Diploma thesis is focused on the chemical analysis of the juices of black, red and white currant and jostaberry (Ribes a Ribes x culverwellii). The theoretical part is focused to the definition of fruit, fruit importance in human nutrition, description of Ribes and Ribes x culverwellii genuses, active substances in the currants and the jostaberry, description of selected chemical parameters and the determination of some of them. The procedures of determining for the following chemical parameters are described in the experimental section: determination of reducing sugars, determination of total and soluble solids, formol number, pH, titratable acidity, determination of total phenols and anthocyanins and determination of vitamin C in two samples jostaberry, six varieties of black currants, one variety of white currant and two varieties of red currants. Based on the evaluation of the obtained results, the comparison was made with different varieties and the thesis that "overall comparison of the different varieties in the content of phenolic compounds, vitamin C and anthocyanins appears to be the most promising variety of blackcurrant demon. It should however be noted that the highest content of phenolics and anthocyanins were determined in jostaberry„ has been suggested.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T14:59:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2008 - Leandro Galzerano.pdf: 1398173 bytes, checksum: 3b9bc8540a1e5f744b54fffefe6a7828 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-05 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / This work was carried out in order to obtain subsidies under the definition of strategies for nitrogen fertilization of pastures of tifton 85, based on monitoring the dynamics changes in the structure of swards. The underlying assumption was that the application of increasing levels of N is a powerful tool for that purpose. The experiment was developed over a Planosol of occurrence in the experimental field of the Universidade Federal Rural Rio de Janeiro, city of Serop?dica, Brazil, during the establishment of the pasture, between the months of October, 2006 to January 2007. Treatments consisted of four levels of N (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N-urea. ha-1), in single application, in plots of 4 x 4 m, arranged in blocks fully randomized, with four repetitions. Together with nitrogen fertilization, the plots received 80 kg P.ha-1 and 150 kg K.ha-1, and Ca as calcareo (1.0 tn.ha-1). The variables were: frequency of occurrence of plants; height of the canopy, leaf growth and leaf area index (LAI), the interception of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and the production and partition of dry matter. The results showed that the frequency of occurrence, height and interception of PAR varied according to a standard logistic, whose parameters have been modified to a greater or lesser degree, by the levels of N added. Similarly, at the 87 days after planting, the LAI and the total dry matter produced, but not its partition between leaves and stems, responded to changes in N mineral available in the soil. It was concluded that the application of increasing levels of Nurea, during the establishment of grass tifton 85 was an efficient experimental strategy for the induction of quantitative changes during the development time of swards structure. / O presente trabalho foi realizado com o prop?sito de definir estrat?gias de aduba??o nitrogenada em pastagens de tifton 85, baseadas no monitoramento de mudan?as din?micas na estrutura dos doss?is forrageiros. O experimento foi desenvolvido numa ?rea de Planossolo no campo experimental da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, munic?pio de Serop?dica, RJ, durante a fase de estabelecimento da pastagem, entre os meses de outubro de 2006 a janeiro de 2007. Os tratamentos consistiram de quatro n?veis de N (0; 50; 100 e 150 kg N-ur?ia.ha-1), em aplica??o ?nica, dispostos em parcelas de 4 x 4 m, arranjadas em blocos inteiramente casualizados, com quatro repeti??es. Em conjunto com a aduba??o nitrogenada, as parcelas receberam 80 kg P.ha-1 e 150 kg K.ha-1. O solo foi corrigido com 1,0 tn.ha-1 de calc?reo. As vari?veis estudadas foram: freq??ncia de ocorr?ncia de plantas; altura do dossel, crescimento foliar e ?ndice de ?rea foliar (IAF), intercepta??o de radia??o fotossinteticamente ativa (RFA) e produ??o e parti??o da mat?ria seca. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a freq??ncia de ocorr?ncia; altura e a intercepta??o de RFA variaram temporalmente de acordo com um padr?o log?stico, cujos par?metros foram modificados, em maior ou menor grau, pelos n?veis de N adicionados. De forma similar, aos 87 dias p?s- plantio, o IAF e a mat?ria seca total produzida, mas n?o a sua parti??o entre folhas e colmos, responderam ?s varia??es do N mineral dispon?vel no solo. Foi conclu?do que a aplica??o de n?veis crescentes de Nur?ia, durante a fase de estabelecimento do capim tifton 85 foi uma estrat?gia experimental eficiente para a indu??o de varia??es quantitativas durante o desenvolvimento temporal da estrutura dos doss?is.

The general goal of this research was to understand the agronomic and physiological changes of a lucerne crop in distinct physical radiation environments and to verify the potential of lucerne to grow under shaded conditions. To achieve this, the research was conducted in four main steps: (i) firstly, experimental data collection in the field using two artificial shade materials (shade cloth and wooden slats) under inigated and non-irrigated conditions; (ii) a second experiment with data collection in a typical temperate dryland agroforestry area under non-irrigated conditions; (iii) generation of a light interception sub-model suitable for shaded crops and (iv) a linkage between the light interception sub-model and a canopy photosynthesis model for agroforestry use. In experiments 1 and 2, lucerne crop was exposed to 6 different light regimes: full sunlight (FS), shade cloth (FS+CL), wooden slats (FS+SL), trees (T), trees+cloth (T +CL) and trees+slats (T+SL). The FS+SL structure produced a physical radiation environment (radiation transmission, radiation periodicity and spectral composition) that was similar to that observed in the agroforestry site (f). The mean annual photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was 41 % under the FS+CL, 44% under FS+SL and 48% under T compared with FS in clear sky conditions. Plants were exposed to an intermittent (sun/shade) regime under both FS+SL and T, whereas under FS+CL the shaded light regime was continuous. The red to far-red (RIFR) ratio measured during the shade period under the slats was 0.74 and under the trees was 0.64. However, R/FR ratio increased to 1.26 and 1.23 during the illuminated period under FS+SL and T, respectively, and these were equivalent to the ratio of 1.28 observed under the FS+CL and 1.31 in FS. The radiation use efficiency (RUE) of shoots increased under the 5 shaded treatments compared with full sunlight. The pattern of radiation interception was unchanged by radiation flux, periodicity and spectral composition and all treatments had a mean extinction coefficient of 0.82. However, the magnitude of the decrease in canopy growth was less than those in PPFD transmissivity. The mean lucerne annual dry matter (DM) yield was 17.5 t ha⁻¹ in FS and 10 t ha⁻¹ under the FS+CL, FS+SL and T regimes. This declined to 3.4 t DM ha⁻¹ under T+CL (22% PPFD transmissvity) and 4.1 t DM ha⁻¹ under T+SL (23% transmissivity). A similar pattern of response was observed for leaf net photosynthesis (Pn) rates under the shade treatments compared with full sun. In addition, spectral changes observed under the trees and slats affected plant motphology by increasing the number of long stems, stem height and internode length compared with full sunlight. Thus, there were two main explanations for the increase in RUE under shade compared with full sun: (i) preferential partition of assimilates to shoot rather than root growth and/or (ii) leaves under shade were still operating at an efficient part of the photosynthetic light curve. The changes proposed for the canopy Pn model were appropriate to simulate the radiation environment of an agroforestry system. However, the model underestimated DM yields under the continuous and intermittent shade regimes. These were considered to be mainly associated with plant factors, such as overestimation in maintenance respiration and partitioning between shoots and roots in shade and the intermittency light effect on leaf Pn rates. Further investigation in these topics must be addressed to accurately predict crop yield in agroforestry areas. Overall, the lucerne crop responded typically as a sun-adapted plant under shade. It was concluded that lucerne yield potential to grow under intermediate shade was superior to most of C3 pastures previously promoted in the literature.

The general goal of this research was to understand the agronomic and physiological changes of a lucerne crop in distinct physical radiation environments and to verify the potential of lucerne to grow under shaded conditions. To achieve this, the research was conducted in four main steps: (i) firstly, experimental data collection in the field using two artificial shade materials (shade cloth and wooden slats) under inigated and non-irrigated conditions; (ii) a second experiment with data collection in a typical temperate dryland agroforestry area under non-irrigated conditions; (iii) generation of a light interception sub-model suitable for shaded crops and (iv) a linkage between the light interception sub-model and a canopy photosynthesis model for agroforestry use. In experiments 1 and 2, lucerne crop was exposed to 6 different light regimes: full sunlight (FS), shade cloth (FS+CL), wooden slats (FS+SL), trees (T), trees+cloth (T +CL) and trees+slats (T+SL). The FS+SL structure produced a physical radiation environment (radiation transmission, radiation periodicity and spectral composition) that was similar to that observed in the agroforestry site (f). The mean annual photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) was 41 % under the FS+CL, 44% under FS+SL and 48% under T compared with FS in clear sky conditions. Plants were exposed to an intermittent (sun/shade) regime under both FS+SL and T, whereas under FS+CL the shaded light regime was continuous. The red to far-red (RIFR) ratio measured during the shade period under the slats was 0.74 and under the trees was 0.64. However, R/FR ratio increased to 1.26 and 1.23 during the illuminated period under FS+SL and T, respectively, and these were equivalent to the ratio of 1.28 observed under the FS+CL and 1.31 in FS. The radiation use efficiency (RUE) of shoots increased under the 5 shaded treatments compared with full sunlight. The pattern of radiation interception was unchanged by radiation flux, periodicity and spectral composition and all treatments had a mean extinction coefficient of 0.82. However, the magnitude of the decrease in canopy growth was less than those in PPFD transmissivity. The mean lucerne annual dry matter (DM) yield was 17.5 t ha⁻¹ in FS and 10 t ha⁻¹ under the FS+CL, FS+SL and T regimes. This declined to 3.4 t DM ha⁻¹ under T+CL (22% PPFD transmissvity) and 4.1 t DM ha⁻¹ under T+SL (23% transmissivity). A similar pattern of response was observed for leaf net photosynthesis (Pn) rates under the shade treatments compared with full sun. In addition, spectral changes observed under the trees and slats affected plant motphology by increasing the number of long stems, stem height and internode length compared with full sunlight. Thus, there were two main explanations for the increase in RUE under shade compared with full sun: (i) preferential partition of assimilates to shoot rather than root growth and/or (ii) leaves under shade were still operating at an efficient part of the photosynthetic light curve. The changes proposed for the canopy Pn model were appropriate to simulate the radiation environment of an agroforestry system. However, the model underestimated DM yields under the continuous and intermittent shade regimes. These were considered to be mainly associated with plant factors, such as overestimation in maintenance respiration and partitioning between shoots and roots in shade and the intermittency light effect on leaf Pn rates. Further investigation in these topics must be addressed to accurately predict crop yield in agroforestry areas. Overall, the lucerne crop responded typically as a sun-adapted plant under shade. It was concluded that lucerne yield potential to grow under intermediate shade was superior to most of C3 pastures previously promoted in the literature.

No description available.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important calcium source for human diet, thus the evaluation of the calcium use efficiency in common bean a relevant tool for crop sustainability. The aims of this study were to evaluate the response in common bean cultivars with different calcium concentrations in nutrient solution on dry matter production, yield components and calcium, potassium and magnesium accumulations; to investigate the association between these characters; to evaluate the genetic variability of lines for calcium availability in the solution; and identify lines of common bean-efficient and responsive to calcium application by different indexes. For this, three experiments were conducted from March 2011 to July 2012 in greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, in splitplots. In the first two experiments were tested calcium concentrations in nutrient solution from 1.10 to 4.95 mmol L-1 as components of the main plot and the BRS Expedito, Carioca and Iraí cultivars on subplots in the first experiment, with the exclusion of the cultivar Iraí in the second experiment. The third experiment evaluated the efficiency and the response of the calcium use of 12 different common bean lines at low (1.10 mmol L-1) and high (3.85 mmol L-1) calcium concentrations in the nutrient solution. Higher values for dry matter and grain yield components were observed for 3.30 mmol L-1 and 4.95 mmol L-1 calcium concentrations in the solution. The common bean cultivars acumulate greater quantity of calcium in the leaves, followed by stems, pods and grains. Highest accumulation of calcium in the leaves was obtained at a 4.95 mmol L-1 calcium concentration in the nutrient solution, and the calcium concentration in the leaves was 21 times higher than the value obtained in the bean grains. The increase of calcium concentration in the nutrient solution up to the concentration of 4.95 mmol L-1 does not change the absorption and the accumulation of potassium and magnesium in leaves and grains. Indirect selection by greater dry matter and higher values of the variables that form the grain yield in common bean will be efficient to increase the accumulation of calcium in grains. The lines L 15, L 234, L 246 and L 77 respond to the increase on calcium supply in the solution, because more calcium accumulates in grain in the cultivation with high calcium concentration. The lines L 246 and L 15 are calcium use efficient in the plant, in the acquisition and grain production, and are not responsive to calcium application. The line L 77 is calcium use efficient in the plant and in the grain production and is responsive to the calcium application in the nutrient solution. / O feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é uma importante fonte de cálcio para a alimentação humana, sendo a avaliação da eficiência no uso de cálcio em feijão uma ferramenta relevante para a sustentabilidade da cultura. Foram objetivos desse trabalho avaliar a resposta de cultivares de feijão a diferentes concentrações de cálcio em solução nutritiva na produção de massa seca, nos componentes da produtividade de grãos e no acúmulo de cálcio, potássio e magnésio; investigar a associação entre esses caracteres; avaliar a variabilidade genética de linhagens de feijão quanto a disponibilidade de cálcio na solução e identificar linhagens eficientes no uso de cálcio e responsivas a aplicação deste mineral por diferentes índices. Para isso foram realizados três experimentos no período de março de 2011 a julho de 2012, em casa-devegetação, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com parcelas subdivididas. Nos dois primeiros experimentos foram testadas concentrações de cálcio na solução nutritiva de 1,10 a 4,95 mmol L-1 como componentes da parcela principal e as cultivares BRS Expedito, Carioca e Iraí nas subparcelas no primeiro experimento, com a exclusão da cultivar Iraí para o segundo experimento. No terceiro experimento foram avaliadas a eficiência no uso e a resposta de 12 linhagens de feijão em baixa (1,10 mmol L-1) e em alta (3,85 mmol L-1) concentração de cálcio na solução nutritiva. Maiores valores para massa seca e para os componentes da produtividade de grãos foram observados para as concentrações de 3,30 mmol L-1 e de 4,95 mmol L-1. As cultivares de feijão acumulam maior quantidade de cálcio nas folhas, seguido pelos caules, vagens e grãos. Maior acúmulo de cálcio nas folhas foi obtido na concentração de 4,95 mmol L-1 de cálcio na solução nutritiva, quando a concentração de cálcio nas folhas é 21 vezes superior ao valor obtido nos grãos de feijão. O aumento da concentração de cálcio na solução nutritiva até a concentração de 4,95 mmol L-1 não altera a absorção e o acúmulo de potássio e de magnésio nas folhas e nos grãos de feijão. A seleção indireta pela maior massa seca de parte aérea e maiores valores das variáveis que formam a produtividade de grãos em feijão será eficiente para aumentar o acúmulo de cálcio nos grãos de feijão. As linhagens L 15, L 234, L 246 e L 77 respondem ao aumento do suprimento de cálcio na solução, pois acumulam mais cálcio nos grãos em cultivo com alta concentração deste mineral. As linhagens L 246 e L 15 são eficientes no uso de cálcio na planta, na aquisição de cálcio e na produção de grãos, e não são responsivas à aplicação de cálcio. A linhagem L 77 é eficiente no uso de cálcio na planta e na produção de grãos e é responsiva à aplicação de cálcio na solução nutritiva.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The objective of this research was to evaluate the productivity and nutritive value of elephant grass pastures, subjected to conventional and organic production system. In the conventional system elephant grass was planted in rows 1.2 m apart from each other. In the organic system elephant grass was planted in rows 3 m apart from each other. In the space between rows, in cool season, annual ryegrass was sown; allowing the development of spontaneous growing species in the warm season. It was applied 100 kg of N/ha from chemical and organic fertilizers (manure of cattle and pig slurry) in the respective pastures. The grazing method was rotated with time to occupy the two days. Holstein cows receiving 0.9% of body weight complementary concentrate feed were used. Pre and post grazing forage mass, botanical and structural composition, forage production and stocking rate were evaluated. Hand-plucked samples were collected to analyze chemical composition and digestibility. Experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments (forage systems), three replicates (paddocks) and repeated measures (mean values of grazing cycles or season). Eight and seven grazing cycles were performed during the experimental period for respective systems. Organic system present best forage distribution thought the year and highest participation of elephant grass leaf blades on herbage mass. The pasture under conventional system presented higher forage mass and stocking rate. Similar value was found in the chemical composition and digestibility of elephant grass pastures in both pasture systems. The organic as much as conventional system showed high qualitative values considering the fertilization, manage and utilization time, in proposed strategy. The results show that the elephant grass can be used under the organic system proposed. / Objetivou-se com esta pesquisa avaliar a produtividade e o valor nutritivo de pastagens de capim elefante submetidas aos sistemas de produção orgânico e convencional. No sistema convencional, o capim elefante foi plantado em linhas afastadas a cada 1,2 m. No sistema orgânico, o capim elefante foi plantado em linhas afastadas a cada 3 m; no espaço entre as linhas, no período hibernal, foi semeado o azevém anual e, no período estival, permitiu-se o desenvolvimento de espécies de crescimento espontâneo. Foram utilizados 100 kg de N/ha com fertilizantes químico e orgânico (esterco de bovino e chorume de suínos) para os respectivos sistemas de produção. O método de pastejo adotado foi o rotacionado, com tempo de ocupação de um ou dois dias, utilizando vacas em lactação que receberam complementação alimentar com concentrado à razão de 0,9% do peso vivo. Foram avaliados a massa de forragem de pré-pastejo e pós-pastejo, composições botânica e estrutural, taxa de desaparecimento, e de acúmulo, produção de forragem e carga animal. Para a determinação da composição química e digestibilidade da forragem, foram retiradas amostras simulando o pastejo. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos (sistemas forrageiros), com três repetições (piquetes) e com medidas repetidas (valores médios dos pastejos em cada ciclo ou estação do ano). Durante o período experimental, foram conduzidos oito e sete pastejos para os respectivos sistemas. Na pastagem sob o sistema orgânico, houve melhor distribuição de forragem e maior participação de lâminas foliares do capim elefante na massa de forragem. Na pastagem sob o sistema convencional, verificaram-se maiores valores de produção de forragem e carga animal. Valores similares foram observados quanto à composição química e digestibilidade do capim elefante em ambos os sistemas. Na estratégia proposta, tanto no sistema orgânico quanto no convencional apresentaram teores qualitativos elevados, considerando-se a adubação, manejo e tempo de utilização. Os resultados demonstram que o capim elefante pode ser utilizado segundo o sistema de produção orgânico proposto.

Plant functional traits (plant height, aboveground biomass, R/S ratio, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, specific root length and arbuscular mycorrhizal infection) were measured for several grassland plant species growing under different soil fertility conditions in a greenhouse and a field experiments. Traits` response to nutrient addition and the differences in traits among species and between forbs and grasses were studied. Results from the greenhouse and the field experiment were compared.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:33:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Tatiane_Kuka_Valente_Gandra.pdf: 6435645 bytes, checksum: d575f0c3d4782ff59377ccfc558b3d8a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-23 / The strawberry crop presents great importance for the Horticulture sector of the Southern part of Rio Grande do Sul due to its high yield and economic income, once the fruit has guaranteed market and high marketable price. Hydroponic cultivation allows optimizing the greenhouse vertical area, leading to a higher yield, reduces the diseases occurrence and also makes easier crop management and, as a consequence, enhances farmer life quality. However, there are few studies on the adaptation of the crop to this cultivation system, especially focusing concentrations of the nutrient solution and, overall, plant densities. Aiming to study growth, yield and fruit quality of strawberry crop in hydroponics system, two trials were conducted in a plastic greenhouse at Universidade Federal de Pelotas , RS. NFT (nutrient film technique) hydroponic system was employed. It consists of cement tiles cultivation benches. The first trial aimed to study different ionic concentrations of the nutrient solution for cultivar Camarosa and was replicated in two consecutive years (2009/2010). The analyzed experimental factor was the nutrient solution electrical conductivity (EC) at four levels: 0.9, 1.5, 2.1, 2.7dS m-1 (2009) and five levels: 0.7, 1.2, 1.7, 2.2, 2.7 dS m-1 (2010). The second trial was conducted in order to verify the effect of different plant densities on cultivar Camino Real. The experimental factor was plant density at four levels: 15.0, 12.5, 10.7, and 9.3 plants m-2. Fresh and dry matter of leaves, crown, roots and fruit, leaf area, fruit number and average fruit weight were evaluated. Samples of fruits were analyzed regarding to total soluble solids content (TSS), titratable total acidity (TTA)  for both trials of 2010  concentrations of anthocyanins, L-ascorbic acid, total phenolics compounds and 12 antioxidant capacity only for EC trial in 2010. The obtained results of the first trial indicated that EC from 1.2 to 1.5dS m-1 promotes plant growth and fruit yield. Growth and yield decreased when EC is below or above these values. The fruits total soluble solids content, antocyanin and L-ascorbic acid concentrations were increased at 1.7dS m-1 EC. The concentration of total phenolic compounds was increased reducing the EC to 1.2dS m-1. While soluble solids, anthocyanin and L-ascorbic acid content, respectively, decreased by 17, 17 and 15%, fruit yield was increased by 52% and phenolic compounds concentration by 22 %, when the EC decreased from 1.7 to 1.2dS m-1.The average fruit weight was reduced with increasing EC in 2009 and it was not affected in 2010, as well as the acidity and the antioxidant capacity. We can conclude that nutrient solution from 1.2 to 1.5 dS m-1 EC can be used to achieve higher yieldy, without great losses in fruit quality of cultivar Camarosa grown in NFT hydroponic system. The results obtained from the second trial indicated that growth and yield of individual plants of strawberry cultivar Camino Real was not affect by increasing plant density in the rage from 9.3 to 15.0 plants m-2. Growth and yield per square meter, as well as chemical characteristics related to the organoleptic quality of fruits (TSS and TSS/TTA), present linear response to increasing plant density. We suggest the adoption of the plant density of 12.5 plants m-2, which provides high yield, with appropriate organoleptic characteristics of fruits, and reduction in the number of plants required in relation to 15.0 plants m-2 plant density. However, it is necessary to carry out additional studies on cultivar Camino Real in order to promote changes in the system and its management and check the economic feasibility of its cultivation in hydroponics. / A cultura do morangueiro possui grande importância para o setor hortigranjeiro da Região Sul do Rio Grande do Sul, pois permite atingir altas produtividades e alto rendimento econômico, uma vez que as frutas tem mercado garantido e um alto valor. O cultivo hidropônico permite a otimização do espaço vertical do ambiente protegido, resultando em maior produtividade, diminuindo a ocorrência de doenças e, ainda, facilitando os tratos culturais e beneficiando a qualidade de vida do agricultor. Porém, há poucos estudos sobre a adaptação da cultura a este tipo de sistema de produção, principalmente em se tratando de concentrações da solução nutritiva e, sobretudo, de densidades de plantio. Com o objetivo de se estudar o crescimento, a produtividade e a qualidade das frutas de morangueiro em sistema hidropônico, dois experimentos foram realizados em condições de estufa plástica, no Campus da Universidade Federal de Pelotas, RS. O sistema hidropônico empregado era do tipo NFT (técnica da lâmina de nutrientes), constituído de bancadas de cultivo construídas com telhas de fibrocimento. O primeiro experimento teve o objetivo de estudar diferentes concentrações iônicas da solução nutritiva para a cultivar Camarosa e foi repetido em dois anos consecutivos (2009/2010). O fator experimental estudado foi a condutividade elétrica da solução nutritiva (CE) em quatro níveis: 0,9; 1,5; 2,1; 2,7dS m-1 (2009); e cinco níveis: 0,7; 1,2; 1,7; 2,2 e 2,7 dS m-1 (2010). O segundo experimento foi conduzido a fim de verificar o efeito de 9 diferentes densidades de plantio sobre a cultivar Camino Real. O fator experimental estudado foi a densidade de plantio em quatro níveis: 15,0; 12,5; 10,7 e 9,3 plantas m-2. Avaliaram-se a matéria fresca e seca de folhas, coroa, raízes e frutas, a área foliar, o número de frutas e o peso médio das frutas. Amostras das frutas foram analisadas em relação ao teor de sólidos solúveis totais (SST), à acidez total titulável (ATT)  em ambos os experimentos realizados em 2010, às concentrações de antocianinas, ácido L-ascórbico, compostos fenólicos totais e à capacidade antioxidante  somente no experimento sobre CE, em 2010. Os resultados obtidos no primeiro experimento indicam que a CE entre 1,2 e 1,5dS m-1 favoreceu o crescimento da planta e a produtividade das frutas. O crescimento e a produtividade diminuíram quando a CE foi mantida abaixo ou acima destes valores. Os teores de SST, de antocianinas e de ácido L-ascórbico das frutas foram aumentados com a elevação da CE para 1,7dS m-1. A concentração de compostos fenólicos totais elevou-se com a diminuição da CE para 1,2dS m-1. Enquanto os teores de SST, de antocianinas e de ácido L-ascórbico, respectivamente, diminuíram em 17, 17 e 15%, a produtividade foi aumentada em 52% e a concentração de compostos fenólicos totais em 22%, quando a CE diminuiu de 1,7 para 1,2dS m-1. O peso médio das frutas foi reduzido com a elevação da CE em 2009 e não foi afetado em 2010, assim como a ATT e a capacidade antioxidante. Conclui-se que a solução nutritiva com CE entre 1,2 e 1,5dS m-1 pode ser indicada para obter maior produtividade, sem grandes perdas na qualidade das frutas da cultivar Camarosa em sistema hidropônico NFT. Os resultados obtidos no segundo experimento indicam que o crescimento e a produtividade individual das plantas da cultivar de morangueiro Camino Real não foram afetados pela elevação da densidade de plantio, no intervalo entre 9,3 e 15,0 plantas m-2. O crescimento e a produtividade por unidade de área, bem como as características químicas relacionadas à qualidade organoléptica das frutas (concentração de SST e relação SST/ATT), apresentaram resposta linear ao incremento da densidade de plantio. Sugere-se a adoção da densidade de plantio de 12,5 plantas m-2, que proporciona rendimento elevado e frutas com adequadas características organolépticas e redução no número de mudas necessárias, em relação à densidade de 15,0 plantas m-2. Porém, existe a necessidade de desenvolver novos estudos com a cultivar Camino Real, a fim de promover adaptações no sistema e seu manejo e verificar a viabilidade econômica de seu cultivo em hidroponia.

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / The objective of the study was to determine the effects of fertilisation with bio-digester slurry and the inclusion of carbohydrate additives at ensiling on the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, ruminal degradability, and in vitro digestibility of Napier grass silage. Napier grass planted at the School of Agriculture Experimental Farm, University of Venda in 5 m x 4 m plots replicated three times in a completely randomised design and was irrigated with either biodigester slurry or no bio-digester slurry (tap water) for a period of 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, the Napier was freshly cut and ensiled for 90 days in 1 litre glass jars in a 2 (Control - tap water and slurry irrigation) x 4 (No additive, molasses, maize meal and brown sugar) factorial arrangement. Fermentation quality and nutritive composition were determined using standard protocols. The dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) ruminal degradability was determined in sacco by incubating feed samples in nylon bags (external dimension: 6 × 12 cm, pore size of 46 μm) in the rumen in three Bonsmara steers fitted with rumen cannulae for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours (h). Parameters to describe the dynamics of ruminal degradability of DM and CP were obtained by fitting the data on the exponential equation P = a + b (1 - e-ct) using the NEWAY computer program, where “a” is the rapidly degradable fraction, “b” is the slowly degradable fraction and “c” is the outflow rate. The in vitro DM and CP degradability of rumen undegradable residue collected after 12, 24 and 48 h incubation was determined by sequential digestion in pepsin (abomasal) and pancreatin (small intestine) solutions. Fertilisation with bio-digester slurry increased (P <0.05) CP content of fresh cut Napier grass pre-ensilage. Bio-digester slurry fertilisation with molasses inclusion improved (P <0.05) the silage DM content which improved (P >0.05) fermentation characteristics with pH of 4.2 and lowest NH3-N of 13.3 g/kg. Other chemical compositions and fermentation characteristics were not affected (P >0.05) due to fertilisation x additives treatment combinations. No bio-digester slurry fertilisation with maize meal inclusion increased (P <0.01) DM degradability at 0 h incubation. As time progressed to 24 h, no biodigester slurry fertilisation with no additive included reduced (P <0.01) DM degradability with no difference (P >0.05) on other treatments. Potential DM degradability (a + b) of no bio-digester slurry fertilisation with no additive inclusion silage was reduced (P <0.01). The reduction was associated with low levels (P <0.01) of slowly degradable fraction “b”. In vitro DM and CP digestibility were not affected (P >0.05) due to fertilisation x additives treatment combinations. In conclusion, bio-digester slurry application improved the quality of fresh cut Napier grass, with the combination of bio-digester slurry fertilisation and molasses addition yielding the best silage quality.