, the greater the leaf water potential. The denser planting (2,949 plants ha-1) stands generated 39% more wood, however, water stress potential reached up to 33% higher than the least dense planting (591 plants ha-1). In the second chapter, during the same period, we evaluated the efficiency of water use, which did not vary according to the change of planting density, but showed differences between genotypes with US 2.3, 2.2 and 1, 5 g L-1 to Urograndis, Urophylla and Grancam, respectively, at a density of 1,424 plants ha-1. Finally, the third chapter evaluated for two years, between 1.7 and 3.7 years, transpiration (T), soil evaporation (Es) and canopy interception (Ei), which together made up evapotranspiration (ET). Subtraction of precipitation (P) per ET resulted in soil water balance (SWB). The SWB was positive or near zero for the two clones evaluated (Urograndis1 and Grancam) when planting density was less than or equal to 1,028 trees ha-1. In the denser planting, the balance was -25%. These studies show that: a higher wood growth results in a higher potential drought stress, generating a clear trade-off between production and survival of trees. However, the detailed study of genetic materials fall under that there are increasing opportunities in water use efficiency, though without the increase in water use, bringing a greater share of water in the watershed scale. Finally, plantations above 1,028 ha-1 trees resulted in a negative soil water balance of -25% at the peak of growth. Together, this study reveals that spacing associated with genotypes can serve as tools in the search for balance between timber production and conservation of natural resources. / A densidade de plantio e o genótipo possuem estreita relação com as relações hídricas nas plantas. Sob um cenário de maior ocorrência de eventos climáticos extremos e do avanço dos plantios florestais de eucalipto para regiões de elevado déficit hídrico, elaboramos três perguntas-chave para esse estudo: (1) Qual a relação entre a densidade de plantio e o potencial estresse hídrico? (2) O espaçamento de plantio interfere na eficiência do uso da água (EUA), i.e., na quantidade de biomassa produzida pela quantidade de água transpirada? (3) Pode a densidade de plantio alterar o balanço hídrico do solo (BHS)? Para responder a essas questões, instalou-se um ensaio de campo em Mogi Guacu, SP, em fevereiro de 2012. Foram plantados quatro materiais genéticos (Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla1 {Urograndis1}, Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla2, E.urophylla e E.grandis x E.camaldulensis {Grancam}) com distintos níveis de tolerância à seca e quatro espaçamentos de plantio (3,4, 7,0, 10,5 e 16,9 m2 planta-1, que correspondem às densidades de 2.949, 1.424 e 1.028 e 591 plantas ha-1). No capítulo 1, avaliou-se o potencial hídrico foliar (representando o potencial estresse hídrico) dos quatro clones durante 1 ano, entre 1,5 e 2,5 anos. Independentemente do material genético, quanto maior a produtividade madeireira atingida, maior o potencial hídrico foliar. Os plantios mais adensados (2.949 plantas ha-1) geraram povoamentos 39% mais produtivos, no entanto, o potencial estresse hídrico chegou a atingir 33% acima do plantio menos adensado (591 plantas ha-1). No segundo capítulo, durante o mesmo período, avaliou-se a eficiência do uso da água, que não variou conforme a mudança de densidade de plantio, mas apresentou diferença entre os genótipos, com EUA de 2,3, 2,2 e 1,5 g L-1 para os clones Urograndis, Urophylla e Grancam, respectivamente, na densidade de 1.424 plantas ha-1. Por fim, o terceiro capítulo avaliou durante dois anos, entre 1,7 e 3,7 anos, a transpiração (T), evaporação do solo (Es) e interceptação de água pela copa (Ei), que somados compunham e evapotranspiração (ET). A subtração da precipitação (P) da ET resultou no balanço hídrico do solo (BHS). O BHS foi positivo ou próximo de zero para os dois clones avaliados (Urograndis1 e Grancam) quando a densidade de plantio foi inferior ou igual a 1.028 árvores ha-1. No plantio mais adensado, o balanço foi de -25%. Estes estudos demonstram que: a maior produtividade madeireira acarreta em maior potencial estresse hídrico, gerando um claro dilema entre a produção e a sobrevivência dos plantios. No entanto, o estudo detalhado dos materiais genéticos releva que há possibilidades de incremento na eficiência do uso da água sem que ocorra o aumento no uso da água, trazendo um maior compartilhamento da água na escala da microbacia. Por fim, plantios acima de 1.028 árvores ha-1 resultaram em um balanço hídrico do solo negativo médio de -25% no pico do crescimento. Em conjunto, o presente trabalho releva que o espaçamento associado a materiais genéticos específicos, podem servir como ferramenta na busca pelo equilíbrio entre a produção madeireira e a conservação de recursos naturais.

Planting density and genotype have close relationship with the water relations in plants. The scenario of increased occurrence of extreme weather events and the change of Eucalyptus forest plantations to high water deficit regions, led us to the three key questions of this study: (1) What is the relationship between planting density and the potential water stress? (2) The planting spacing interferes the water use efficiency (WUE), i.e. the amount of biomass produced by the amount of water transpired? (3) Can the planting density change the soil water balance (BHS)? To develop this work, we settled a field trial in Mogi Guacu, SP, in February 2012. We planted four genetic material (Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla1 {Urograndis1}, Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla2, E.urophylla and E.grandis x E.camaldulensis {Grancam}) with different levels of tolerance to drought and four planting spacings (3.4, 7.0, 10.5 and 16.9 m2 plant-1, which correspond to densities of 2,949 , 1,424 and 1,028 and 591 plants ha-1). In Chapter 1, we evaluated the leaf water potential (representing potential water stress) of the four clones for 1 year, between 1.5 and 2.5 years. Regardless of the genetic material, the higher the wood productivity, the greater the leaf water potential. The denser planting (2,949 plants ha-1) stands generated 39% more wood, however, water stress potential reached up to 33% higher than the least dense planting (591 plants ha-1). In the second chapter, during the same period, we evaluated the efficiency of water use, which did not vary according to the change of planting density, but showed differences between genotypes with US 2.3, 2.2 and 1, 5 g L-1 to Urograndis, Urophylla and Grancam, respectively, at a density of 1,424 plants ha-1. Finally, the third chapter evaluated for two years, between 1.7 and 3.7 years, transpiration (T), soil evaporation (Es) and canopy interception (Ei), which together made up evapotranspiration (ET). Subtraction of precipitation (P) per ET resulted in soil water balance (SWB). The SWB was positive or near zero for the two clones evaluated (Urograndis1 and Grancam) when planting density was less than or equal to 1,028 trees ha-1. In the denser planting, the balance was -25%. These studies show that: a higher wood growth results in a higher potential drought stress, generating a clear trade-off between production and survival of trees. However, the detailed study of genetic materials fall under that there are increasing opportunities in water use efficiency, though without the increase in water use, bringing a greater share of water in the watershed scale. Finally, plantations above 1,028 ha-1 trees resulted in a negative soil water balance of -25% at the peak of growth. Together, this study reveals that spacing associated with genotypes can serve as tools in the search for balance between timber production and conservation of natural resources. / A densidade de plantio e o genótipo possuem estreita relação com as relações hídricas nas plantas. Sob um cenário de maior ocorrência de eventos climáticos extremos e do avanço dos plantios florestais de eucalipto para regiões de elevado déficit hídrico, elaboramos três perguntas-chave para esse estudo: (1) Qual a relação entre a densidade de plantio e o potencial estresse hídrico? (2) O espaçamento de plantio interfere na eficiência do uso da água (EUA), i.e., na quantidade de biomassa produzida pela quantidade de água transpirada? (3) Pode a densidade de plantio alterar o balanço hídrico do solo (BHS)? Para responder a essas questões, instalou-se um ensaio de campo em Mogi Guacu, SP, em fevereiro de 2012. Foram plantados quatro materiais genéticos (Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla1 {Urograndis1}, Eucalyptus grandis x E.urophylla2, E.urophylla e E.grandis x E.camaldulensis {Grancam}) com distintos níveis de tolerância à seca e quatro espaçamentos de plantio (3,4, 7,0, 10,5 e 16,9 m2 planta-1, que correspondem às densidades de 2.949, 1.424 e 1.028 e 591 plantas ha-1). No capítulo 1, avaliou-se o potencial hídrico foliar (representando o potencial estresse hídrico) dos quatro clones durante 1 ano, entre 1,5 e 2,5 anos. Independentemente do material genético, quanto maior a produtividade madeireira atingida, maior o potencial hídrico foliar. Os plantios mais adensados (2.949 plantas ha-1) geraram povoamentos 39% mais produtivos, no entanto, o potencial estresse hídrico chegou a atingir 33% acima do plantio menos adensado (591 plantas ha-1). No segundo capítulo, durante o mesmo período, avaliou-se a eficiência do uso da água, que não variou conforme a mudança de densidade de plantio, mas apresentou diferença entre os genótipos, com EUA de 2,3, 2,2 e 1,5 g L-1 para os clones Urograndis, Urophylla e Grancam, respectivamente, na densidade de 1.424 plantas ha-1. Por fim, o terceiro capítulo avaliou durante dois anos, entre 1,7 e 3,7 anos, a transpiração (T), evaporação do solo (Es) e interceptação de água pela copa (Ei), que somados compunham e evapotranspiração (ET). A subtração da precipitação (P) da ET resultou no balanço hídrico do solo (BHS). O BHS foi positivo ou próximo de zero para os dois clones avaliados (Urograndis1 e Grancam) quando a densidade de plantio foi inferior ou igual a 1.028 árvores ha-1. No plantio mais adensado, o balanço foi de -25%. Estes estudos demonstram que: a maior produtividade madeireira acarreta em maior potencial estresse hídrico, gerando um claro dilema entre a produção e a sobrevivência dos plantios. No entanto, o estudo detalhado dos materiais genéticos releva que há possibilidades de incremento na eficiência do uso da água sem que ocorra o aumento no uso da água, trazendo um maior compartilhamento da água na escala da microbacia. Por fim, plantios acima de 1.028 árvores ha-1 resultaram em um balanço hídrico do solo negativo médio de -25% no pico do crescimento. Em conjunto, o presente trabalho releva que o espaçamento associado a materiais genéticos específicos, podem servir como ferramenta na busca pelo equilíbrio entre a produção madeireira e a conservação de recursos naturais.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:37:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tiago_Luan_Hachmann.pdf: 1649541 bytes, checksum: 8e937bb39bf1fdae7f31d4186d79cc60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work was conducted in the period from April, 11th, 2014 until September, 9th, 2014 aiming studying the influence of the number of stems and the way of establishing these stems in productivity and quality characteristics of the tomato cultivars, and evaluate the daily course of gas exchange indexes of the tomato cultivars in the leaves exposed to solar radiation from the east (morning) or the west (afternoon). The experimental design used in the first experiment was a randomized block design with factorial 3 x 2 x 2, with four replications. Three numbers of stem per plant were tested (one, two and four steams) two forms of establishment (maintaining and removing the main stem) and two cultivars (Caniles and Rubi F1 hybrid). The total number of fruits, number of normal fruits, non-commercial and blossom-end rot was evaluated; percentage of unmarketable fruits and blossom end rot; average mass, longitudinal and transversal diameter of the normal fruits; fruit mass, transversal and longitudinal diameter, average fruit mass and productivity of the first four clusters; total mass of fruit and fruit normal mass; and was calculated productivity of normal fruits, non-commercial, with blossom end rot and total fruit yield. It was also evaluated pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity and soluble solids/titratable acidity ("ratio"). In the second experiment the experimental design was a randomized block design, factorial 2 x 2 x 6, with four replications. The first factor was composed of two evaluation positions in the plant (East and West), the second of two tomato cultivars (Caniles and Rubi) and finally six times evaluation throughout the day (8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 and 18:00). It was measured the rate of CO2 net assimilation (A), leaf transpiration (E), stomatal conductance (gs), internal CO2 concentration (Ci) and leaf temperature (°C) and vapor pressure deficit. It was also calculated the water use efficiency (WUE) (A/E), intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi) (A/gs) and the instantaneous efficiency of carboxylation (A/Ci). The conduction of plants with four steams is more favorable to productivity and the quality characteristics. The establishment of steams number keeping the main stem is best suited for providing greater productivity. The cultivar Caniles is the most suitable for driving on growing conditions, due to its higher yield and fruits with better "ratio". The values of net assimilation rate of CO2, leaf transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature, water use efficiency, intrinsic water use efficiency and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency on the east side are larger than on the west side. The cultivar Caniles has a higher net assimilation rate of CO2, leaf transpiration, leaf temperature and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency under conditions of high temperature and luminosity / Este trabalho foi conduzido no período de 11/04/2014 a 16/09/2014, tendo como objetivo estudar a influência do número de hastes e da forma de estabelecimento dessas hastes nas características produtivas e qualitativas de duas cultivares de tomateiro, e avaliar o curso diário dos índices de trocas gasosas de duas cultivares de tomateiro, em folhas expostas à radiação solar proveniente do quadrante leste (período da manhã) ou do quadrante oeste (período da tarde). O delineamento experimental utilizado no primeiro experimento foi de blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial de 3 x 2 x 2, com quatro repetições. Foram testados três números de haste por planta (uma, duas e quatro hastes), duas formas de condução (mantendo a haste principal e retirando a haste principal) e duas cultivares (híbrido F1 Rubi e híbrido Caniles). Foi avaliado o número total de frutos, número de frutos normais, não comerciais e com podridão apical; porcentagem de frutos não comerciais e com podridão apical; massa média, diâmetro longitudinal e transversal dos frutos normais; massa de frutos, diâmetro transversal e longitudinal, massa média por fruto e produtividade dos quatro primeiros cachos; massa total de frutos e massa de frutos normais; e foi calculada a produtividade de frutos normais, não comerciais, com podridão apical e produtividade total de frutos. Também foi avaliado o pH, teor de sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e a relação sólidos solúveis/acidez titulável ( ratio ). No segundo experimento o delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 x 6, com quatro repetições. O primeiro fator foi composto de duas posições de avaliação na planta (Leste e Oeste), o segundo de duas cultivares de tomate (Caniles e Rubi) e por fim seis horários de avaliação ao longo do dia (8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 e 18:00). Foi mensurada a taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2 (A), taxa de transpiração foliar (E), condutância estomática (gs), concentração interna de CO2 (Ci), temperatura foliar (°C) e déficit de pressão de vapor. Também foi calculada a eficiência no uso da água (WUE) (relação A/E), eficiência intrínseca no uso da água (WUEi) (relação A/gs) e a eficiência instantânea da carboxilação (A/Ci) (relação A/Ci). A condução das plantas com quatro hastes é mais favorável para a produtividade e para as características de qualidade. O estabelecimento do número de hastes mantendo a haste principal é mais adequado por proporcionar obtenção de maior produtividade. A cultivar Caniles é a mais adequada para a condução nas condições de cultivo, por apresentar maior produtividade e por apresentar frutos com maior ratio . Os valores de taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2, taxa de transpiração foliar, condutância estomática, temperatura foliar, eficiência no uso da água, eficiência intrínseca no uso da água e eficiência instantânea de carboxilação no quadrante leste são maiores que no quadrante oeste. A cultivar Caniles apresenta maior taxa de assimilação líquida de CO2, taxa de transpiração foliar, temperatura foliar e eficiência instantânea de carboxilação sob condições de temperatura e luminosidade elevadas

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Site Index is used extensively in modern commercial forestry both as an indicator of current and future site potential, but also as a means of site comparison. The concept is deeply embedded into current forest planning processes, and without it empirical growth and yield modelling would not function in its present form. Most commercial forestry companies in South Africa currently spend hundreds of thousands of Rand annually collecting growth stock data via inventory, but spend little or no money on the default compartment data (specifically Site Index) which is used to estimate over 90% of the product volumes in their long term plans. A need exists to construct reliable methods to determine Site Index for sites which have not been physically measured (the socalled "default", or indirect Site Index). Most previous attempts to model Site Index have used multiple linear regression as the model, alternative methods have been explored in this thesis: Regression tree analysis, random forest analysis, hybrid or model trees, multiple linear regression, and multiple linear regression using regression trees to identify the variables. Regression tree analysis proves to be ideally suited to this type of data, and a generic model with only three site variables was able to capture 49.44 % of the variation in Site Index. Further localisation of the model could prove to be commercially useful. One of the key assumptions associated with Site Index, that it is unaffected by initial planting density, was tested using linear mixed effects modelling. The results show that there may well be role played by initial stocking in some species (notably E. dunnii and E. nitens), and that further work may be warranted. It was also shown that early measurement of dominant height results in poor estimates of Site Index, which will have a direct impact on inventory policies and on data to be included in Site Index modelling studies. This thesis is divided into six chapters: Chapter 1 contains a description of the concept of Site Index and it's origins, as well as, how the concept is used within the current forest planning processes. Chapter 2 contains an analysis on the influence of initial planted density on the estimate of Site Index. Chapter 3 explores the question of whether the age at which dominant height is measured has any effect on the quality of Site Index estimates. Chapter 4 looks at various modelling methodologies and compares the resultant models. Chapter 5 contains conclusions and recommendations for further study, and finally Chapter 6 discusses how any new Site Index model will effect the current planning protocol. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hedendaagse kommersiële bosbou gebruik groeiplek indeks (Site Index) as 'n aanduiding van huidige en toekomstige groeiplek moontlikhede, asook 'n metode om groeiplekke te vergelyk. Hierdie beginsel is diep gewortel in bestaande beplanningsprosesse en daarsonder kan empiriese groeien opbrengsmodelle nie in hul huidige vorm funksioneer nie. SuidAfrikaanse bosboumaatskappye bestee jaarliks groot bedrae geld aan die versameling van groeivoorraad data deur middel van opnames, maar weinig of geen geld word aangewend vir die insameling van ongemete vak data (veral groeiplek indeks) nie. Ongemete vak data word gebuik om meer as 90% van die produksie volume te beraam in langtermyn beplaning. 'n Behoefte bestaan om betroubare metodes te ontwikkel om groeiplek indeks te bereken vir groeiplekke wat nog nie opgemeet is nie. Die meeste vorige pogings om groeiplek indeks te beraam het meervoudige linêre regressie as model gebruik. Alternatiewe metodes is ondersoek; naamlik regressieboom analise, ewekansige woud analise, hibriedeof modelbome, meervoudige linêre regressie en meervoudige linêre regressie waarin die veranderlike faktore bepaal is deur regressiebome. Regressieboom analise blyk geskik te wees vir hierdie tipe data en 'n veralgemeende model met slegs drie groeiplek veranderlikes dek 49.44 % van die variasie in groeiplek indeks. Verdere lokalisering van die model kan dus van kommersiële waarde wees. 'n Sleutel aanname is gemaak dat aanvanklike plantdigtheid nie 'n invloed op groeiplek indeks het nie. Hierdie aanname is getoets deur linêre gemengde uitwerkings modelle. Die toetsuitslag dui op 'n moontlikheid dat plantdigtheid wel 'n invloed het op sommige spesies (vernaamlik E. dunnii en E. nitens) en verdere navorsing kan daarom geregverdig word. Dit is ook bewys dat metings van jonger bome vir dominante hoogtes gee aanleiding tot swak beramings van groeiplek indekse. Gevolglik sal hierdie toestsuitslag groeivoorraad opname beleid, asook die data wat vir groeiplek indeks modellering gebruik word, beïnvloed. Hierdie tesis word in ses hoofstukke onderverdeel. Hoofstuk een bevat 'n beskrywing van die beginsel van groeiplek indeks, die oorsprong daarvan, asook hoe die beginsel tans in huidige bosbou beplannings prosesse toegepas word. Hoofstuk twee bestaan uit ń ontleding van die invloed van aanvanklike plantdigtheid op die beraming van groeplek indeks. In hoofstuk drie word ondersoek wat die moontlike invloed is van die ouderdom waarop metings vir dominante hoogte geneem word, op die kwaliteit van groeplek indeks beramings het. Hoofstuk vier verken verskeie modelle metodologieë en vergelyk die uitslaggewende modelle. Hoofstuk vyf bevat gevolgtrekkings en voorstelle vir verdere studies. Afsluitend, is hoofstuk ses ń bespreking van hoe enige nuwe groeiplek indeks modelle die huidige beplannings protokol kan beïnvloed.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:15:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ThiagoPS_DISSERT.pdf: 1141491 bytes, checksum: daa95022c775bd52ef89015fbc679f4f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The spacing and planting date are factors that can influence the yield of lettuce. Aiming to evaluate the production of American lettuce in relation to spacing and planting season were conducted four experiments in the garden of Departamento de Ciências Vegetais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido (UFERSA), campus de Mossoró-RN. Each experiment was carried out in the field at a season of planting: 12/23/2014 (summer), 03/25/2015 (autumn), 06/22/2015 (winter) and 09/23/2015 (spring). The characteristics evaluated were height and plant diameter (cm), number of leaves (plant-1), fresh and dry weight of plants (g plant-1), and productivity (t ha-1). The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a factorial 2 x 4 with two lettuce cultivars (Angelina and Amelia) and four planting spacings (15 x 15 cm, 20 x 20 cm, 25 x 25 cm and 30 x 30 cm) and three replicates. Increased planting density resulted in higher productivity, although with lower average mass of plants. The winter and summer crops were best suited for the cultivars, providing the highest productivity / O espaçamento e a época de plantio são fatores que podem influenciar no rendimento da alface. Assim, com o objetivo de avaliar a produção de alface americana em função do espaçamento e épocas de plantio, foram desenvolvidos quatro experimentos na Horta do Departamento de Ciências Vegetais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido (UFERSA), campus de Mossoró-RN. Cada experimento foi instalado em campo em uma época de plantio: 23/12/2014 (verão), 25/03/2015 (outono), 22/06/2015 (inverno) e 23/09/2015 (primavera). As características avaliadas foram altura (cm) e diâmetro de plantas (cm), número de folhas (planta-1), massa fresca e seca de plantas (g planta-1), e produtividade (t ha-1). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2 x 4, com duas cultivares de alface: (Angelina e Amélia) e quatro espaçamentos de plantio ( 15 x 15 cm, 20 x 20 cm, 25 x 25 cm e 30 x 30 cm), com três repetições. O aumento da densidade de plantio resultou em maior produtividade, embora com menor massa média de plantas. Os cultivos de inverno e verão foram os mais adequados para as cultivares, proporcionando as maiores produtividades

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ThiagoPS_DISSERT.pdf: 1141491 bytes, checksum: daa95022c775bd52ef89015fbc679f4f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-16 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The spacing and planting date are factors that can influence the yield of lettuce. Aiming to evaluate the production of American lettuce in relation to spacing and planting season were conducted four experiments in the garden of Departamento de Ciências Vegetais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido (UFERSA), campus de Mossoró-RN. Each experiment was carried out in the field at a season of planting: 12/23/2014 (summer), 03/25/2015 (autumn), 06/22/2015 (winter) and 09/23/2015 (spring). The characteristics evaluated were height and plant diameter (cm), number of leaves (plant-1), fresh and dry weight of plants (g plant-1), and productivity (t ha-1). The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a factorial 2 x 4 with two lettuce cultivars (Angelina and Amelia) and four planting spacings (15 x 15 cm, 20 x 20 cm, 25 x 25 cm and 30 x 30 cm) and three replicates. Increased planting density resulted in higher productivity, although with lower average mass of plants. The winter and summer crops were best suited for the cultivars, providing the highest productivity / O espaçamento e a época de plantio são fatores que podem influenciar no rendimento da alface. Assim, com o objetivo de avaliar a produção de alface americana em função do espaçamento e épocas de plantio, foram desenvolvidos quatro experimentos na Horta do Departamento de Ciências Vegetais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido (UFERSA), campus de Mossoró-RN. Cada experimento foi instalado em campo em uma época de plantio: 23/12/2014 (verão), 25/03/2015 (outono), 22/06/2015 (inverno) e 23/09/2015 (primavera). As características avaliadas foram altura (cm) e diâmetro de plantas (cm), número de folhas (planta-1), massa fresca e seca de plantas (g planta-1), e produtividade (t ha-1). O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, no esquema fatorial 2 x 4, com duas cultivares de alface: (Angelina e Amélia) e quatro espaçamentos de plantio ( 15 x 15 cm, 20 x 20 cm, 25 x 25 cm e 30 x 30 cm), com três repetições. O aumento da densidade de plantio resultou em maior produtividade, embora com menor massa média de plantas. Os cultivos de inverno e verão foram os mais adequados para as cultivares, proporcionando as maiores produtividades

African leafy vegetables have been shown and suggested to have potential to contribute to human diets and alleviate malnutrition; however, their levels of utilisation are currently low especially in South Africa. This is because there is limited access to these crops due to low availability in the market. Limited access is attributed, in part, to the lack of commercialisation as a result of limited agronomic information describing optimum management options for these leafy vegetables. Availability of such information would contribute to successful commercialisation of these crops. The primary objective of this study was to establish optimum agronomic management factors for Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius, Vigna unguiculata and Brassica juncea for irrigated commercial production in South Africa. Seeds of Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius were obtained from the Agricultural Research Council seed bank; Vigna unguiculata were obtained from Hydrotech and Brassica juncea seeds were obtained from Stark Ayres. The project consisted of three field studies whose overall objective was to evaluate growth and yield responses of the selected African leafy vegetables to agronomic factors under irrigated commercial production. These field studies comprised of two single factors; summer trials (planting density and nitrogen on three selected crops) and a combined winter trial (nitrogen, irrigation, plant density and planting date on a winter crop). Chapter three (3) investigated the effect of plant density on growth, physiology and yield responses of Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius and Vigna unguiculata to three plant densities under drip irrigated commercial production. The plant density levels of 100 000, 66 666 and 50 000 plants/ha were used in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 summer seasons. Parameters measured included chlorophyll content index (CCI), chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), stomatal conductance (SC), leaf number, leaf area index (LAI) and biomass. Amaranthus cruentus and Corchorus olitorius showed better leaf quality at lower plant density of 50 000 plants ha-1 than at 66 666 plants ha-1 and 100 000 plants ha-1. These results are based on bigger leaves expressed as leaf area index (LAI), better colour expressed as chlorophyll (CCI) and higher biomass per plant observed in these crops at 50 000 plants ha-1 in comparison to 66 666 plants ha-1 and 100 000 plants ha-1. In Vigna unguiculata there were no responses observed in LAI and CCI. In Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus olitorius and Vigna unguiculata fresh and dry mass yield of leaves were higher at 100 000 plants ha-1 compared to other treatments. In A. cruentus and C. olitorius, higher leaf quality parameters (CCI, plant height, leaf number, biomass per plant and LAI) indicated that these crops can perform better at lower densities of 50 000 than at 66 666 plants ha-1 and 100 000 plants ha-1 Therefore, using 50 000 plants ha- 1 is suitable for commercial production of A. cruentus and C. olitorius. In Vigna unguiculata, a plant density of 100 000 plants ha-1 produced the highest fresh and dry mass per unit area without compromising quality in terms of the leaf size (LAI) and colour (CCI). Therefore 100 000 plants ha-1 is a density recommended for commercial production in V. unguiculata.Chapter four (4) was conducted to investigate growth, physiology and yield responses of A. cruentus, C. olitorius and V unguiculata to nitrogen application under drip irrigated commercial production. Three nitrogen treatments levels were used viz. 0, 44 and 88 kg N ha- 1 in 2011/12 season and four nitrogen treatments levels viz. 0, 50, 100 and 125 kg N ha-1 were used in 2012/13 summer season. The nitrogen levels selected for each season were based on recommendations for Amaranthaceae species, Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.var cicla) derived from soil analysis of the trial (field) site. Parameters measured included chlorophyll content index (CCI), chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), stomatal conductance (SC), leaf number, leaf area index (LAI) and biomass. Results showed that application of nitrogen at 44 kg N ha- 1 in 2011/12 summer season and 100 kg N ha-1 in 2012/13 summer season improved LAI, CCI, biomass per plants and yield in A. cruentus. A similar trend was observed in C. olitorius except that 44 kg N ha-1 improved stem fresh yield. Further increase in nitrogen fertiliser above 44 kg N ha-1 during the 2011/12 season and above 100 kg N ha-1 in 2012/13 summer season reduced leaf quality and yield in both crops. In V. unguiculata, nitrogen application showed a slight increase in yield values from 0 to 44 kg N ha-1 followed by decrease at 88 kg N ha-1 in 2011/12 summer season; however, this increase in yield was not significant. During the 2012/13 summer season, yield in terms of fresh weight was significantly (P<.001) reduced by applying nitrogen at various levels. However, leaf dry matter content increased significantly (P<.001) with increase in nitrogen from 0 kg up to 100 kg N ha-1, then remained unchanged at 125 kg N ha-1. Therefore, the current study recommends that C. olitorius and A. cruentus could be commercialised at 44 kg N ha-1 and 100 kg N ha-1 which were lower nitrogen application rates than those recommended for Amaranthaceae species. In V. unguiculata, 50 kg N ha-1 improved leaf number; however, this did not translate to any fresh yield advantage, implying that the optimum rate for nitrogen application might be lower than 50 kg N ha-1. Therefore, nitrogen rates less than the ones used in the current study are recommended for V. unguiculata. Chapter five (5) was conducted in winter and it was necessitated by observations made primarily in the previous studies which focused on the effects of single factors such as plant density, planting date and nitrogen deficits. Therefore, there was a need to address interactions between irrigation, nitrogen, spacing and planting date. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth, physiology and yield responses of Brassica juncea to different agronomic and management factors in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The treatments were as follows: two planting dates in main plot (1 June and 18 July, 2012); two irrigation frequency in sub main plot (once and three times a week); three nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 kg N ha-1) and three plant densities (133 333, 80 000, 50 000 plants ha-1) as subplots. Parameters measured included chlorophyll content index (CCI), chlorophyll fluorescence (CF), stomatal conductance (SC), leaf number, leaf area index (LAI) and biomass. Results from this study showed a significant interaction effect on plant height, LAI, CCI and CF. Crops irrigated thrice or once a week with 50 kg N ha-1 combined with 50 000 plants ha-1 produced tall plants and bigger leaves (LAI) in the early planting date (1 June) compared to other combinations. Irrigating three times a week combined with nitrogen application at 100 or 50 kg N ha-1 improved CF for late planting date (18 July) in comparison to other combinations. Irrigating once a week combined with nitrogen application at 100 kg N ha-1 increased CCI. There was no significant interaction effect on yield. Application of nitrogen at 50 and 100 kg N ha-1 significantly (P>0.05) increased yield in early and late planting dates compared to the control (0 kg N ha-1), in 2012 and 2013 winter season. Irrigating three times a week led to a significant (P<0.05) increase in yield in the late planting date (18th July) and early planting date (1st June) in 2013 season. Higher plant density of 133 333 plants ha-1 resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher yield in terms of fresh mass and leaf number in the late planting date 18 July in 2012 and 2013 seasons. However, leaf quality parameters such as leaf size and colour was compromised at 133 333 plants ha-1 relative to 50 000 plants ha-1. Therefore, farmers are recommended to plant early, apply 50 kg N ha-1, irrigate thrice a week and utilise a spacing of 50 000 plants ha-1. The current study indicates that growth and yield of traditional leaf vegetables can be optimised through improved agronomic practise. / Agriculture and Life Sciences / D. Litt. et. Phil. (Agriculture)