This diploma thesis deals with the importance of semi-natural biotopes for the carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and benefits of these beetles for the production of the oilseed rape. Evaluation was done by measuring the diversity of communities of carabid beetles by pitfall trapping followed by the evaluation of total abundance, Shannon´s diversity index and the Shannon´s evenness index in the field oilseed rape and in the adjacent semi-natural biotopes. Diversity was measured at two locations (location A, B). Monitored biotopes of the location A were the meadow, the field, the unmanaged field boundary and the forest. At the site B, monitored biotopes were the meadow and the field. Carabid beetles were captured in one-week intervals continuously from May to September 2013. In total 3076 individuals represented by 78 species were captured. The most numerous species in samples were Poecilus cupreus, Pterostichus melanarius, Poecilus versicolor, Pseudoophonus rufipes and Loricera pilicornis, which formed together 72 % of the total numbers. The monitored biotopes of location A did not differ significantly in total abundance (p = 0.13) nor in the Shannon´s eveness (p = 0.43). They differed by the diversity index (p = 0.03), but this accounted for difference between the field boundary and the forest biotopes (p = 0.04). No difference in the three measured parameters were found by the comparison the field sites and next semi-natural sites at locality A (i.e. meadow A/field A1, forest/field A2), nor by comparing the biotopes field and meadow in both the localities (A, B) in one model (p < 0.05). The results suggest the importance of the immigration of carabid from the semi-natural biotopes into the field, which supports the field populations of carabids and the ecosystem service of biological control provided by them.

The thesis deals with the influence of cold plasma treatment of seeds such as stress factor to the photosynthesis rate, transpiration and stomatal conductance of brassica oilseed rape (Brassica napus L. var. napus). The theoretical part is focused on the cold plasma, its application and effects on plant physiology, photosynthetic process and description of examined oilseed rape crops. The literature review is followed by the experiment which studies the influence of cold plasma on the physiological processes of plants. The seeds of oilseed rape have been treated with cold plasma in various intervals and cultivated plants were subjected to measuring device Licor Li 6400 XT. The results show that cold plasma treatment of brassica oilseed rape influences the physiological processes depending on the length of exposure and the plant age.

Les insectes phytophages causent des dommages importants aux cultures. Ces insectes sont principalement contrôlés par l’utilisation d’insecticides mais les effets néfastes des composés utilisés sur la santé humaine et l’environnement ainsi que l’apparition de populations résistantes à ces composés imposent de trouver des stratégies de lutte alternatives. Sélectionner des plantes pour leur résistance aux insectes pourrait être une solution intéressante. Un frein majeur au développement de cette stratégie est le fait qu’un grand nombre de génotypes doit être criblé pour identifier des sources de résistance et que le phénotypage est souvent complexe et limite les possibilités de criblage à grande échelle. Pour lever ces verrous, il est important de comprendre les mécanismes à l’origine des résistances. Une fois ces mécanismes précisés dans le cadre de l’interaction entre une culture et un ravageur, l’identification de traits clés de cette interaction permet d’envisager l’utilisation de biomarqueurs de la résistance qui peuvent fortement simplifier le phénotypage. Ce type d’approche a été conduit au cours de cette thèse dans le cadre de l’interaction entre le colza (Brassica napus) et l’un de ses principaux ravageurs, le méligèthe (Brassicogethes aeneus). Des travaux antérieurs avaient mis en évidence l’existence de certains composés biochimiques présents dans le périanthe des boutons floraux et corrélés au niveau d’attaque de différents génotypes de colza. Ces résultats avaient été obtenus au laboratoire et il était nécessaire de les confirmer dans des conditions de culture réalistes. Le premier objectif de cette thèse était donc de développer une méthode permettant de cribler au champ différents génotypes de colza pour leur résistance au méligèthe afin de valider ou non le potentiel des composés biochimiques identifiés précédemment comme biomarqueurs mais aussi d’en identifier de nouveaux. Le second objectif de ce travail était de mieux comprendre l’écologie alimentaire du méligèthe afin d’identifier de nouvelles cibles potentielles pour la sélection de plantes résistantes. Nous avons mené plusieurs expérimentations sur le terrain qui nous ont permis de développer une méthode de crible au champ des génotypes de colza pour leur résistance au méligèthe. Cette méthode a mis en évidence l’existence de différences de résistance fortes et robustes entre génotypes parmi une gamme de 19 génotypes testés. Les biomarqueurs potentiels précédemment identifiés n’ont pas été validés au champ mais deux autres composés semblent influencer la résistance au méligèthe et pourraient être utilisés comme futurs biomarqueurs. Ces expériences au champ ont aussi permis de montrer que la biochimie des périanthes était très dépendante des conditions environnementales, ce qui pourra compliquer le travail de sélection. Par ailleurs, des expériences de développement réalisées en conditions contrôlées ont montré que le méligèthe utilisait le nectar présent dans les fleurs de colza mais que celui-ci ne semblait pas affecter son développement. Le pollen semble, jouer un rôle important sur son développement mais les larves parviennent à se développer sans son apport. Les expériences sur le comportement alimentaire du méligèthe adulte ont montré que cet insecte avait un patron d’attaque spécifique sur les inflorescences de colza en s’alimentant avant tout sur les boutons de petite taille (donc moins riches en pollen par rapport aux gros). Il semble que la disponibilité mais surtout l’accessibilité du pollen médiée par le périanthe joue un rôle essentiel dans le comportement de cet insecte. Ce travail a permis de mieux comprendre le comportement alimentaire du méligèthe et d’identifier des traits importants pour son développement. Ce travail montre que des résistances modérées existent au sein du colza et qu’elles pourraient être utilisées pour la sélection variétale. Il pointe aussi les limites des approches basées sur des biomarqueurs biochimiques. / Herbivorous insects cause important yield losses to crops. These insects are mainly managed through insecticides but negative effects of used compounds on the human health and the environment as well as the development of resistant pest populations impose finding alternative strategies to manage them. Breeding plants for enhanced resistance to insects is an attractive strategy. This kind of strategy was already implemented to manage insects but examples of its utilisation remain rare. The main limitation of this strategy is that a large number of genotypes needs to be screened through generally complex phenotyping methods to identify resistances. To circumvent these issues, an approach based on the understanding of plant defence mechanisms and the utilisation of biochemical biomarkers linked to resistance could be interesting. During this PhD, this kind of approach was developed on the oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and one of its main pests, the pollen beetle (Brassicogethes aeneus). Previous studies identified chemical compounds present in the perianth of flower buds and correlated to oilseed rape resistance to pollen beetle. However these studies were carried out in the laboratory and need to be validated in field conditions. Moreover, information on pollen beetle feeding ecology are still lacking while they could help identifying new targets for breeding. The first objective of this PhD is to develop a method allowing to screen resistance to the pollen beetle in the field. This method will allow to confirm the potential biomarkers previously identified and to look for additional biomarkers. The second objective of the present work was to better understand key steps in the interaction between the pest and its host plant to identify potential new target traits for resistance. For this purpose, the importance of food sources present in flowers such as pollen and nectar on pollen beetle development and the factors impacting the feeding pattern of adults on the inflorescence were investigated. We conducted field experiments in two different sites and for two consecutive years and propose a method allowing to screen oilseed rape resistance to pollen beetle in the field. Using this method, we were able to identify genotypes with moderate levels of resistance among a set of 19 genotypes. Previously identified biochemical biomarkers were not correlated with plant resistance in the field but new markers were identified (i.e. quinic acid and arginine). Our field experiments also showed that plant composition is highly variable according to the environment and this variability could affect usefulness of these markers during plant breeding programs. Experiments under controlled conditions also showed that pollen beetle used nectar for feeding but that it did not seem to affect its development. Pollen, on the other hand, seemed to have a more important impact but was not indispensable to pollen beetle development. The study of the pollen beetle feeding behaviour showed that this insect has a surprising feeding pattern on oilseed rape inflorescences and that small buds are more used for feeding than large buds that contain more pollen. It seems that accessibility and to a lesser extend availability of feeding resource explain this pattern and that the perianth has a major role on this preference. These experiments allowed to better understand the pollen beetle feeding ecology and to identify plant traits important for its development. Our work showed that moderate levels of resistance are present in oilseed rape and could be used in breeding programs. Limitations of approaches based on biochemical biomarkers are discussed.

Due to the requirement for economic sustainability, studies on the use of biomass or biofuels to energy obtention has increased in recent years. Biomass energy is obtained by burning wood, bagasse, forest and agricultural residues, among others. Nowadays, renewable resources represent about 20% of total energy supply in the world and biomass is about 14%. The production of electricity from biomass is currently advocated as very important alternative for developing countries. The present work aims to study species adaptable to northeastern of Brazil for energy generation. In this context, Cnidoscolus quercifolius (faveleira) and Annona muricata L. (graviola), are characterized as raw materials with potential use for alternative energy source. Besides the possibility of evaluating the various parts of the plant for power generation, it is possible to employ the seeds, due their high content of oil which can be used as a source of triacylglycerols for the biodiesel production. / Devido à busca pela sustentabilidade econômica, estudos sobre obtenção de energia através do uso direto biomassa ou de biocombustíveis, tem aumentando nos últimos anos. A energia da biomassa é obtida através da combustão de lenha, bagaço de cana, resíduos florestais, resíduos agrícola, entre outros. Já a energia proveniente do biodiesel é obtida através de sua síntese a partir de fontes vegetais ou seu uso como combustível líquido. Dessa forma a energia gerada é renovável. Hoje os recursos renováveis apresentam cerca de 20% de suprimento total de energia no mundo, sendo que só de biomassa seria da ordem de 14%. A produção de energia elétrica a partir da biomassa, atualmente, é muito defendida como importante alternativa para países em desenvolvimento. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar espécies adaptáveis ao nordeste brasileiro para geração de energia. Nesse contexto, cnidoscolus quercifolius Pax et K. Hoffm (faveleira) e annona muricata L. (graviola), se caracterizam como matérias-primas com potencial uso para fonte alternativa de energia. Além da possibilidade de avaliação das várias partes da planta na geração de energia, existe a possibilidade de empregar as sementes. As mesmas contêm alto teor de óleo que pode ser empregado como fonte de triacilgliceróis para a produção de biodiesel e a torta, resultante da extração, pode ser igualmente avaliada como resíduo de biomassa.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Canola is a winter crop that has good adaptability to low air temperature, but depending on environmental conditions and developmental stage the occurrence of frosts can cause significant damage to the crop. However, few studies characterizing environmental and micrometeorological variables linked to frost and relating them to the plant response to cold. This study aimed to determine the canola answers to frost due to the straw distribution on the soil surface in the beginning of the crop development cycle. Field experiment was conducted in 2014 with three sowing dates, sown from April to July and four types of delivery straw on the soil surface: soil without straw on the surface (SSP), ground completely covered with straw (CT), soil with waste from other crops (CS) and without straw sowing line (LSP), It used a randomized block design. Evaluations were performed at dawn with the occurrence of frost, when it analyzed the following variables: net radiation, leaf temperature, air temperature, surface temperature, and mortality phenological variables plants and plant fenometric. In general, the net radiation in the treatment CT was less negative, especially on nights with frost occurrence of moderate to strong, which was also found to lower surface temperature measurement infrared thermometer. Meanwhile, the LSP treatment met the balance more negative radiation from the treatments and the surface temperature in LSP was similar to the SSP treatments and CS. In addition, the CT treatment was observed at lower air temperature than 3 cm above the soil, which was reflected in the lower temperature of the sheet measured with thermocouples and infrared thermometer. Thus on 19/06 average temperature of the rosette plant in CT was -0,66 ºC and 0,42 ºC in LSP. While the temperature of the leaves in 14/08 was -3,62 ºC in CT treatment and -2,88 ºC in LSP treatment. As a result, the TC treatment plant mortality was 30% in 19/06 and 14/08 32,75%, while in LSP treatment mortality of plants was 0% and 1,25% for the respective dates. Therefore, removal of the seeding line straw can be an alternative to reduce the negative effects of frost canola plants early in the development. / A canola é uma cultura de inverno que possui boa adaptabilidade à temperatura baixa do ar, porém, dependendo das condições ambientais e estádio fenológico, a ocorrência de geadas pode provocar danos significativos para a cultura. Ainda, são poucos os estudos caracterizando variáveis ambientais e micrometeorológicas ligadas à geada e relacionando-as à resposta das plantas ao frio. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar respostas da canola à geada, em função da distribuição de palha na superfície do solo, no início do ciclo de desenvolvimento da cultura. Foi conduzido experimento de campo no ano de 2014 com três datas de semeadura, entre abril a julho, com quatro formas de distribuição de palha na superfície do solo: solo sem palha na superfície (SSP), solo totalmente coberto com palha (CT), solo com resíduos de outros cultivos na superfície (CS) e linha de semeadura sem palha (LSP), utilizando delineamento em blocos casualizados. Foram realizadas avaliações em madrugadas com ocorrência de geada, quando se analisaram as seguintes variáveis: saldo de radiação, temperatura de folhas, temperatura do ar, temperatura da superfície, mortalidade de plantas e variáveis fenológicas e fenométricas da canola. Em geral, o saldo de radiação no tratamento CT foi menos negativo, especialmente em noites com ocorrência de geada moderada a forte, onde também foi encontrada a menor temperatura de superfície medida com termômetro infravermelho. Enquanto isso, no tratamento LSP ocorreu o saldo de radiação mais negativo dentre os tratamentos avaliados e a temperatura da superfície em LSP foi similar aos tratamentos SSP e CS. Além disso, no tratamento CT foi verificada a menor temperatura do ar a 3 cm de altura do solo, o que repercutiu na menor temperatura das folhas medida com termopares e com termômetro infravermelho. Assim, no dia 19/06 a temperatura média da roseta das plantas em CT foi -0,66 °C e em LSP 0,42 ºC, enquanto a temperatura das folhas em 14/08 em CT foi -3,62 ºC e em LSP foi -2,88 ºC. Em função disso, no tratamento CT ocorreu mortalidade de plantas em 19/06 de 30% e em 14/08 de 32,75%, enquanto em LSP a mortalidade de plantas foi 0% e 1,25% para as respectivas datas. Portanto, a retirada da palha da linha de semeadura pode ser uma alternativa para diminuir os efeitos negativos da geada na canola, no início do ciclo de desenvolvimento das plantas.

Nesta pesquisa buscou-se estudar o tratamento anaerÃbio de diferentes tortas de oleaginosas, resÃduos da produÃÃo do biodiesel, usando reatores anaerÃbios em batelada com diferentes configuraÃÃes, a fim de gerar biogÃs e um resÃduo mais estÃvel do ponto de vista ambiental. Foi estudada a digestÃo anaerÃbia das tortas de mamona e algodÃo, inoculadas com lodo de reator UASB. A pesquisa foi dividida em trÃs fases. Na primeira fase, estudou-se a digestÃo anaerÃbia das tortas de mamona e algodÃo, com duas proporÃÃes entre inÃculo e sÃlidos volÃteis. Na segunda fase, verificou-se o impacto do adsorvente zeolita na reduÃÃo da concentraÃÃo de amÃnia e avaliou-se sua influÃncia na produÃÃo de biogÃs da torta de mamona. Foram testadas duas zeolitas naturais com diferentes caracterÃsticas fÃsicas e comparadas com reatores sem a inclusÃo do adsorvente. Na terceira fase, foram desenvolvidos experimentos fÃsico-quÃmicos a fim de acelerar a hidrÃlise dos substratos e, consequentemente, melhorar o desempenho dos reatores. Testaram-se prÃ-tratamentos tÃrmico, ultrasÃnico, Ãcido e alcalino, e seus efeitos na produÃÃo de metano foram avaliados estatisticamente por meio de experimento fatorial multivariado. A pesquisa mostrou que à possÃvel produzir metano a partir das tortas de oleaginosas, com atà 0,194 CH4 g-1SV, para a torta de mamona, e 0,243 L CH4 g-1SV e 65 % de metano no biogÃs, para ambos os substratos. Compostos recalcitrantes presentes na composiÃÃo das tortas e a produÃÃo de substÃncias inibidoras impedem uma maior degradaÃÃo dos substratos e consequente maior produÃÃo de metano. Uma maior relaÃÃo entre inÃculo e sÃlidos volÃteis proporciona condiÃÃes mais favorÃveis à digestÃo anaerÃbia, com maior produÃÃo de biogÃs por sÃlidos adicionados, contudo, resulta numa menor produÃÃo de metano por volume de reator. A adiÃÃo de zeolita ao meio proporcionou uma reduÃÃo da concentraÃÃo de amÃnia e consequente aumento da produÃÃo de metano, embora o seu custo de aplicaÃÃo deva ser avaliado. O experimento multifatorial mostrou a influÃncia do substrato na produÃÃo de metano, no entanto, o uso dos prÃ-tratamentos nÃo surtiram efeito na produÃÃo de metano. A produÃÃo de metano atravÃs da digestÃo anaerÃbia de tortas de oleaginosas à possÃvel, contudo uma maior eficiÃncia do processo ainda à necessÃria. / This research aimed to study the anaerobic treatment of different oilcake, biodiesel production waste using anaerobic batch reactors with different configurations, in order to generate biogas and a more stable waste in a environmental point of view. We studied the anaerobic digestion of castor and cotton oilcake inoculated with sludge from a UASB reactor. The study was divided into three phases. In the first phase, we studied the anaerobic digestion of castor and cotton oilcake, with two different inoculum:substrate ratios based volatile solids. In the second phase, we studied the impact of the zeolite adsorbent to reduce the concentration of ammonia and its influence on the biogas production of castor oilcake. Two natural zeolites with different physical characteristics were tested and compared to reactors without the inclusion of the adsorbent. In the third phase, were avaliated physicochemical treatments to accelerate the hydrolysis rate of substrate and thereby improve the performance of the reactors. It were tested thermal, ultrasonic, acid and alkaline treatment, and their effects on methane production were analyzed by means of multivariate factorial experiment. Research has shown that methane can be produced from oilseed cakes, with up to 0.194 LCH4.g-1VS for castor oilcake, and 0.243 LCH4.g-1VS and 70% methane in the biogas, for both substrates. Recalcitrant compounds present in the composition of oicake and the production of inhibitory substances prevent further degradation of the substrates and increased production of methane. A higher ratio of inoculum and volatile solids provides more favorable conditions for anaerobic digestion with biogas production increased by volatile solids added, however, results in lower production of methane per reactor volume. Adding zeolite to the medium led to a reduction of the ammonia concentration and consequent increase in methane production while the cost of application should be assessed. The multifatorial experiment showed the influence of substrate in methane production, however, the use of pre-treatments had no effect on the production of methane.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:42:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Diego_Batista_Zeni.pdf: 366485 bytes, checksum: 6607655f98dea67ee4ce2ba69cb56557 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-06-30 / The storage of grain for longer periods, especially those containing high content of oil to manufacture biodiesel, generated a major difficulty of the production chain in the stage of post-harvest, where there are few data on drying and storage of oilseeds with maintaining their technological characteristics. The aim of the work, we study the effects of canola grain temperature in grains dried at temperatures of 20- 25, 35-40, 55-60 and 75-80°C, were stored for periods of 1, 100, 200 and 300 days in both environments with relative humidity 55-65% and 75-85%, and temperature controlled of 21±3°C. Were analyzed moisture, bulk density and oil content of grains and also its acidity, peroxide value, saponification and iodine oil canola grain stored subjected analysis of variance (ANOVA) of data, by Tukey test (P<0,05). We conclude that: A) the drying temperature in grains causes more damage than immediate dormant grains. B) the relative humidity in the storage environment alters the equilibrium moisture content of grain density, oil content and hydrolytic and oxidative stability. C) the storage time is more important in the stability of oil in the grain mass during drying temperatures above 40°C and storage environment with relative humidity above 70%. D) drying temperature with a mass greater than 60ºC only allow oil stability of grain in storage with humidity below 70% and up to 200 days. / A armazenagem de grãos por períodos mais longos, principalmente os que contém alto teor de óleos para a fabricação de biocombustível, gerou uma maior dificuldade da cadeia produtiva na etapa de pós-colheita, onde há poucos dados referentes a secagem e armazenamento de grãos oleaginosos com manutenção de suas características tecnológicas. Objetivou-se, com o trabalho, estudar nos grãos de canola os efeitos da temperatura na massa de grãos secados as temperaturas de 20-25, 35-40, 55-60 e 75-80°C, armazenados por períodos de 1, 100, 200 e 300 dias, em ambientes com umidade relativa do ar de 55 a 65% e 75 a 85% e temperatura controlada de 21±3°C. Foram analisados umidade, massa volumétrica e teor de óleo dos grãos e também índices de acidez, peróxidos, saponificação e iodo do óleo dos grãos de canola armazenados e submetidos análise de variância (ANOVA) dos dados, pelo teste de Tukey (P<0,05). Conclui-se que: A) a temperatura de secagem na massa de grãos provoca mais danos latentes do que imediatos nos grãos. B) A umidade relativa do ar no ambiente de armazenamento altera a umidade de equilíbrio dos grãos, a massa específica, o teor de óleo e a estabilidade hidrolítica e oxidatíva. C) O tempo de armazenamento é mais influente na estabilidade do óleo dos grãos em secagens com temperaturas de massa superiores a 40ºC e armazenamento em ambiente com umidade relativa do ar superior a 70%. D) Secagens com temperatura de massa superior a 60ºC só possibilitam estabilidade do óleo dos grãos em armazenamentos com umidade menor que 70% e até 200 dias.

To improve understanding of the effectiveness of host resistance against Leptosphaeria spp., three aspects of effectiveness of resistance were investigated. With focus on the major Rlm-mediated resistance against L. maculans, changes in effectiveness of Rlm7-mediated resistance to prevent initiation of disease epidemics at the leaf spot stage were investigated in winter oilseed rape field experiments at five sites in the UK over the period with the cropping seasons 2009/2010 - 2013/2014. L. maculans isolates virulent against Rlm7 were identified in the UK. This may be associated with observed changes in lesion phenotypes on the Rlm7 cultivars in field conditions. However, despite increased severity of phoma leaf spotting on Rlm7 cultivars, there was no associated increase in phoma stem canker severity at the end of the cropping seasons. The effectiveness of winter oilseed rape cultivars for control of phoma stem canker (caused by L. maculans or L. biglobosa) was affected by the coexistence of the two Leptosphaeria species in oilseed rape crops. Weather conditions influenced ascospore release of both species and favoured L. biglobosa ascospore release in 2011, resulting in subsequent increased L. biglobosa phoma leaf spotting and stem canker severity. However, coexistence of Leptosphaeria spp. on oilseed rape crops was affected by the cultivar resistance against L. maculans. CE experiments showed that there were interactions between the two Leptosphaeria spp. in planta. Their coexistence on B. napus was influenced by the different host responses that they trigger during host colonisation. Effects of increased temperature on effectiveness of resistance against L. maculans and on severity of symptoms by Leptosphaeria spp. on B. napus were investigated. Increased temperature affected both Rlm4- and Rlm7-mediated resistance, when assessed by phenotypic and molecular techniques. Increased temperature was associated with increased symptom severity, for both L. maculans and L. biglobosa lesions on plants. Cultivar quantitative resistance background increased effectiveness of resistance against phoma stem canker pathogens at increased temperature and should be deployed in in strategies for adaptation to climate change to avoid increased phoma stem canker epidemics in the future.

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Orientador: Maurício Dutra Zanotto / Resumo: O cártamo tem se destacado como uma cultura oleaginosa que apresenta aptidão para utilização no cerrado brasileiro, podendo ser inserida nos já consolidados sistemas de produção. A obtenção de genótipos adaptados é fundamental para o desenvolvimento da cultura, e o estudo da variabilidade genética e do desempenho agronômico em diferentes regiões contribui para a recomendação de novos materiais. Neste contexto foram implantados quatro experimentos independentes em duas regiões do Brasil para a avaliação de dez genótipos de cártamo em fase final de melhoramento (P43, P30, P28, P7, P35, P9, P11, P21, P31 e P14) e uma testemunha (IMA7326), sendo analisados os seguintes caracteres: altura de plantas (cm), número de ramos, número de capítulos, massa de mil sementes (g), teor de óleo (%), produtividade de grãos (kg ha-1) e produtividade de óleo (kg ha-1). Foi analisada a diversidade genética dos genótipos por meio de análise de similaridade, bem como foi determinada a estabilidade e adaptabilidade dos materiais por meio dos modelos mistos. Além disso, foram aplicados três índices de seleção distintos (Mulamba e Mock, distância ao ideótipo e índice de seleção de Garcia) nas características agronômicas para a determinação de genótipos superiores. Os genótipos P30, P7 e P31 apresentaram elevada estabilidade e adaptabilidade para produção de grãos nos ambientes avaliados e foram selecionados como materiais promissores para constituirem novos cruzamentos no programa de melhoramento de cá... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Safflower has stood out as an oilseed crop that is suitable for use in the Brazilian cerrado, and can be inserted in the already consolidated production systems. Obtaining adapted genotypes is essential for the development of crop, and the study of genetic variability and agronomic performance in different regions contributes to the recommendation of new materials. In this context, four independent experiments were implemented in two regions of Brazil to evaluate ten safflower genotypes in the final stage of improvement (P43, P30, P28, P7, P35, P9, P11, P21, P31 and P14) and IMA7326, being analyzed the following characters: plant height (cm), number of branches, number of capitules, thousand seed mass (g), oil content (%), grain yield (kg ha-1) and oil yield (kg ha-1). The genetic diversity of the genotypes was analyzed through similarity analysis, as well as the stability and adaptability of the materials through the mixed models. In addition, three different selection indexes (Mulamba and Mock, distance to ideotype and Garcia selection index) were applied to agronomic characteristics for the determination of superior genotypes. The genotypes P30, P7 and P31 showed high stability and adaptability for grain yield in the evaluated environments and were selected as promising materials to constitute new crosses in the safflower breeding program of FCA/UNESP. The genotypes P9, P11 and P21 showed stability and superior stability for oil yield and, therefore, stand out as suitable ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor