Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the influence of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) insecticidal seed treatments, planting date, and preemergence herbicides on thrips (Frankliniella fusca) infestations in cotton. Studies included a preemergence and soil texture evaluation on cotton development, an evaluation of thrips infestations, cotton development and yield following application of various preemergence herbicides and insecticidal seed treatments, and a planting date evaluation where different cultivars where planted with exclusion or inclusion of preemergence herbicide use at four different planting dates to determine the effect on thrips infestations, cotton development, and yield.

Insecticidal neonicotinoid seed treatments in agriculture is a common insect pest management strategy. Seed treatments have systemic and residual toxicity, which are effective against target insect pests. However, effects on other arthropod pests is less straightforward. We evaluated the effects of a neonicotinoid seed treatment, thiamethoxam, on two soybean pests, herbivorous two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) and an omnivore and facultative predator of spider mite eggs, western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande). We used greenhouse and laboratory experiments to evaluate thiamethoxam soybean seed treatments on spider mite densities and thrips omnivorous feeding behavior. Our results suggest seed treatment may encourage spider mite reproduction and influence thrips herbivory over egg predation when both resources are available. Implications of this study highlight the use of thiamethoxam soybean seed treatment as a potential contributor to increased spider mite populations, thrips reduced role as spider mite predator, and increased role as herbivorous pest.

The following dissertation has been developed into two chapters: chapter I aimed to evaluate the physiological and sanitary quality of rice seeds treated with fungicide and insecticide coated with polymers, as well as quantify the retention chemicals in seeds that were subjected to a simulated rainfall after planting. Chapter II aimed to verify the effects of the combination of phytosanitary treatment and coating with polymers rice seed germination and force, as well as quantify the potential for waste minimization pesticide and fungicide, released from rice seeds to soaking water by simulating the pre-germinated culture system. Both experiments were conducted in the Laboratório Didático e de Pesquisas em Sementes (LDPS), in the Laboratório de Análises e Resíduos de Pesticidas (LARP), and in the field, all the sites are property of the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. For such experiments, six rice seeds treatments have been applied, differing between the two chapters only the cultivars, BRS Sinuelo CL® (Chapter I) and EPAGRI 108 (Chapter II), and the phytosanitary treatment. The six treatments were: Control, phytosanitary treatment for Chapter I (fungicide Maxim XL® (active ingredient (i.a.): metalaxyl-M 25 g L-1 + fludioxonil 10 g L-1) and insecticide Cruiser 350® FS (i.a.: thiamethoxam 350 g L-1) and phytosanitary treatment for Chapter II (fungicide Derosal Plus® (i.a.: carbendazim 150 g L-1 + thiram 350 g L-1) and insecticide Cruiser 350® FS (i.a. thiamethoxam 350 g L-1), phytosanitary treatment and coating with polymers: Florite 1127®, Resin Sólid GV5®, Polyseed CF® and Verm Dynaseed®. Assessments were related to physiological and health quality and, through analysis of germination and some seed vigor tests of two rice cultivars sown in substrate paper, sand and soil. In Chapter I, aiming to determine the retention of Active metalaxyl-m and thiamethoxam ingredients, it was mounted a piece of equipment called extractor, consisting of PVC pipes, forming a sand column of 0.10 m where seeding was carried out for five seeds in each tube. It was then simulated a precipitation of 50 mm for 10 min. Samples of the leachate were collected and taken for analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. In Chapter II, it was simulated the process of pre-germination, the retention of the active ingredients thiamethoxam and carbendazim was carried out by analyzing the compounds of the soaking water, also by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) has been applied for the experiments with eight and four replications and the means were compared by Scott Knott s test (p≤0.05). The results in Chapter I and II, regarding chemical seed treatment and polymers coating, did not affect the germination and vigor according to the tests for the two rice cultivars. The polymers Resin Solid GV5®, Polyseed CF®, and Verm Dynaseed® retained 27%, 22%, and 23% more thiamethoxam within rice seeds that were subjected to leaching compared to phytosanitary treatment without the use of polymers. And the retention of thiamethoxam was 12% more, when it was used Florite 1127® and the retention of carbendazim, polymers PolySeed CF® and Vermont Dynaseed contributed 13% and 35% more from seed, as compared to seeds which received no coating with polymers (phitosanitary treatment) via soaking at pre-germinating rice seeds. The combination of chemical seed treatment and coating with polymers can minimize environmental impacts caused by contamination of groundwater by leaching of chemicals or contaminated water originating from different rice cultivation systems. / O trabalho de tese foi desenvolvido em dois capítulos: O capítulo I com o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade fisiológica e sanitária de sementes de arroz tratadas com fungicida e inseticida recobertas com polímeros, bem como quantificar a retenção de produtos químicos em sementes que foram submetidas a uma precipitação simulada logo após a semeadura. O capítulo II com o objetivo de verificar os efeitos da associação do tratamento fitossanitário e recobrimento com polímeros em sementes de arroz na germinação e no vigor, assim como, quantificar o potencial de minimização de resíduos do inseticida e do fungicida, liberados das sementes de arroz para a água de embebição, através da simulação do sistema de cultivo pré-germinado. Ambos experimentos foram realizados no Laboratório Didático e de Pesquisas em Sementes (LDPS), no Laboratório de Análises e Resíduos de Pesticidas (LARP), e a campo, todos os locais pertencentes a Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Nesses experimentos foram usados seis tratamentos de sementes de arroz, diferindo entre os dois capítulo apenas as cultivares, BRS Sinuelo CL® (capítulo I) e EPAGRI 108 (capítulo II) e o tratamento fitossanitário. Os seis tratamentos foram: Controle, tratamento fitossanitário para o capítulo I (Fungicida Maxim XL® (ingrediente ativo (i.a): metalaxil-M 25 g L-1 + fludioxonil 10 g L-1) e inseticida Cruiser 350® FS (i.a. thiamethoxam 350 g L-1) e tratamento fitossanitário para capítulo II (fungicida Derosal Plus® (i.a: carbendazim 150g L-1 + thiram 350 g L-1) e inseticida Cruiser 350® FS (i.a. thiamethoxam 350g L-1), tratamento fitossanitário e recobrimento com os polímeros: Florite 1127®, Resin Sólid GV5®, Polyseed CF® e o Verm Dynaseed®. As avaliações foram referentes a qualidade sanitária e fisiológica, através de análises de germinação e de alguns testes de vigor de sementes das duas cultivares de arroz semeadas em substrato papel, areia e solo. No capítulo I para determinar a retenção dos ingredientes ativos metalaxil-M, e thiamethoxam, foi montado um equipamento denominado extrator, constituído de tubos de PVC, formando uma coluna de areia de 0,10 m onde foi realizada a semeadura de cinco sementes em cada tubo, após foi simulada uma precipitação de 50 mm durante 10 min. Amostras do lixiviado foram coletadas e levadas para análise, através da Cromatografia Líquida Acoplada à Espectrometria de Massas. E no capítulo II foi simulado o processo de pré-germinação das sementes, a retenção dos ingredientes ativos thiamethoxam e carbendazim foi realizada analisando os compostos da água de embebição, também, através da Cromatografia Líquida Acoplada à Espectrometria de Massas. Para os experimentos foi usado o delineamento inteiramente casualisado (DIC) com oito e quatro repetições e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Scott Knott (p≤0,05). Os resultados encontrados no capítulo I e II, com relação ao tratamento químico de sementes e recobrimento de polímeros, esses não afetaram negativamente a germinação e vigor, através de alguns testes, para as duas cultivares de arroz. Os polímeros Resin Solid GV5®, Polyseed CF® e o Verm Dynaseed® reteram, 27%, 22% e 23% a mais, do thiamethoxam junto às sementes de arroz que foram submetidas a lixiviação comparados ao tratamento fitossanitário sem o uso de polímeros. E a retenção do thiamethoxam foi de 12% a mais, quando foi usado o polímero Florite 1127® e na retenção do carbendazim os polímeros Polyseed CF® e o Verm Dynaseed contribuíram com 13% e 35% a mais junto às sementes, quando comparados às sementes que não receberam recobrimento com polímeros (tratamento fitossanitário) através do processo de embebição na pré-germinação de sementes de arroz. A associação do tratamento químico de sementes e recobrimento com polímeros podem minimizar impactos ambientais causados pela contaminação de águas subterrâneas pela lixiviação de compostos químicos ou por águas contaminadas oriundos dos diferentes sistemas de cultivo de arroz irrigado.

Bumble bees provide valuable pollination services to many agricultural crops and wild flower species. Consequently, evidence that wild populations are in decline has caused widespread concern. Among multiple causal factors, some have singled out neonicotinoid pesticides as potentially a major contributor to these declines. Bumble bees are exposed to neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, whilst foraging for nectar and pollen from treated crops. For neonicotinoids to cause population decline, the typical residues that bumble bees encounter in the field (defined here as between 1–12 μg kg-1) should be capable of reducing colony success by detrimentally impacting demographically relevant endpoints such as reproduction and worker performance. Whether field-realistic neonicotinoids are capable of causing such effects is yet to be fully established. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of field-realistic neonicotinoids on endpoints of demographic importance and improve understanding of the effect mechanisms of neonicotinoids in bumble bees. Laboratory experiments were conducted with Bombus terrestris L. exposed to dietary neonicotinoids up to 98 μg kg-1. Results showed that food consumption and production of brood (eggs and larvae) in queenless B. terrestris microcolonies were significantly reduced by the two highest concentrations of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam tested (39, 98 μg kg-1), but only imidacloprid produced a negative effect when concentrations were in the typical field-realistic range. Imidacloprid’s affect on microcolonies was mirrored in queenright colonies where field-realistic concentrations substantively reduced both feeding and brood production. It was postulated that the detrimental effects of imidacloprid on brood production emerge principally from nutrient limitation imposed by the failure of individuals to feed. Removing imidacloprid from the bees’ diet resulted in the recovery of feeding and brood production in queenright colonies, even when previously exposed to high doses (98 μg kg-1). Investigation into the effect mechanisms of imidacloprid in B. terrestris revealed that cytochrome P450 enzymes are not important for metabolism of the neonicotinoid in adult workers. A transcriptomic analysis indicated B. terrestris exhibit a general stress response to imidacloprid, characterised by the alteration in expression of genes involved in, for example, metabolism and storage of energy. The thesis findings raise further concern about the threat of imidacloprid to wild bumble bees. However, they also suggest that some demographically important endpoints are resilient to imidacloprid as a realistic pulsed exposure, and that bumble bees may be less sensitive to field-realistic concentrations of thiamethoxam. Further research, which is required to fully establish the demographic consequences for bumble bees of exposure to neonicotinoids, can be developed based on the foundation of work presented here.

Designed for the protection of major agricultural crops, neonicotinoids are the fastest-growing class of insecticides used against a broad spectrum of insect pests. Although neonicotinoid toxicity toward non-target organisms (e.g., bees, aquatic insects) has been well-studied, less is known about their distribution of use, transport, and fate in North American agroecosystems. This is especially true of neonicotinoid interactions with wetlands in the Canadian Prairies. Between 2009 and 2012, neonicotinoid use as a seed treatment increased by 30% across the Canadian Prairies. During spring 2012 to spring 2013, I sampled water and sediment from 136 wetlands situated in a range of crop types across central Saskatchewan to determine the extent of neonicotinoid contamination. Wetlands situated in oat, canola, and barley fields consistently contained higher neonicotinoid concentrations in water than in grasslands, but no single crop influenced overall detections. Neonicotinoid detections in water varied from 16% (fall 2012) to 91% (spring 2013) with peak concentrations up to 3110 ng/L found in summer. I found numerous detections of neonicotinoids in spring, after ice-off, but before seeding. Through sampling snow, snow meltwater, and soil particulates from previously treated (clothianidin) and untreated fields, meltwater showed the strongest relationship to initial spring concentrations in wetland water. Neonicotinoid concentrations increased with time in shallow temporary wetlands which appeared most at risk for annual contamination. While snowmelt contamination influenced water concentrations in spring, peak concentrations in wetlands were consistently found during summer sampling completed in 2012-2014. Rapid wetland assessments completed on 238 wetlands (summer of 2012 and 2013) revealed key ecological, hydrological and landscape features that influenced neonicotinoid detections and peak concentrations in Prairie wetlands. The results of my exploratory analysis indicated that plant community composition is a key indicator and/or driver of both detection and concentration of neonicotinoids in Prairie wetlands. In particular, specific shallow marsh plants were commonly associated with either higher (e.g., Scirpus validus) or lower (e.g., Mentha arvensis) neonicotinoid concentrations in natural wetlands suggesting wetland macrophytes in this zone may be either indicators of agricultural disturbance intensity or differentially capable of accumulating the insecticide in its tissue. Therefore, in 2014, I conducted an outdoor microcosm experiment to evaluate thiamethoxam uptake from water by Typha latifolia and Alisma triviale using two concentrations over a 7-day period. Experimental results found some trace positive detections but no quantifiable accumulation of the insecticide in plant tissues. This is despite the fact that results of my 2015 field study found species of Typha, Alisma and Equisetum had neonicotinoids more frequently detected in their tissues, at concentrations ranging from 1.01-8.44 ug/kg. My findings demonstrate that neonicotinoid distribution and fate in Canadian Prairie agroecosystems is driven by interactions between ecological, hydrological, and landscape characteristics. Consequently, these drivers regulate neonicotinoid exposure and persistence in ecologically important regional wetlands. In order to effectively conserve these critical waterbodies, conservation planning should consider the importance of maintaining naturally diverse vegetation zones to mitigate insecticide exposure to wetland-dependant organisms.

Neonicotinoid exposure has been recognised as potentially impacting upon bee health, but whether realistic exposure scenarios are driving declines in bee health is not known. This thesis contributes new insights and perspectives to this research field investigating the use of molecular, physiological and behavioural endpoints as potential ecotoxicological markers for pesticide risk assessment. The thesis presents experimental data for dietary exposures of the European honey bee, Apis mellifera, and the buff-tailed bumble bee, Bombus terrestris, to one of two neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. The first part of this thesis explores impacts of chronic dietary exposures to neonicotinoid pesticides on bee immunocompetence- the ability to mount an immune response- using an artificial challenge to invoke an immune response in adult workers. Levels of phenoloxidase, an enzyme involved in melanisation and part of the bee’s defence system, were largely constitutive and resilient to exposure in honey bees and bumble bees. In honey bees, transient transcriptional changes in antimicrobial effector genes were observed following neonicotinoid exposure, but the physiological antimicrobial response was unaffected. In bumble bees, the induced antimicrobial response was impaired following neonicotinoid exposure, but only when exposed to concentrations likely higher than realistic environmental exposure scenarios. The next phase of this thesis investigates whether transcriptional, physiological and behavioural endpoints associated with the functioning of the honey bee hypopharyngeal gland were altered by imidacloprid exposure. Imidacloprid exposure led to transcriptional changes in foraging genes (associated with the control of temporal polyethism) and major royal jelly proteins (fed to developing larvae by nurse workers) and enzymatic changes in glucose oxidase (an enzyme involved in social immunity), which I hypothesise are linked with hypopharyngeal gland development. Despite these laboratory observations, no behavioural effects were observed in a field setting, monitored using Radio Frequency Identification transponders. Lastly, using RNA-Sequencing to investigate changes across the honey bee transcriptome, this thesis identified a suite of genes that were differentially expressed in adult workers in response to immune challenge and/or dietary neonicotinoid exposure. Wounding and bacterial-like infection led to upregulation of known immune genes, including a peptidoglycan recognition protein and antimicrobial effectors. Chronic exposure to thiamethoxam and imidacloprid led to downregulation of genes associated with several metabolic pathways, such as oxidative phosphorylation, pyruvate- and purine- metabolic pathways, as well as ribosomal activity. Some of these genes identified provide candidates for further study to elucidate functional effects mechanisms and better understand health outcomes, as well as potential new biomarkers for use in pesticide risk assessment. This thesis presents novel findings and offers opportunities for future research that will be of interest to a wide audience, including risk assessors and policy makers, as well as the broader biological community, including ecotoxicologists, insect physiologists and molecular biologists.

Thiamethoxam and clothianidin are two neonicotinoids used in seed coatings for crops such as corn and soybeans. Both neonicotinoids have high solubility in water, so they are prone to transport via leaching and runoff. This thesis is comprised of two studies that evaluated potential solutions to mitigate neonicotinoid transport from fields. The first study examined the relationship between soil organic carbon content and neonicotinoid transport in a field planted in soybeans. Soils with increased organic carbon leached less thiamethoxam and clothianidin during early growing season leaching peaks; however, at the end of the season, higher organic carbon content only decreased leached mass of clothianidin. The second study was to determine neonicotinoid uptake of different ground covers used as cover crops or edge-of-field buffer strips, as well as the partitioning of thiamethoxam and clothianidin throughout the plants. Ground covers, such as crimson clover, had the highest recovery of applied thiamethoxam, meaning that it may be a good candidate to retain this pesticide in fields. Thiamethoxam and clothianidin concentrations were higher in leaf tissues than in stems or roots, indicating that above-ground biomass removal may be an effective way to reduce neonicotinoid loading in the environment. From these studies, I concluded 1) practices that raise the amount of organic carbon in the soil may help decrease early-season neonicotinoid transport, resulting in lower concentrations in surrounding waterways, and 2) careful selection of plant species, such as crimson clover, may help reduce neonicotinoid transport in the environment, while potentially reducing exposure to beneficial insects. / Master of Science / Pesticides called neonicotinoids are commonly applied to seeds in row crops, such as corn and soybeans, before they are planted. These pesticides are highly soluble in water, which can lead to them exiting fields through runoff or leaching. This thesis is comprised of two studies that examined several potential solutions for decreasing the amount of neonicotinoids available for transport. The first study examined the relationship between organic carbon in the soil and neonicotinoids, and whether this relationship helps to retain neonicotinoids in a soybean field. Soils with high organic carbon content decreased the amount of neonicotinoids exiting the field during early growing season storms; however, at the end of the season, high organic carbon content only decreased losses for one of the pesticides studied. The second study was to determine which of six plant species and two mixes used as cover crops or buffers were the most effective at removing neonicotinoids from soil, as well as where in the plant these neonicotinoids go after uptake. Ground covers, such as crimson clover, had the highest recovery of applied neonicotinoids, meaning they would be good candidates for planting around fields. Ultimately, neonicotinoid accumulation was higher in leaves than in stems or roots, meaning that removing and disposing of leaves in an environmentally safe way could be an effective way to decrease neonicotinoid pollution. From these two studies, I found that 1) increasing organic matter in the soil can stop neonicotinoids from exiting the area it was applied in, and 2) careful consideration of plant species in or around the field may help intercept neonicotinoids before they exit the field.

A cana-de-açúcar é uma espécie amplamente cultivada em regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Sua propagação é realizada através do plantio de porções caulinares contendo uma média de três gemas. Tal prática requer grande quantidade de material vegetal, o que reduz o ganho dos produtores. Adicionalmente, a utilização de grande quantidade de material vegetal para o plantio dificulta algumas práticas em relação ao manejo da cultura, como transporte e armazenamento. A utilização de mini-toletes, contendo uma única gema, representa uma alternativa ao plantio convencional. Existem limitações impostas à utilização de mini-toletes, relacionadas à baixa disponibilidade de reservas de nutrientes e de água, devido ao reduzido tamanho dos toletes. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar o vigor e o desenvolvimento de plantas de cana-de-açúcar provenientes de mini-toletes. No primeiro experimento, comparou-se plantas provenientes de diferentes tipos de propágulos e gemas. Foram avaliados o número de brotações, a porcentagem de brotações, a altura das plantas e as massas de folhas e raízes. No segundo experimento, avaliou-se o efeito da aplicação de biorreguladores em mini-toletes provenientes de gemas apicais e basais. Foram realizadas as determinações do número de brotações, da altura das plantas, da área foliar e das massas secas de folhas e colmos. No terceiro experimento, avaliou-se a aplicação de ureia como fonte de adubação nitrogenada e tiametoxam, um inseticida sistêmico com ação bioativadora, no desenvolvimento de plantas originárias de mini-toletes. Realizaram-se as seguintes determinações: número de brotações, altura das plantas, área foliar e massas secas de colmos, folhas e raízes. No quarto experimento, plantas de cana-de-açúcar originárias de mini-toletes tratados com agroquímicos foram submetidas ao déficit hídrico. Foram avaliadas a altura das plantas, a área foliar e as massas de raiz, folha e caule. Foi possível concluir que plantas provenientes de gemas superiores e de toletes contendo três e duas gemas apresentaram um melhor desenvolvimento. De maneira geral, os resultados indicaram que a cana-de-açúcar não responde de maneira evidente ao uso de reguladores vegetais em mini-toletes. A utilização de ureia aumenta o desenvolvimento de plantas originárias de mini-toletes. Em conjunto com diferentes doses de ureia, a utilização de tiametoxam incrementa aspectos do desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar. Adicionalmente, foi possível concluir que a aplicação de agroquímicos em mini-toletes alivia os efeitos negativos do déficit hídrico no desenvolvimento radicular. A partir dos resultados obtidos no presente trabalho, foi possível concluir que a utilização de ureia, tiametoxam e agroquímicos melhora o desenvolvimento de plantas de cana-de-açúcar originárias de mini-toletes. / The sugarcane is a widely cultivated species in tropical and subtropical regions. Its propagation is done by planting stem portions containing an average of three buds. Such practice requires large amounts of plant material, which reduces the gain of the producers. Additionally, the use of large amounts of plant material for planting difficult practices regarding crop management, such as transportation and storage. The use of small stalks having a single bud is an alternative to conventional planting. There are limitations to the use of small stalks, related to low availability of nutrients and water reserves due to the small size of the stalks. This study aimed to assess the vigor and the development of sugarcane plants originated from small stalks. In the first experiment, plants were compared from different types of propagules and buds. We evaluated the number of sprouts, the percentage of sprouts, the plant height and the weight of leaves and roots. In the second experiment, we evaluated the effect of the bioregulators application in small stalks from apical and basal buds. They were carried out determinations of the number of sprouts, plant height, leaf area and dry weight of leaves and stems. In the third experiment, we evaluated the use of urea as a source of nitrogen fertilization and thiamethoxam, a systemic insecticide with bioactivator action in the development of plants from small stalks. The following evaluations were performed: number of sproutings, plant height, leaf area and dry mass of stems, leaves and roots. In the fourth experiment, sugarcane plants from small stalks treated with agrochemicals were subjected to water deficit. The plant height, the leaf area and the root, leaf and stem weights were evaluated. It was concluded that plants from upper buds and stalks containing three and two buds had a better development. Overall, the results indicated that sugarcane does not respond overtly to the use of plant growth regulators in small stalks. The use of urea increases the development of plants from small stalks. Together with different doses of urea, the use of thiamethoxam increments aspects of the development of sugarcane. In addition, it was concluded that the application of agrochemicals in small stalks alleviates the negative effects of water stress on root development. From the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that the use of urea, thiamethoxam and agrochemicals improves the development of sugarcane plants originated from small stalks.

A cana-de-açúcar é uma espécie amplamente cultivada em regiões tropicais e subtropicais. Sua propagação é realizada através do plantio de porções caulinares contendo uma média de três gemas. Tal prática requer grande quantidade de material vegetal, o que reduz o ganho dos produtores. Adicionalmente, a utilização de grande quantidade de material vegetal para o plantio dificulta algumas práticas em relação ao manejo da cultura, como transporte e armazenamento. A utilização de mini-toletes, contendo uma única gema, representa uma alternativa ao plantio convencional. Existem limitações impostas à utilização de mini-toletes, relacionadas à baixa disponibilidade de reservas de nutrientes e de água, devido ao reduzido tamanho dos toletes. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar o vigor e o desenvolvimento de plantas de cana-de-açúcar provenientes de mini-toletes. No primeiro experimento, comparou-se plantas provenientes de diferentes tipos de propágulos e gemas. Foram avaliados o número de brotações, a porcentagem de brotações, a altura das plantas e as massas de folhas e raízes. No segundo experimento, avaliou-se o efeito da aplicação de biorreguladores em mini-toletes provenientes de gemas apicais e basais. Foram realizadas as determinações do número de brotações, da altura das plantas, da área foliar e das massas secas de folhas e colmos. No terceiro experimento, avaliou-se a aplicação de ureia como fonte de adubação nitrogenada e tiametoxam, um inseticida sistêmico com ação bioativadora, no desenvolvimento de plantas originárias de mini-toletes. Realizaram-se as seguintes determinações: número de brotações, altura das plantas, área foliar e massas secas de colmos, folhas e raízes. No quarto experimento, plantas de cana-de-açúcar originárias de mini-toletes tratados com agroquímicos foram submetidas ao déficit hídrico. Foram avaliadas a altura das plantas, a área foliar e as massas de raiz, folha e caule. Foi possível concluir que plantas provenientes de gemas superiores e de toletes contendo três e duas gemas apresentaram um melhor desenvolvimento. De maneira geral, os resultados indicaram que a cana-de-açúcar não responde de maneira evidente ao uso de reguladores vegetais em mini-toletes. A utilização de ureia aumenta o desenvolvimento de plantas originárias de mini-toletes. Em conjunto com diferentes doses de ureia, a utilização de tiametoxam incrementa aspectos do desenvolvimento da cana-de-açúcar. Adicionalmente, foi possível concluir que a aplicação de agroquímicos em mini-toletes alivia os efeitos negativos do déficit hídrico no desenvolvimento radicular. A partir dos resultados obtidos no presente trabalho, foi possível concluir que a utilização de ureia, tiametoxam e agroquímicos melhora o desenvolvimento de plantas de cana-de-açúcar originárias de mini-toletes. / The sugarcane is a widely cultivated species in tropical and subtropical regions. Its propagation is done by planting stem portions containing an average of three buds. Such practice requires large amounts of plant material, which reduces the gain of the producers. Additionally, the use of large amounts of plant material for planting difficult practices regarding crop management, such as transportation and storage. The use of small stalks having a single bud is an alternative to conventional planting. There are limitations to the use of small stalks, related to low availability of nutrients and water reserves due to the small size of the stalks. This study aimed to assess the vigor and the development of sugarcane plants originated from small stalks. In the first experiment, plants were compared from different types of propagules and buds. We evaluated the number of sprouts, the percentage of sprouts, the plant height and the weight of leaves and roots. In the second experiment, we evaluated the effect of the bioregulators application in small stalks from apical and basal buds. They were carried out determinations of the number of sprouts, plant height, leaf area and dry weight of leaves and stems. In the third experiment, we evaluated the use of urea as a source of nitrogen fertilization and thiamethoxam, a systemic insecticide with bioactivator action in the development of plants from small stalks. The following evaluations were performed: number of sproutings, plant height, leaf area and dry mass of stems, leaves and roots. In the fourth experiment, sugarcane plants from small stalks treated with agrochemicals were subjected to water deficit. The plant height, the leaf area and the root, leaf and stem weights were evaluated. It was concluded that plants from upper buds and stalks containing three and two buds had a better development. Overall, the results indicated that sugarcane does not respond overtly to the use of plant growth regulators in small stalks. The use of urea increases the development of plants from small stalks. Together with different doses of urea, the use of thiamethoxam increments aspects of the development of sugarcane. In addition, it was concluded that the application of agrochemicals in small stalks alleviates the negative effects of water stress on root development. From the results obtained in this study, it was concluded that the use of urea, thiamethoxam and agrochemicals improves the development of sugarcane plants originated from small stalks.

No description available.