O manejo nutricional adequado é fator determinante na produtividade e na qualidade dos frutos de macieira. Dentre os métodos para diagnóstico nutricional das plantas, destacam-se o critério de faixa de suficiência e o sistema integrado de diagnose e recomendação (DRIS). Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o DRIS como método de interpretação de resultados de análises de folhas de plantas de macieira, estabelecendo normas adequadas para a cultura, e compará-lo com o método de diagnose nutricional, baseado no critério de faixa de suficiência, atualmente utilizado no Sul do Brasil. Buscou-se determinar, também a melhor época de amostragem de folhas de macieira para a aplicação do método DRIS. O estudo foi realizado na região produtora de maçã dos Campos de Cima da Serra, no Rio Grande do Sul, e nas regiões do Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe e Planalto Serrano, em Santa Catarina, em 70 pomares selecionados quanto à produtividade e técnicas de manejo do pomar, onde foram obtidas informações sobre a produtividade, espaçamento, porta-enxertos e realizada a amostragem de folhas e solo. Foram determinadas as concentrações de nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio, cálcio, magnésio, boro, cobre, ferro, manganês e zinco nas amostras de folhas e os valores de pH e os teores de matéria orgânica, fósforo, potássio, cálcio e magnésio nas amostras de solos. Também foram utilizados resultados de experimentos de adubação potássica e nitrogenada para avaliar a eficiência dos métodos DRIS, bem como de resultados de sazonalidade de nutrientes em três cultivares de macieira, para avaliar a época adequada de coleta de folhas para o método DRIS. Os índices DRIS foram calculados utilizando-se dois critérios para a escolha da ordem da razão dos nutrientes (Letzsch, 1985 e Walworth et al., 1986; Nick, 1998) e três formas de cálculo das funções dos nutrientes (Beaufils, 1973; Jones, 1981; Elwali & Gascho, 1984). Os resultados indicaram que: (i) A concentração dos nutrientes apresentou correlação positiva e significativa (p<0,01) com os respectivos índices DRIS, com exceção do N; (ii) O critério do "valor F" (Letzsch, 1985 e Walworth et al., 1986) mostrou-se mais eficiente que o "valor R" (Nick, 1998) para a escolha da ordem da razão dos nutrientes para a cultura da macieira; (iii) O Índice de Balanço Nutricional (IBN), calculado a partir das normas geradas, apresentou correlação negativa e significativa (p<0,01) com a produtividade para a população de referência, em todas as combinações de métodos testados; (iv) O método DRIS descrito por Elwali & Gascho (1984), utilizando o "valor F", quando comparado com o critério de faixas de suficiência, apresentou diagnóstico nutricional mais eficiente que os demais métodos de cálculo do DRIS; (v) O método de cálculo do DRIS, com base no somatório das funções, descrito por Elwali & Gascho (1984), utilizando o "valor F" é o mais indicado para a cultura da macieira, por apresentar valores de IBN que melhor indicam o estado nutricional das plantas e pela eficiência no diagnóstico nutricional da cultura; (vi) A melhor época de coleta de folhas para o método DRIS esta situada entre a quinta e a décima quinta semana após a plena floração; (vii) As normas DRIS geradas neste trabalho foram adequadas para o diagnóstico nutricional da macieira, para as condições do Sul do Brasil. / The appropriate nutritional management is a decisive factor in fruit productivity and quality of apple trees. Among the several methods for nutritional diagnosis of the plants, the most important are the sufficiency range approach and the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS). The objective of this work was evaluate DRIS as an interpretation method of results of analyses of apple tree leaves, establishing appropriate norms for the culture and comparing it with the sufficiency range approach currently used in the Southern Brazil, and determine the best sampling time of apple tree leaves for the application of the DRIS method. The study was carried out in the apple producing area of Campos de Cima da Serra (RS, Brazil), and in the areas of Alto Vale do Rio do Peixe and Planalto Serrano (SC, Brazil), in 70 orchards selected on basis of productivity and management techniques, where information on productivity, spacing, rootstock was obtained and leaf and soil sampling were performed. The concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc were determined in the leaf samples as well as the pH values and the concentrations of organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the samples of soils. Results of fertilization experiments with potassium and nitrogen were also used to evaluate the efficiency of DRIS methods, as well as results of nutrient seasonally in three apple tree cultivars, to evaluate the appropriate leaf collection time for the DRIS method. The DRIS indices were calculated using two criteria to choose the order of the nutrient ratio (Letzsch, 1985 and Walworth et al., 1986; Nick, 1998) and three forms of calculating of the nutrient functions (Beaufils, 1973; Jones, 1981; Elwali & Gascho, 1984). The results indicated that: (i) the nutrient concentration presented positive and significant correlation (p<0.01) with the respective DRIS indices, except for N; (ii) the criterion of the "F value" (Letzsch, 1985 and Walworth et al., 1986) was shown to be more efficient than the "R value" (Nick, 1998) to choose the order of the nutrient ratio for apple tree culture; (iii) the Nutritional Balance Index (NBI), calculated from the generated norms, presented a negative and significant correlation (p <0.01) with productivity for the reference population in all combinations of methods tested; (iv) the DRIS method described by Elwali & Gascho (1984), using the "F value", when compared with the sufficiency range approach, presented a more efficient nutritional diagnosis than the other methods of DRIS calculation; (v) the method of DRIS calculation, based on the sum of the functions, described by Elwali & Gascho (1984), using the "F value" is the most suitable for apple tree culture, for presenting NBI values that best indicate the nutritional state of the plants and for the efficiency in the nutritional diagnosis of the culture; (vi) the best leaf sampling time for the DRIS method is between the fifth and the fifteenth week after full blossom; (vii) The DRIS norms generated in this work were appropriate for the nutritional diagnosis of apple trees, for the conditions of Southern Brazil.

Trabalhos recentes vêm tentando resolver as relações filogenéticas na subordem Portulacineae. A família Portulacaceae, como tradicionalmente circunscrita, não constituía um grupo monofilético e recentemente foi desmembrada em diversas famílias menores. Algumas destas famílias, juntamente à família Cactaceae, formam o clado ACPT (Anacampsetotaceae, Cactaceae, Portulacaceae e Talinaceae), sustentado principalmente por dados moleculares, sendo poucos os caracteres morfológicos e anatômicos reconhecidos como sinapomorfias. A presente dissertação teve como objetivo documentar a anatomia e o desenvolvimento de folhas e da região da axila foliar em espécies de Portulacaceae e Talinaceae, discutindo os resultados com a literatura existente para outros grupos do clado ACPT. Técnicas usuais em anatomia vegetal foram usadas para analisar folhas e regiões nodais do ápice e base do caule. Como principais resultados, pudemos observar diversos caracteres presentes na região da axila foliar que representam homologias primárias dentro do clado ACPT. Além disso, descrevemos diferentes padrões de desenvolvimento foliar, relacionados especialmente com a atividade do meristema marginal, levando a diferentes morfologias foliares. Acreditamos que os dados aqui obtidos sejam relevantes para uma melhor compreensão da evolução das diferentes linhagens do clado ACPT, e que futuros estudos, abordando outros grupos com maiores detalhes, poderão testar estas hipóteses de homologias primárias aqui propostas. / Recent works attempt to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within suborder Portulacineae. The family Portulacaceae, as traditionally circunscribed, is not monophyletic, and was recently split into several smaller families. Some of these families, along with Cactaceae, form the ACPT clade (Anacampsetotaceae, Cactaceae, Portulacaceae and Talinaceae), sustained mainly by molecular data. Few morphological and anatomical synapomorphies are known for the group. This dissertation aims to investigate the anatomy and development of leaves and leaf axils in species of Portulacaceae and Talinaceae, discussing the results with existing literature for other groups of the ACPT clade. Usual techniques of plant anatomy were used to examine leaves and nodal regions of apical and basal portions of stems. As main results, we observed several characters present in the region of leaf axil that represent primary homologies within ACPT clade. In addition, we describe different patterns of leaf development, especially related to the activity of the marginal meristem leading to different leaf morphologies. We believe that these data are relevant to a better understanding of the evolution in different lineages of the ACPT clade. Future studies, addressing other groups in greater detail, will be able to test these hypotheses of primary homologies proposed here.

O manejo nutricional é um dos fatores que interferem na qualidade da gérbera de corte e na longevidade pós-colheita desta flor. Muitos trabalhos têm demonstrado o sucesso da aplicação de cálcio e silício na qualidade de diversas culturas, incluindo flores de corte, como é o caso do crisântemo e do girassol. Dessa forma, o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação via foliar de Ca e Si no crescimento, desenvolvimento, produção e aspectos da longevidade póscolheita de gérbera de corte. O experimento foi conduzido em estufa comercial no período compreendido entre setembro de 2009 a junho de 2010, em Holambra, SP. Aplicações foliares semanais com soluções contendo 0; 23,75; 47,5 e 95 mg L-1 de Ca e 0; 42,8; 85,6 e 171,2 mg L-1 de Si foram realizadas a partir de 49 dias após o transplante das mudas, em esquema fatorial (4x4), num total de 16 tratamentos, distribuídos em blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. A partir do início das aplicações foi registrado semanalmente o número de hastes florais. No final da fase vegetativa, foram avaliados o número de folhas, a área foliar, a massa fresca, a massa seca e os teores de nutrientes nas folhas. O crescimento e a produção da gérbera na fase reprodutiva, em fevereiro e junho de 2010, foram avaliados pelo número de folhas, área foliar, massas fresca e seca das folhas, além da massa fresca e massa seca das hastes florais. Nesses mesmos períodos, também foram determinados os teores de nutrientes nas folhas e hastes florais, curvatura da haste no período pós-colheita, longevidade pós-colheita, perda de massa fresca da haste floral, além da qualidade das hastes florais em seu ponto de colheita. A qualidade comercial foi avaliada através do diâmetro e comprimento da haste, diâmetro do capítulo e coloração das pétalas (L*, C* e Hue). Aos 204 dias após o transplante das mudas, o diâmetro do capítulo aumentou com a aplicação de Si, na presença de 95 mg L-1 de Ca. Na pós-colheita, a redução da perda de massa fresca da haste foi máxima com a aplicação de 73,7 mg L-1 de Ca, na ausência de Si ou com a aplicação de 128 mg L-1 de Si, na ausência de Ca. / Nutritional management is one of the factors that affect cut gerbera quality and longevity of postharvest flower. Many studies have demonstrated the successful calcium and silicon application in the quality of numerous crops, including cut flowers, such as chrysanthemum and sunflower. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the foliar application effect of Ca and Si in the growth, development, production and some postharvest longevity aspects of cut gerbera. The experiment was conducted in a commercial greenhouse in the period between September 2009 and June 2010 in Holambra, São Paulo, Brazil. Weekly foliar applications containing 0, 23.75, 47.5 and 95 mg Ca L-1 and 0, 42.8, 85.6 and 171.2 mg L-1 of Si solutions were carried out 49 days after seedling transplanting in a factorial scheme (4x4), a total of 16 treatments distributed in a randomized block design with three replications. At the beginning of the application, weekly it was registered number of flower stems. At the end of the vegetative phase, it was evaluated number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of leaves and nutrient content in leaves. Gerbera growth and production in the reproductive phase, in February and June 2010 were evaluated by the number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry leave mass, and fresh and dry weight of flower stems. In those periods, it was also determined nutrient contents in leaves and flower stems, stem curvature in the postharvest period, vase longevity and fresh mass loss, besides flower stem quality on its harvest point. The commercial quality was evaluated by the diameter and length stem, flower diameter and petals coloration (L *, C * and Hue). At 204 days after transplanting, the flower diameter increased with Si application in presence of 95 mg L-1 Ca. In postharvest, reduction of fresh mass floral stem loss was maximum with the application of 73.7 mg L-1 Ca in the absence of Si or with the application of 128 mg L-1 of Si in the absence of Ca.

Os estudos de adubação com zinco foliar em citros desenvolvidos no Brasil são na maioria das vezes limitados às informações das quantidades dos nutrientes absorvidos pelas folhas, porém o transporte do zinco das folhas para outras partes das plantas ainda precisa ser esclarecido. A maioria das investigações sobre tal assunto é vasta de resultados conflitantes. Em vista disso, o uso da técnica com isótopos estáveis é uma ferramenta viável para auxiliar na determinação direta da absorção e translocação de zinco aplicado via foliar no citros. O presente estudo tem como objetivos determinar (i) os teores de zinco nas folhas durante três dias após a pulverização; na fase de floração e frutificação do citros: (ii) teores e acúmulos de zinco nas folhas e frutos; (iii) concentração de zinco nos pluviolixiviados das folhas; (v) absorção e translocação do zinco proveniente das fontes nas folhas; (vi) translocação do zinco proveniente das fontes nos frutos; (vi) concentrações de zinco nos pluviolixiviados das folhas provenientes das fontes.Foram conduzidos dois experimentos na Estação Experimental de Citricultura de Bebedouro-SP. No primeiro experimento foram avalidas cinco fontes foliares de zinco, EDTA, sulfato, fosfito, quelado aminoácido (AA) e cloreto. No segundo foram avaliadas três fontes enriquecidas com 68Zn, EDTA, fosfito e sulfato, pulverizada na fase de floração e frutificação do citros. Para determinar os pluviolixiviados das folhas nos dois experimentos, colocaram-se recipientes plásticos embaixo das árvores. No experimento 1, todas as fontes aumentaram os teores foliares de Zn. O cloreto de zinco elevou os teores nas folhas novas, frutos novos e maduros. Observou-se que houve lavagem do zinco das folhas pelas chuvas, porém independe da fonte aplicada e depende do tempo decorrido depois da aplicação. Há perda de 11% do zinco aplicado nas folhas pela água da chuva. O zinco proveniente da fonte EDTA foi maior nas folhas novas e frutos novos, colhidos na fase de floração. Na fase de frutificação para os frutos maduros não houve diferença entre o zinco proveniente das fontes. / Studies of zinc fertilization on citrus foliar developed in Brazil are mostly limited to information of the nutrients quantities absorbed by the leaves, but the zinc transport of the leaves to other parts of the plants need to be clarified. Most investigations on this subject is vast array of conflicting results. As a result, the use of stable isotope technique is a viable tool to assist in the direct determination of zinc uptake and translocation of foliar application in citrus.The present study has as objective to determine: (i) the levels of zinc in leaves during three days after spraying, at flowering and fruiting stage of citrus; (ii) levels and accumulation of zinc in leaves and fruits; (iii) concentration of zinc in rainfall leached of the leaves; (iv) uptake and translocation of zinc from the sources in the leaves; (v) translocation of zinc from the sources in the fruits; (vi) rainfall leached zinc concentrations of the leaves from those sources. Two experiments were conducted at the Experimental Station of Citrus - Bebedouro - SP. In the first experiment were evaluated five foliar sources of zinc, EDTA, sulfate, phosphite, chelated amino acid (AA) and chloride. In the second were evaluated three sources enriched with 68Zn, EDTA, phosphite and sulfate sprayed at flowering and fruiting of citrus. To determine the rainfall leached of the leaves in both experiments, plastic containers were placed under the trees. In experiment 1, all sources increased foliar concentrations of Zn. The zinc chloride increased the levels in young leaves, young fruit and mature. It was observed that there washing of the zinc in the leaves by rain, but independent of the applied source and depends on the time elapsed after application. There is loss 11% of zinc applied to the leaves by rainwater. Zinc from the source EDTA was greater in young leaves and fruits, harvested at flowering stage. During fruiting for the ripe fruit there was no difference among the zinc from the sources.

Devido aos problemas de deficiência de Mn relatados em soja Roundup Ready, à tendência de aumento de cultivo da soja Intacta RR2 PRO&reg; no Brasil e à possibilidade de aumento de rendimentos desta soja relacionado à resposta a adubação foliar com Mn, realizou-se o presente trabalho. Este foi dividido em dois estudos em casa de vegetação (estudos I e II) e um em campo (estudo III). Cada estudo foi realizado em dois solos (um com alto teor de Mn e outro com baixo teor de Mn), avaliando-se os resultados de cada um separadamente. Estudo I: Dois experimentos foram realizados em delineamento em blocos aleatorizados, com quatro repetições e em esquema fatorial 2 × 6 × 4 com parcela subdividida no tempo. Formaram-se 48 tratamentos pela combinação de dois níveis do fator soja (cultivada sem ou com glifosato) e seis do fator fonte do nutriente (sem Mn ou Controle, Cloreto, Sulfato, Carbonato, EDTA e Citrato) alocados nas parcelas principais, e de quatro níveis do fator tempo (4, 24, 48 e 72 h após a aplicação do fertilizante) alocados nas subparcelas. Cada tratamento foi aplicado com uma haste flexível de algodão nas folhas e nos três primeiros trifólios (trifólios tratados) da planta de soja em estádio V4. Avaliou-se a absorção foliar de Mn através da determinação de massa de matéria seca, teor e conteúdo de Mn dos trifólios tratados e da haste de plantas de soja ainda em estádio V4. Estudo II: Dois experimentos foram realizados em delineamento em blocos aleatorizados, com quatro repetições e em esquema fatorial 2 × 6. Formaram-se 12 tratamentos pela combinação de dois níveis do fator soja e seis níveis do fator fonte do nutriente. Cada tratamento foi aplicado nos trifólios tratados da planta de soja em estádio V4. Avaliou-se a distribuição foliar de Mn através da determinação de massa de matéria seca, teor e conteúdo de Mn dos trifólios tratados, hastes, trifólios formados após a aplicação dos tratamentos (trifólios não tratados), vagens e grãos de plantas de soja em estádio R8. Estudo III: Realizaram-se dois experimentos em delineamento similar ao do estudo II, mas com seis blocos. Cada tratamento foi aplicado com pulverizador de pressão constante sobre a parte aérea de plantas de soja em estádio V4. Avaliou-se a massa de matéria seca, teor e conteúdo de Mn das hastes, vagens e grãos de plantas de soja em estádio R8. Foram avaliados também componentes de produção e rendimento de grãos. A quantidade absorvida de Mn é dependente da fonte utilizada e a fonte Cloreto foi a que proporcionou maior absorção de Mn, enquanto a fonte EDTA, apresentou maior eficiência em aumentar o conteúdo de Mn das hastes logo após a aplicação. O Mn aplicado nos trifólios pode ser redistribuído desta parte para outras da planta, embora aparentemente em pequenas quantidades, e até o final do ciclo da soja estará em maior proporção nos trifólios tratados. A soja tratada com Mn não apresentou grãos com maior acúmulo deste, mas na soja cultivada no \"solo -Mn\" e sem glifosato o conteúdo de Mn foi maior do que na soja com glifosato. Em termos de produtividade de grãos, a adubação foliar com Mn em aplicação única na soja no estádio V4 recebendo ou não aplicação de glifosato e cultivada em solo originalmente com alto teor de Mn não proporcionou diferenças. / Due to Mn deficiency problems related to Roundup Ready soybean, the tendency to increase cultivation of Intacta RR2 PROTM soybeans in Brazil and to the possibility of increased yield of this related to the response to Mn foliar fertilization, this work was carried out. It was divided into two greenhouse studies (I and II) and one in the field (study III). Each study was performed in two soils (one with high content of Mn and the other with low content), evaluating the results of each one separately. Study I: the two trials carried out by using factorial split-plot design, with three factors in four replications in randomized complete block design (RCBD). Soybean factor with two levels (without and with glyphosate) and Mn source factor with six levels (Control, Chloride, Sulphate, Carbonate, EDTA and Citrate), both distributed in factorial form into main plots and time factor (4, 24, 48 and 72 h after fertilizer application) distributed in the sub-plots. Each treatment was applied with a swab in the unifoliate leaves and the first three trifoliates (treated trifoliates) of soybean in V4 stage. Mn foliar absorption was determined by dry matter mass, concentration and content of Mn of treated trifoliates and stem of soybean plants in the V4 stage. Study II: The two trials carried out by using 2 × 6 factorial with four replications in RCBD. Soybean factor with two levels and Mn fertilizer source factor with six levels. Each treatment was applied to the treated trifoliates of the V4 soybean plant. the leaf distribution of Mn was determined by the dry matter mass, concentration and Mn content of the treated trifoliates, stems, trifoliates formed after the application of the treatments (untreated trifoliates), pods and grains of soybean plants in the R8 stage. Study III: Two experiments were carried out in a similar design of study II, but with six replications. Each treatment was applied with a constant pressure sprayer on the above ground part of V4 soybean plants. The foliar Mn was evaluated by determining the dry matter mass, content and Mn content of the stems, pods and grains of soybean plants at stage R8. Production components and grain yield were also evaluated. The absorbed amount of Mn is dependent on the source used and the Chloride is the one that provided the highest Mn absorption, but sources such as EDTA showed a higher efficiency in increasing the Mn content of the stems soon after application. The Mn applied in the trifoliates can be redistributed from this part to others of the plant, although apparently in small amounts, and will be in greater proportion in the treated trifoliates until the end of the soybean cycle. Mn-treated soybean did not present grains with higher accumulation, but in soybean cultivated grown in soil with low Mn concentration and without glyphosate the Mn content was higher than in soybean with glyphosate. In terms of grain yield, the foliar fertilization with Mn in single application in the soybean V4 stage without or with glyphosate grown in soil with high Mn content did not present significant differences.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T14:59:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009 - Elio Barbieri Junior.pdf: 7095685 bytes, checksum: 1bcdc77a8d686ebd516a400693c004ae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-20 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happenedAmong the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened Among the biochemical properties related to the use of nitrogen (N) for the plants, chlorophyll pigments occupy a relevant position. For that reason, and given the importance of the N fertilization for pasture productivity, it has been developed methodologies that allow determining leaf chlorophyll contents for indirect and non destructive procedures. With the purpose of supplying subsidies for N fertilization management in in pastures of Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 was installed an experiment with purpose of verifying the performance of a commercial chlorophyll meter. The experimental strategy consisted of the induction of three levels of soil N availability, through N fertilization. The working hypotheses were the following ones: i) different soil N availabilities result in differentiated leaf chlorophyll contents in leaves recently emerged and fully expanded; ii) readings obtained with a chlorophyll meter are related with foliar Total chlorophyll contents; iii) chlorophyll contents are related with foliar N concentrations; e iv) chlorophyll content indicators keep relationship with green dry matter production. This study was carried out on a Haplic Planosol at the Experimental Campus of the Rural Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Serop?dica, RJ, during the period of July to December 2008. An entirely randomized block design was used, with four repetitions. Main treatments were allocated in plots (4x4 m) and consisted of three N fertilization levels (0; 75 and 150kg N-ur?ia). Four sampling dates designed as days from a standardization cut made 131days after planting were allocated in sub-plots. Three of the sampling dates (8, 16 and 24 days) were pre-fixed, while the last was accomplished when the sward interception level of photosynthetically active radiation reached a value of 95%. Structural dynamics was followed by monitoring the following canopy variables: sward height; tiller density, leaf area index, green cover index and green dry mass accumulation. Chlorophylls a, b and (a+b) were measured always in the first fully expanded leaves of sun tillers by the Arnon method with modifications, and indirectly, with the chlorophyll meter ClorofiLOG?. In the same type of leaves, total N content was determined by Kjeldhal routine procedures. Principal results showed that concentrations of chlorophylls a, b and (a + b) in Tifton leaf blades were affected by nitrogen fertilization and sampling dates reaching maximal differences at the 24th day after cut. Chlorophyll meter readings (Falker Chlorophyll Index, FCI) and foliar N contents also responsed very sensibly to N rates, reaching maximal values at the16th day after cut. In the same day, Total chlorophyll contents and Total N leaf contents were also significantly correlated with FCI values, with r2 coefficients of 0,93 and 0,89 respectively. Correlation coefficient between total green dry matter and FCI values was 0,867. Total green dry matter accumulation at the last sampling date and FCI readings at 16th day after cut also resulted significantly related (r2 = 0,72), a promising relation for purposes of forage yield estimation. In conclusion, the obtained results allow affirming that, in Tifton 85, total chlorophyll content present in the first leaf totally expanded is a sensitive marker of soil N availability and therefore of N fertilization needs. Total chlorophyll content through its relationship with leaf N contents may be also a valuable tool for foliar N diagnosis. Both attributes were discriminated properly by the chlorophyll meter under evaluation. This apparatus maximized its performance in the period were happened the highest leaf N content and linking directly with final green dry matter accumulation. / Dentre as propriedades bioqu?micas relacionadas ? utiliza??o do nitrog?nio (N) pelas plantas, os teores de clorofila ocupam posi??o de destaque. Por essa raz?o, e dada a import?ncia que a aduba??o nitrogenada tem na express?o da produtividade das pastagens, tem sido desenvolvidas metodologias que permitem a determina??o do teor de clorofila por procedimentos indiretos e n?o destrutivos. No intuito de fornecer subs?dios para a defini??o de estrat?gias de aduba??o nitrogenada em pastagens de Cynodon spp. cv. Tifton 85 foi instalado um experimento com o prop?sito primordial de verificar o desempenho de um clorofil?metro comercial. Foi utilizada uma estrat?gia experimental consistente na indu??o de tr?s n?veis de disponibilidade de N no solo, atrav?s de aduba??o nitrogenada. As hip?teses que guiaram o experimento foram as seguintes: i) n?veis diferenciados de N no solo, resultam em teores diferenciados de clorofila em folhas rec?m emergidas; ii) leituras obtidas com um clorofil?metro guardam rela??o com os teores foliares das clorofilas; iii) teores de clorofila total relacionam-se com os teores foliares de N; e iv) os indicadores ligados ? clorofila foliar guardam rela??o com a produ??o de mat?ria seca. O experimento foi desenvolvido sobre um Planossolo H?plico, no campo experimental da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, munic?pio de Serop?dica, RJ, durante o per?odo de julho a dezembro de 2008. O experimento foi disposto segundo um desenho em blocos inteiramente casualizados, com quatro repeti??es. Os tratamentos, alocados nas parcelas (4x4m), consistiram de tr?s n?veis de N (0; 75 e 150kg N-ur?ia/ha), enquanto que nas sub-parcelas, foram alocadas quatro dias de coletas, contados a partir um corte de uniformiza??o, realizado 131 dias ap?s o plantio do capim. Tr?s das datas de amostragem foram pre-fixadas, aos 8, 16 e 24 dias, enquanto a ?ltima foi realizada quando a pastagem atingiu um n?vel de intercepta??o de 95% da radia??o fotossint?ticamente ativa incidente. A din?mica estrutural foi acompanhada atrav?s da mensura??o das seguintes vari?veis do dossel: altura; densidade populacional de perfilhos; ?ndice de ?rea foliar, ?ndice de cobertura verde, e ac?mulo de massa verde seca. As clorofilas a, b, e (a+b), foram quantificadas, sempre em primeiras folhas completamente expandidas de perfilhos de sol, pelo m?todo de Arnon modificado, e indiretamente, com um aparelho ClorofiLOG?. Os teores de N total foram determinados nas mesmas folhas, pelo m?todo de Kjeldhal. Os resultados mostraram que os teores de clorofila a, b e (a+b) diferiram entre doses de N, e dias de amostragem, atingindo diferen?as m?ximas entre as doses de N aos 24 dias ap?s corte. As leituras do clorofil?metro (?ndice de Clorofila Falker, ICF) e os teores de N foliar tamb?m responderam sensivelmente ?s doses de N, atinguindo valores m?ximos aos 16 dias. Nesse mesmo dia, a an?lise de regress?o linear entre os teores de clorofila total e de N total, contra os respectivos valores de ICF resultou em coeficientes de determina??o de 0,93 e 0,89 respectivamente. O coeficiente de correla??o entre a massa verde seca total e os valores de ICF foi de 0,867. O ac?mulo de mat?ria verde seca total aos 28 dias ap?s o corte relacionouse linearmente com as leituras do clorofil?metro feitas aos 16 dias (r2=0,72), um tipo de resultado promissor em termos de estimativas de disponibilidade de forragem. Como conclus?o, os resultados permitiram verificar que os teores de clorofila total presentes na primeira folha totalmente expandida, responderam ? aplica??o de doses diferenciadas de N e se relacionaram estreitamente com os teores de N foliar. Ambos os atributos foram discriminados de forma precisa pelo clorofil?metro sob avalia??o. Este aparelho maximizou o seu desempenho no per?odo onde ocorreram os m?ximos teores de N foliar, relacionando-se diretamente com a mat?ria seca acumulada no final do per?odo de rebrota.

In the Amazon region, Xylopia species are used to popular medicine, pharmacobotany and to produce wood and fibers. However, the knowledge about vegetative organ anatomy is not enough. Therefore, this work purposed to know leaf and wood anatomy of Xylopia henthamii R. E Fries and Xylopia nítida Dunal, and it is contributing to identify their. For this study usual techniques were used in plant and wood anatomy. The leaf anatomic characteristics is common like dorsiventral mesophyll, hipostomatic leaf, paracytic stomata, simple filiform trichomes, collateral vascular bundles, secretory cavities scattered in mesophyll and petiole, druse idioblastic in petiole and leaf vein is brochidodromous. But they were different about shape of epidermal cell walls in abaxial surface, papillose abaxial surface, invaginated adaxial surface of petiole, vascular bundles and chlorenchyma or fundamental parenchyma in leaf margin, invaginated stomata, striate cuticle and marginal vein. The wood anatomic characteristics presented uniformly in macro and microscopic levei with little distinct growth rings, multiples vessels of two to five, apotracheal axial parenchyma in thin lines and scalariform, simple perforated plates, alternate intervessel pits, rays were homogeneous, mainly three-seriate, with procumbents cells. The main differences between them were length and vessels tangencial diameter. It was concluded that leaf anatomy is efficient to taxonomy, but wood anatomy not, because the homogeneously between that species. / Espécies do gênero Xylopia, são usadas na região amazônica, na medicina popular, na farmacobotânica, no aproveitamento de madeira e das fibras. Contudo, o conhecimento sobre a anatomia dos órgãos vegetativos, não contemplam todas as espécies do gênero. Diante disso, visando o conhecimento científico das espécies de Xylopia, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer as estruturas internas das folhas e da madeira das espécies Xylopia henthamii R. E Fries e Xylopia nítida Dunal, contribuindo dessa maneira para a identificação das mesmas. Para a realização do trabalho, foram empregadas as técnicas usuais em anatomia vegetal e da madeira. Com relação à caracterização anatômica das folhas as espécies apresentaram características em comum como dorsiventralidade, lâmina hipoestomática, estômatos paracíticos, tricomas simples filiformes, feixes vasculares colaterais, cavidades secretoras dispersas no mesofilo e pecíolo, idioblastos em drusas no pecíolo e o padrão de venação foliar do tipo broquidódromo. Entretanto as espécies foram separadas com relação ao contorno das paredes anticlinais e periclinais na superfície adaxial, superfície abaxial papilosa, face adaxial do pecíolo invaginada, margem apresentando feixes no bordo foliar, margem terminando com parênquima paliçádico ou parênquima fundamental, estômatos posicionados abaixo do nível das células epidérmicas, estriamento cuticular e presença da nervura marginal. Em relação à caracterização anatômica da madeira as mesmas apresentaram grande uniformidade em nível macro e microscópico como camadas de crescimento poucos distintas, arranjo dos vasos múltiplos de dois a cinco, parênquima axial apotraqueal em linhas finas e escalariforme, placas de perfurações simples, pontuações intervasculares alternas, raios homogêneos, predominantemente trisseriados, constituídos de células procumbentes. As principais diferenças entre as mesmas estão relacionadas ao comprimento e ao diâmetro tangencial dos elementos de vasos ao diâmetro do lume do tecido fibroso. Com base nos resultados, conclui-se que tanto a anatomia foliar quanto a anatomia do lenho das espécies selecionadas neste trabalho foram eficientes para a separação dos taxa, mesmo as espécies apresentarem em sua organização estrutural interna grande homogeneidade entre si.

A deficiência de boro (B) é comum nos pomares citrícolas paulistas. A maioria das pesquisas sobre mobilidade (transporte e redistribuição) de micronutrientes têm sido realizadas com o auxílio de isótopos radioativos, entretanto, para o B não existe um isótopo radioativo com meia vida suficientemente longa para tais estudos. Os isótopos estáveis de B (10B e 11B) foram pouco utilizados como traçador em estudos com vegetais, devido à dificuldade de detecção, entretanto, com o advento do ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry – espectrômetro de massas acoplado a uma fonte de plasma),tornou-se possível quantificar os átomos de 10B e 11B. Desta forma, utilizando-se de compostos enriquecidos em 10B, tornaram-se viáveis os estudos de absorção, transporte e redistribuição do B nas plantas. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar, com o auxilio da técnica isotópica, a absorção de B pelas raízes e folhas da laranjeira, verificar a mobilidade do elemento na planta e quantificar a contribuição da adubação com B para os frutos da laranjeira. No estudo foram realizados 4 experimentos, sendo 3 experimentos realizados em casa de vegetação e 1 experimento realizado em pomar de laranjeira em produção. Dos experimentos realizados em casa de vegetação, O primeiro estudou a absorção de B pelas raízes de laranjeiras em sistema hidropônico e a mobilidade do nutriente na planta. Laranjeiras de copa ‘Valencia’ em dois porta-enxertos (limoeiro ‘Cravo’ e citrumelo ‘Swingle’) foram conduzidas em soluções nutritivas com concentrações de B adequadas ou deficientes, e o início dos tratamentos com 10B ocorreram em épocas distintas, com plantas em diferentes condições nutricionais de B. O segundo experimento estudou a eficiência da absorção foliar de B pelas laranjeiras ao longo do tempo e a mobilidade do nutriente na planta. O terceiro experimento comparou a mobilidade do B, absorvido pelas raízes e pelas folhas, para os novos fluxos de crescimento. O quarto experimento, realizado no campo, comparou as adubações com B no solo, via fertirrigação, e nas folhas das laranjeiras. Avaliou a contribuição destas adubações para os frutos das laranjeiras e verificou o efeito residual da adubação realizada no ano anterior na nutrição da planta no ano seguinte. Pelos resultados obtidos nos experimentos foi possível verificar que cerca de 20% a 40% do B presente nas partes novas da laranjeira foi proveniente de reservas das laranjeiras, ou seja, foi redistribuído na planta, e o menor valor foi obtido quando as laranjeiras estavam deficientes em B. A absorção de B pelas folhas da laranjeira foi inferior a 9% total de B depositado nas folhas, e o nutriente permaneceu principalmente nos órgãos onde foi aplicado (97%). A adubação com B no solo foi, cerca de 3 a 4 vezes, mais eficiente em fornecer o nutriente para a laranjeira, do que a aplicação do nutriente na folha. / Boron deficiency is widespread in São Paulo citrus orchards. Most of researches on micronutrients mobility (transport and redistribution) have been carried out using radioactive isotopes, however, for the B there is not any radioactive isotope with half-life enough for such studies. The B stable isotopes (10B and 11B) had little been used as tracer in plant studies due to the difficult detection, but with the development of the ICP-MS inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), it is possible to quantify the atoms of 10B and 11B. This way, using enriched compound with 10B, the absorption, transport and redistribution studies have become possible.The present work aimed to study, with aid of isotopic methodology, the B absorption through the roots and leaf of orange plant, to verify the B mobility in the plant and to quantify the B fertilization contribution to the fruit. In the study 4 experiments were carried out, 3 experiments in greenhouse and 1 experiment in a productive orange orchard. From the experiment carried out in greenhouse, in the first one the B absorption through the roots in nutrient solution system and the nutrient mobility in the plant were studied. ‘Valencia’ sweet orange trees budded on Rangpur lime or Swingle citrumelo were grown in nutrient solution with suitable or deficient B supply, and the treatments with 10B were initiated in different periods with plants in different nutritional condition of B. The second experiment studied the efficiency of B uptake by the orange leaves, which were harvested in different periods after 10B spraying, and the nutrient mobility in the plant. The third experiment compared the B mobility absorbed through roots and leaves, and driven to the new shoots. The fourth experiment, performed in orange orchard, compared the B applied in the soil by fertigation and in the leaves. The contribution of B from fertilizer to the fruits was evaluated and verified the residual effect of fertilizer applied in the year before on the plant nourishing in the next year. By the results from the experiments it was possible to verify that approximately 20% to 40% of B contained in the new parts of orange plant was derivated from old parts, in other words, the B was redistributed in the plant, and the lower value was obtained when the plants grew in nutrient solution with deficient B supply. The B absorption by the leaves was less than 9% of total B deposited on the foliar lamina, and remained mainly in the sites where it was applied (97%). The B fertilization in the soil was, approximately 3 to 4 times more efficient in providing B to the orange plant than the B sprayed on the leaves.

Thesis (MSc. (Agriculture Pasture Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / This study was conducted at the University of Limpopo’s Experimental Farm (Syferkuil), in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. The objective was to determine the effect of foliar fertilizers on the dry matter production over a period of two growing seasons. The experiment was laid out in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, fitted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with 4 replications. The experiment was planted on 28th March 2014 for season 1 (2014) and 31st March 2015 for season 2 (2015). Three sources of fertilizer (Nitrospray Plus, Potaspray and a combination of the two) were applied to stooling rye at three different fertilizer application rates (0 kg or ℓ/ha, 2.5 kg or ℓ/ha and 5.0 kg or ℓ/ha). The Nitrospray Plus and Potaspray fertilizers were applied on the 09th May, 02nd July, 27th August and 30th October 2014 for Season 1 (2014). During the Season 2 (2015), they were applied on 11th May, 04th July, 29th August and 02nd November 2015. The application was done using a knapsack sprayer. Above-ground biomass was harvested four times during each season when the plants reached a height of 25–30 cm. During 2014, harvesting was done on the 27th May, 24th July, 12th September and the 17th November 2014. During 2015, harvesting was done on the 29th May, 26th July, 14th September and the 19th November 2015. The dry matter production was determined by harvesting 1 m2 quadrates at 3 cm height. After weighing fresh material, it was oven–dried at 55oC until a constant mass was reached. Samples were then weighed again and the DM production (kg/ha) was calculated. Results were compared, using analysis of variance and the Fisher’s LSD test at P≤ 0.05 within each season. Based on the Least Significance Difference test, treatments were grouped in different production classes. During both seasons, fertilizer application rates had a significant (P≤0.001) influence on dry matter production. In 2014, the highest total dry matter production obtained was 5323 kg/ha in the high potassium fertilizer treatment and the lowest total dry matter was 4049 kg/ha in the control or zero application treatment. xiii In 2015, the highest total dry matter production obtained was 5595 kg/ha in the high potassium fertilizer treatment and the lowest 3678 kg/ha in the control treatment. Potassium fertilizers produced significantly (P≤0.001) higher than nitrogen fertilizers in both seasons. The main conclusions from this study were that high foliar fertilizer application rates (5.0 kg/ha) led to high, low foliar application rates (2.5 kg/ha) to lower and no fertilizer to low dry matter production. High levels of potassium produced the best, followed by combinations of intermediate potassium and nitrogen, and high nitrogen application rates. Yields of above 5000 kg/ha were obtained under high potassium rates. Lower rates led to total productions of more than 4000 kg/ha, while no foliar application produced between 3700 and 4000 kg/ha. It was also concluded that stooling rye is a suitable winter fodder crop for the Pietersburg Plateau Bushveld, but that the application of fertilizers is necessary for increased dry matter production. Both and Nitrospray and Potaspray Plus, as individual foliar fertilizers or in combination, can be applied to increase the dry matter production of stooling rye. However, it is essential to investigate the adaptability of stooling rye in other areas of the Limpopo bushveld, to determine its suitability as a fodder crop in other areas in the province. Keywords: Dry matter production, cutting dates, foliar fertilizers, Nitrospray Plus, Potaspray.

Dentre as estruturas que compõem os fitômeros das gramíneas, a folha tem grande importância, pois é a fonte primária de produção de fotoassimilados para a planta como um todo e também é o componente de maior valor nutritivo. Em gramíneas, o alongamento de folhas e, consequentemente da nervura central, ocorre de forma não proporcional, afetando a morfologia e a anatomia das lâminas foliares e interferindo em seu valor nutritivo. Com o intuito de avaliar a relação entre tamanho final do limbo foliar, proporção e espessura da nervura central (NC) e sua relação com as características anatômicas e o valor nutritivo (VN) em lâminas foliares de diferentes tamanhos e ordens de inserção, foram conduzidos dois experimentos concomitantes utilizando um protocolo de plantas isoladas desenvolvido especificamente para esta finalidade no verão de 2017 (janeiro a março). A espécie estudada foi o Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Napier (capim-elefante). O objetivo do primeiro experimento foi caracterizar o padrão de expansão e a morfologia da lâmina foliar seccionada em 10 fragmentos de mesmo tamanho, e caracterizar a anatomia ao longo dos segmentos basal, mediano-basal, mediano, mediano-apical e apical, ambos em lâminas foliares de perfilhos basais de diferentes tamanhos e ordens de inserção (fitômeros 5 a 16) em função de sua programação ontogênica. As coletas de amostras tiveram início a partir da expansão da 5ª folha (fitômero 5) e foram encerradas quando a 16ª folha completou sua expansão (fitômero 16). Para avaliar o efeito da idade da folha sobre a deposição de tecidos de sustentação, foram coletadas todas as folhas de dois perfilhos (um para avaliações anatômicas e um para avaliações morfológicas) no momento da expansão da 16ª folha, seguindo os mesmos critérios de avaliação descritos anteriormente. As plantas foram distribuídas segundo um delineamento em blocos completos casualizados com quatro repetições. O objetivo do segundo experimento foi caracterizar a relação entre o padrão de expansão das folhas (proporção de nervura central) e seu valor nutritivo ao longo dos segmentos de folhas descritos acima, nas mesmas folhas. A amostragem foi realizada quando a 16ª folha concluiu seu desenvolvimento e expôs sua lígula. Foram cultivadas 1320 plantas, divididas em três blocos homogêneos com 440 plantas cada, de modo a proporcionar a quantidade mínima necessária de material seco e moído para análises de proteína bruta (PB) e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS). As lâminas foliares apresentaram o mesmo padrão de expansão, apesar de diferentes valores de largura e comprimento final. A massa de nervura central variou linearmente com o aumento de massa da lâmina foliar, e apresentou redução em sua proporção da base para a porção apical da folha. Não houve variações significativas nas características anatômicas entre os segmentos das lâminas foliares quando a nervura central não foi considerada. Excluindo os segmentos em processo de senescência (fitômeros 5 a 7), as porções finais de folhas grandes apresentaram valor nutritivo semelhante àquele de folhas pequenas. As análises multivariadas de agrupamento (Cluster) e de componentes principais (PCA) agruparam e classificaram as folhas de acordo com seu nível de inserção no perfilho e aporte estrutural. As folhas mais longas foram caracterizadas como segue: 1- frações basais por altos valores de esclerênquima (ESC), massa seca da nervura (MSN), largura da nervura (LN) e mesofilo (MES) e baixos valores PB, área foliar específica (AFE), DIVMS e epiderme total (EpiT); 2- frações medianas com altos valores de feixes vasculares (FV), comprimento da folha (CF), comprimento do segmento (CS), massa seca do limbo (MSL), massa seca total (MST), largura do limbo (LL) e largura total (LT) e baixos valores de matéria mineral (MM); e 3- frações apicais (próximas ao ápice foliar) com altos valores de PB, AFE, DIVMS e EpiT e baixos valores de ESC, MSN, LN e MES. As folhas mais curtas, independentemente de suas porções ou segmentos, se caracterizaram por altos valores de DIVMS, MM, PB, EpiT e AFE e baixos valores de FV, ESC, MES, MSN, CF, CS. Os resultados podem ser utilizados para desenvolver modelos de crescimento tridimensional das plantas com a capacidade de predizer valor nutritivo e ingestão de nutrientes de animais em pastejo, bem como auxiliar no estabelecimento de metas de manejo do pastejo. / Among the structures comprising grass phytomers, the leaf is important because it is the primary source of assimilate for the entire plant and is also the component of greatest nutritive value. In grasses, leaf elongation, and consequently mid rib elongation, occurs in a non proportional way, affecting the morphology and the anatomy of the leaf blade and impacting its nutritive value. This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between final leaf blade length and the proportion and thickness of the mid rib, as well as their relation with anatomical characteristics and nutritive value along the blades of leaves with different sizes and levels of insertion on the tiller (leaf age - phytomers 5 to 16). Two concomitant experiments were carried out during summer of 2017 (January to April) using an isolated plant protocol specifically developed for this purpose. Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Napier) was used as model plant. The objective of the first experiment was to characterize the pattern of leaf expansion and the morphology and anatomy of the leaf blade in sections along its length (basal, median-basal, median, median-apical, apical) using leaves of different sizes and levels of insertion (phytomers 5 to 16) on basal tillers according to their ontogenetic organization. Sampling started when the fifth leaf (phytomer 5) completed its expansion and ended when the 16th leaf (phytomer 16) completed its expansion. In order to evaluate the effect of leaf age on the synthesis of support tissues, all leaves from two tillers (one for anatomical and other for morphological evaluations) were harvested when the 16th leaf completed its expansion, following the same procedures described above for individual leaves. The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with four replications. The objective of the second experiment was to characterize the relationship between the pattern of leaf expansion (proportion of mid rib in leaf blade) and nutritive value along the length (basal, median-basal, median, median-apical, apical portions) using leaves of different sizes and levels of insertion (phytomers 5 to 16) on basal tillers. Sampling was done when the 16th leaf completed its expansion and exposed its ligule. A total of 1,320 plants were cultivated in three homogeneous blocks of 440 plants each, ensuring the minimum amount of dry, ground material for the chemical analyses of crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). There was a common pattern of leaf expansion despite the different final leaf blade width and length. The weight of mid rib varied linearly in relation to the increase in leaf blade mass, and showed a decreasing gradient of proportion from the basal to the apical portion of the leaf. Anatomically, there were no significant changes in tissue proportions along the length of the leaf blade when the mid rib was not considered. Except for the senescing apical portion of older leaves (phytomers 5 - 7), the apical portion of large leaves showed similar nutritive value (IVDMD and CP) to that of small leaves. The multivariate analyses of Cluster and Principal Components grouped and stratified phytomers according to their level of insertion on the tiller and structural support, with longer leaves characterized as: 1- basal portions with high values of sclerenchyma (SCL), mid rib mass (MRM), mid rib width (MRW) and mesophyll (MES) and low values of CP, specific leaf area (SLA), IVDMD and total epidermis (EPIt); 2- median portions with high values of vascular bundles (VB), leaf blade length (LBL), portion length (PL), non-mid rib leaf blade mass (LBM), total leaf blade mass (TLBM), non mid rib leaf blade width (LBW) and total leaf blade width (TLBW) and low values of mineral matter (MM); and 3- apical portion with high values of CP, SLA, IVDMD and EPIt and low values of SCL, MRM, MRW and MES. Shorter leaves were characterized by high values of IVDMD, MM, CP, EPIt and SLA and low values of VB, SCL, MES, MRM, LBL and PL. The results can be used for developing tridimensional plant growth models capable to estimate the nutritive value and nutrient intake by grazing animals, as well as to assist in establishing grazing management targets.