O Brasil é destaque mundial na produção, na exportação e no consumo de café. Esta cultura ocupa cerca de dois milhões de hectares no território brasileiro, sendo plantada principalmente nos estados de MG, ES, SP e BA. A irrigação está presente em cerca de 10% da área plantada do cafeeiro arábica, já para o café robusta, este valor chega a 35%, o que torna o café uma das principais culturas irrigadas do Brasil. Porém, o déficit hídrico tornou-se o principal fator limitante da produção cafeeira, devido a expansão da cafeicultura para áreas consideradas marginais. A resposta do cafeeiro ao estresse hídrico pode ser avaliada utilizando-se medidas de potencial de água na folha no pré amanhecer, no entanto, essa metodologia restringe-se a atividades de pesquisa. O uso do CWSI (Crop Water Stress Index) calculado através da temperatura foliar como indicativo do potencial hídrico pode ser uma alternativa. O objetivo deste trabalho foi definir as relações entre o potencial de água na folha da cultura do café com o CWSI calculado através de medidas de temperatura com canhão infravermelho e com câmera térmica e analisar se estas relações apresentam bons índices de correlação, de precisão e de acurácia. O estudo foi realizado em um ambiente protegido localizado na área de pesquisa do Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas na Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\". A espécie plantada foi a Coffea arabica da variedade Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144, o sistema de irrigação adotado foi o gotejamento e o manejo foi feito por tensiometria. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados, sendo este formado por quatro blocos e quatro lâminas de irrigação (L130%, L100%, L70% e L40%) aplicadas em quatro épocas distintas (30/03 a 24/04, 07/06 a 02/07, 17/08 a 11/09 e 10/10 a 04/11) ao longo do ano de 2015. A unidade experimental foi representada por uma caixa com uma planta. Foram avaliadas a fração de radiação fotossinteticamente ativa interceptada, o potencial de água na folha e a temperatura foliar. A partir dos dados de temperatura foliar e dos dados meteorológicos calculouse o CWSI. As três variáveis avaliadas apresentaram relações significativas com os tratamentos impostos. O CWSI calculado para as diferentes situações e o potencial de água na folha apresentaram correlações bem representadas pelos modelos linear e cúbico. Os mesmos modelos apresentaram altos índices de precisão e acurácia. Conclui-se que o CWSI é um bom indicador do potencial hídrico da cultura do cafeeiro e pode substituir medidas do potencial de água na folha realizadas na câmara de Scholander. / Brazil is the world featured in production, export and consumption of coffee. This crop occupies about two million hectares in our country, it is mainly planted in state MG, ES, SP and BA. Irrigation is present in about 10% of the area planted arabica coffee, as for robusta coffee, this figure reaches 35%, which makes coffee one of the main irrigated crops in Brazil. But the drought has become the main limiting factor of coffee production due to the coffee growing expansion into areas considered marginal. The coffee response to water stress can be evaluated using water potential measurements on the sheet in the pre dawn, however, this methodology is limited to research activities. The use of CWSI (Crop Water Stress Index) calculated by leaf temperature as an indicator of water potential may be an alternative. The objective of this study was to define the relationship between the potential of water in the coffee culture of the sheet with the CWSI calculated from temperature measurements with infrared gun and thermal camera and analyze if these relations have good levels of correlation, accuracy and accuracy. The study was conducted in a protected environment located in the area of research in the Department of Biosystems Engineering at the School of Agriculture \"Luiz de Queiroz\". The planted species was the Coffea arabica variety Catuaí IAC 144, the adopted irrigation system was dripping and management was made by tensiometers. We used the randomized block design, which is made up of four blocks and four irrigation levels (L130%, L100%, L70% and L40%) applied in four different times (30/03 a 24/04, 07/06 a 02/07, 17/08 a 11/09 e 10/10 a 04/11) the 2015 year long. The unit experimental was represented by a box with a plant. We evaluated the intercepted photosynthetically active radiation fraction, water potential in the leaf and the leaf temperature. From the leaf temperature data and meteorological data we calculated the CWSI. The three variables evaluated showed significant relationships with tax treatments. The CWSI calculated for different situations and the potential of water in the sheet showed correlations well represented by linear and cubic models. The same models showed high precision and accuracy. It is concluded that the CWSI is a good indicator of water potential of the coffee crop and can replace water potential measurements on the sheet held in Scholander chamber.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-08-24T12:11:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Elaine Cristina Alves da Silva.pdf: 1186963 bytes, checksum: 0669a44f8869ee386007139a1776b318 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-24T12:11:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Elaine Cristina Alves da Silva.pdf: 1186963 bytes, checksum: 0669a44f8869ee386007139a1776b318 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The problems related to the distribution of rainfall tend to intensify as global warming, resulting in economic losses, mainly for the semi-arid region. The Moringa oleifera Lam. is a species that has a variety of uses and can be an alternative crop for semiarid. Given the above, this work aimed to evaluate the initial responses in seedlings of moringa in greenhouse under adverse environmental conditions in two trials (water and salt). Parameters such as water relations, gas exchange, quantum efficiency of photosystem II, concentration of photosynthetic pigments, organic solutes and enzyme activity. For the first test we used four water treatments: control (C), 5 day watering suppression (5d SR), 10 days suppression watering (10d SR) and reirrigado (RI) and the 2 test were used three treatments saline: 0 mM NaCl (C), 75 mM NaCl (EM) and 150 mM NaCl (ES) into three periods of exposure to stress 2, 24 and 48 hours. As the results of Test 1, it was observed that the treatment was more affected 10d SR, where plants of this treatment had reduced water potential however their relative water content was maintained. The variables of gas exchange for such plants were all reduced compared to the control. The quantum efficiency of photosystem II was not affected which allowed the recovery of most of the variables after reirrigação. Regarding organic solutes observed a reduction in the leaves of these plants subjected to treatment 10d SR, however for roots and tubers observed the reverse, where these plants showed the highest values.The activity of the enzyme ascorbate peroxidase was enhanced in roots treatment 10d SR and IR, and catalase activity was enhanced in the leaves of plants subjected to treatment and reduced RI roots. he results of test 2 showed that plants subjected to ES showed the lowest values for the water relations and gas exchange, which were intensified with prolonged stress. In general, it can be observed that increased concentrations of solutes in the roots and tubers. The activity of the enzyme ascorbate peroxidase was enhanced in roots treatment 10d SR and IR, and catalase activity was enhanced in the leaves of plants subjected to treatment and reduced RI roots. The results of test 2 showed that plants subjected to ES showed the lowest values for the water relations and gas exchange, which were intensified with prolonged stress. In general, it can be observed that increased concentrations of solutes in the roots and tubers. The activity of the enzyme ascorbate peroxidase was intensified in the leaves and roots and tubers decreased, while catalase activity was higher only in the leaves. These results were different from plants subjected to ES, because they were very similar to plants of treatment C for most variables. The suppression water 10 days was not enough to cause damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, allowing the same recover in just 24 hours reirrigação. Plants subjected to EM were not affected, because for the majority of variables, these plants showed similar treatment plants C. Unlike plants subjected to ES all parameters were drastically affected and although it increased the enzyme activity, this was not enough to prevent the damage caused by salt stress. / Os problemas relacionados com a distribuição de chuvas tendem a se intensificarem com o aquecimento global, o que resulta em prejuízos econômicos, principalmente para a região do semiárido. A Moringa oleifera Lam. é uma espécie que apresenta uma diversidade de usos e pode ser uma alternativa de cultivo para o semiárido. Diante do exposto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as respostas iniciais em mudas de moringa em casa de vegetação sob condições ambientais adversas em dois ensaios (hídrico e salino). Foram avaliados parâmetros como, relações hídricas, trocas gasosas, eficiência quântica do fotossistema II, concentração de pigmentos fotossintetizantes, solutos orgânicos e a atividade enzimática. Para o ensaio 1 foram utilizados quatro tratamentos hídricos: controle (C), 5 dias de supressão de rega (5d SR), 10 dias de supressão de rega (10d SR) e reirrigado (RI) e para o ensaio 2 foram utilizados três tratamentos salinos: 0 mM de NaCl (C), 75 mM de NaCl (EM) e 150 mM de NaCl (ES) em três períodos de exposição ao estresse 2, 24 e 48 horas. Como resultados do ensaio 1, observou-se que o tratamento mais afetado foi 10d SR, onde as plantas deste tratamento tiveram seu potencial hídrico reduzido no entanto seu teor relativo de água foi mantido. As variáveis das trocas gasosas para estas mesmas plantas foram todas reduzidas em relação ao controle. A eficiência quântica do fotossistema II não foi afetada o que possibilitou a recuperação da maioria das variáveis após a reirrigação. Em relação aos solutos orgânicos observou-se uma redução destes nas folhas das plantas submetidas ao tratamento 10d SR, no entanto para as raízes e túberas observou-se o inverso, onde estas plantas apresentaram os maiores valores. A atividade da enzima ascorbato peroxidade foi intensificada nas raízes das plantas do tratamento 10d SR e RI, e a atividade da catalase foi intensificada nas folhas das plantas submetidas ao tratamento RI e reduzida nas raízes. Como resultados do ensaio 2 observou-se que as plantas submetidas ao ES, apresentaram os menores valores para as relações hídricas e trocas gasosas, que foram se intensificando com o prolongamento do estresse. De modo geral, pode-se observar que os teores de solutos aumentaram nas raízes e túberas. A atividade da enzima ascorbato peroxidase foi intensificada nas folhas e reduzida nas raízes e túberas, enquanto a atividade da catalase foi maior apenas nas folhas. Estes resultados foram diferentes das plantas submetidas ao EM, pois estas apresentaram valores semelhantes às plantas do tratamento C para a maioria das variáveis avaliadas. A supressão hídrica de 10 dias não foi suficiente para provocar danos ao aparato fotossintético, possibilitando a mesma recuperar-se em apenas 24 horas de reirrigação. As plantas submetidas ao EM não foram afetadas, pois para a maioria das variáveis avaliadas, estas plantas apresentaram valores semelhantes as plantas do tratamento C. Diferentemente das plantas submetidas ao ES todos os parâmetros avaliados foram afetados drasticamente e embora tenham aumentado a atividade enzimática, esta não foi suficiente para impedir os danos provocados pelo estresse salino.

Regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is the strategy of reducing irrigation rates during a specific period of growth and development, with the objective of conserving water and managing plant growth while maintaining or improving yield and fruit quality. Mature tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L. 'Montmorency') trees in a commercial orchard were subjected to a range of irrigation deficits from pit hardening to harvest during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Irrigation treatments replaced from 62% to 96% of ETc, during that period. Midday stem water potential measurements were significantly different among treatments before harvest. However, fresh weight yield at harvest did not differ significantly among irrigation treatments in either year (P-value=0.64). In 2008 the amount of undersized fruit eliminated during packout was significantly higher in the treatments replacing 61% and 68% of ETc than in the control (P-value<0.0001), but only amounted to 2.0% and 1.4% of total yields, respectively. This small increase in undersized fruit did not significantly affect packout. Fruit quality measurements, such as soluble solids concentration and chroma of whole intact fruit, increased with the severity of the irrigation deficit. Visible surface bark damage from mechanical harvesting appeared less severe as deficit levels increased. Return bloom was not significantly affected by irrigation treatments.

Two separate experiments were designed to assess the value of Lacy Buckwheat (Eriogonum corymbosum ) as a low water landscape plant. Low water use landscapes can contribute to water conservation in arid climates. Developing a palette of plants that are both attractive and drought tolerant can promote the acceptance of low water use landscapes as an alternative to the traditional bluegrass landscapes of the Intermountain West. Eriogonum corymbosum is an attractive subshrub species native to low rainfall areas of the Colorado Plateau. A strip plot design containing four repetitions with four randomly assigned plants each of Eriogonum corymbosum , Eriogonum thompsoniaeand the control species Cornus sericea `Kelseyi' was established to determine E.corymbosum tolerance to frequent irrigation. Two water treatments were assigned to the repetitions for each species. One treatment was watered by a drip irrigation system with sixteen liters of water every three days; the other treatment was not watered. Stomatal conductance (Gs) and plant water potential were assessed weekly for each species from June through August for the years 2009 and 2010. In 2009 and 2010 bothEriogonum accessions showed no significant difference with the water treatment/accession interaction. NeitherE. corymbosum accession exhibited differences in stomatal conductance or water potential between the wet and dry treatments for the length of study season over both years.Cornus sericea `Kelseyi' showed less ability to withstand the prolonged dry frequencies. Eriogonum corymbosum has many aesthetic qualities, in addition to being drought tolerant, such as long duration late season blooming of yellow and white flowers, and an appealing hemispherical crown shape. A second study was designed to investigate the morphological diversity of thirteen Eriogonum accessions collected in the state of Utah and established in a common garden. Nineteen different variables made up of both quantitative and qualitative morphological characteristics comprised of leaf, canopy and floral characteristics were selected to compare between and within accessions. These characteristics were observed or measured, then used in a Multidimensional Preference analysis (MDPREF) to facilitate the selection of potential cultivars. The MDPREF is useful in selecting accessions with unique combinations of ornamental characteristics that could have a marketable advantage.

To decrease dependency of fossil fuels and avoid direct competition with food crops, massive research efforts are investigating next-generation cellulose biofuel crops such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). A low-input, sustainable switchgrass production could be achieved by reducing traditional management practices though applying plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), of which our understanding is still rather limited. To elucidate physiological mechanisms behind PGPR's beneficial effects, we inoculated switchgrass seedlings with Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN. Two experiments were conducted to determine the initial and long-term responses of switchgrass to PsJN inoculation by tracking growth and leaf physiology. In a third experiments, we tested the effects of PsJN on growth and leaf-level physiology of switchgrass under a moderate pre-drought conditioning and a successive severe drought stress. PsJN inoculation increased biomass and promoted elongation of shoots within 17 days following inoculation. The enhanced root growth in PsJN inoculated plants lagged behind the shoot response, resulting in greater allocation to aboveground growth (p=0.0041). Lower specific root length (p=0.0158) and higher specific leaf weight (p=0.0029) were also observed in PsJN inoculated seedlings, indicating advanced development. Photosynthetic rates (Ps) were higher in PsJN inoculated seedlings after 17 days (54%, p=0.0016), which were related to higher stomatal conductance, greater water use efficiency, and lower non-stomatal limitation of Ps. These rapid changes in leaf physiology are at least partially responsible for switchgrass growth enhancement from PsJN treatment. The early growth enhancement in PsJN inoculated switchgrass linearly decreased with plant age. PsJN inoculation increased Ps of upper canopy leaves by 13.6% but reduced Ps of lower canopy leaves by 8.2%. Accelerated leaf senescence and early flowering were observed in PsJN-inoculated switchgrass, which might contribute to slightly lower aboveground biomass at final harvesting. Drought preconditioning increased Ps of PsJN-inoculated switchgrass during a later severe drought; whereas, control switchgrass only benefited from drought preconditioning when leaf water potential dropped below -1 MPa. This study verified early growth enhancement and accelerated development of switchgrass due to PsJN inoculation. Rapid improvement in leaf physiology is related to enhanced productivity. PsJN inoculation also improve drought tolerance of switchgrass. / Ph. D.

O milho é uma das culturas de grande importância no cenário agrícola mundial devido sua importante participação no setor alimentício, bem como suas exigências hídricas no decorrer do seu ciclo. Sendo assim, tornam-se importantes os estudos quanto a utilização dos recursos hídricos, onde as estratégias de irrigação são de grande importância para a economia de água. O objetivo do presente estudo foi o de avaliar diferentes lâminas de irrigação (déficit e excesso) no decorrer do ciclo total e em fases fenológicas especificas da cultura do milho. Foram avaliadas as características de desenvolvimento, produção e estado hídrico da planta. Os experimentos foram realizados no Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas na Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\", ESALQ-USP, localizada em Piracicaba - SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com 12 tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos consistiam na reposição de 150, 100, 50 e 30% da água evapotranspirada (ETc), aplicadas em quatro subperíodos do ciclo total da cultura: subperíodo 1 (V4 a V8), subperíodo 2 (V8 a Vp), subperíodo 3 (Vp a R1) e subperíodo 4 (R1 a R6). Os dados de cada experimento foram submetidos a análise de variância individual e quando possível, análise de variância conjunta, utilizando os dados médios dos experimentos. O 1° plantio foi realizado em 18 de maio de 2012 e o 2° 21 de abril de 2013 em ambiente protegido, totalizando 137 e 144 dias de ciclo, com soma-térmica de 1413 e 1444°C graus dias acumulados (GDA), respectivamente. Avaliou-se a altura das plantas (ALT), altura de inserção da espiga (AIT.I), número de espigas por planta (N.E), peso da espiga com palha (PEP), peso da espiga despalhada (PED), número de grão por espiga (NG), número de fileiras de grão por espiga (NFG), tamanho da espiga (TE), diâmetro da espiga (DE) diâmetro do sabugo (DS), número de entrenós (NE) e produtividade (PG). Mediu-se a temperatura foliar (Tf), déficit de pressão e vapor (DPV) e potencial hídrico foliar(-&Psi;f). O potencial hídrico foliar mostrou ser o método eficaz quanto ao estado hídrico da planta, havendo diferenciação entre os quatro tratamentos estudados (IIII, EEEE, D50 e D70), demonstrando variação do seu valor ao longo do dia. Calculou-se o coeficiente de resposta da cultura ao déficit hídrico (KY), onde o período de pendoamento e floração foram os mais críticos quando a deficiência hídrica foi imposta em fases fenológicas especificas. A partir dos dados de produtividade e lâminas de água aplicadas nos dois experimentos, foi possível ajustar modelos polinomiais de 2° grau para a produtividade da água (PA) e função de produção da cultura. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a maior PA foi obtida no tratamento D50. / Deficit and water excess in maize (Zea mays L.) in greenhouse Maize is a culture with importance in global scenario due your function in food industry, as well as yours water requirements in the course of your cycle. Therefore, studies became important regarding the use of water resources where irrigation strategies are of great importance for water savings. This study aimed evaluate different irrigation levels (deficit and water excess) during a total maize cycle and at different specifics phenological stages of the culture. Development characteristics, production and hydric state of the plant were evaluated. The experiments were conducted at Department of Biosystems Engineering from \"Luiz de Queiroz\" College of Agriculture, located at Piracicaba, São Paulo State. The experimental design was a randomized block, with 12 treatments and 4 repetitions. Treatments consisted in replacement of 150, 100, 50 and 30% of water evapotranspired (ETc), applied in four subperiods of the total culture cycle: subperiod 1 (V4 to V8), subperiod 2 (V8 to Vp), subperiod 3 (Vp to R1) and subperiod 4 (R1 to R6). The experimental data were submitted to individual variance analysis, and when were possible, conjunct variance analysis, using the average data of the experiments. The first planting was carried out on 18 May of 2012 and the second, on April 21 of 2013, in greenhouse, totaling 137 and 144-day cycle, with sum-Thermal 1413 and 1444 °C accumulated degree days (ADD),respectively. Were evaluated the plant height (PH); ear height insertion (AIT.I); number of ears per plant (NE); ear weight with straw (PEP); weight of ear without straw (PED); number of grain per ear (NG); number of grain rows per ear (NFG); ear size (TE); ear diameter (dE); diameter of the cob (DS); number of between-nodes (NE) and productivity (PG). The leaf temperature was measured (Tm), also the vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and leaf water potential (Pl). Leaf water potential showed to be an efficient method regarding hydric state of the plant, there were difference between the four treatments studied (III, EEEE, D50 e D70), demonstrating variation of its value over the day. the response coefficient of the crop to water deficit (KY) were calculated, where the period of bolting and flowering were the most critical when water stress was imposed in specific phenological stages. From the productivity data and water levels applied in both experiments, was possible adjust second degree polynomials models to water productivity (WP) and culture production function. The results allowed conclude that a higher WP were obtained in the treatment D50.

O presente trabalho tem, por objetivo, avaliar um sistema de produção de gramíneas irrigadas sob a dinâmica de corte rotacionado, simulando um sistema de irrigação tipo pivô central, com diferentes capacidades de armazenamento de água no solo. O manejo da irrigação foi realizado com base em tensiômetros instalados em uma parcela de referência do sistema. Realizou-se o trabalho em casa de vegetação, no Departamento de Irrigação da ESALQ/USP. Foram estudadas quatro cultivares de gramíneas: Capim Tanzânia e Capim Tifton 85 e Grama Santo Agostinho e Grama Esmeralda, sob seis estratégias de manejo da irrigação: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, sendo M3 a parcela de referência (umidade na capacidade de campo). Cada cultivar esteve submetido a quatro níveis de capacidade de água disponível (CAD), que variava em função da profundidade do solo no interior da caixa: 40, 30, 20 e 10 cm, sendo denominadas de S40, S30, S20 e S10. O solo utilizado no experimento foi classificado como Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, textura franco arenosa. A adubação foi realizada para corrigir e manter o sistema. O experimento foi avaliado durante um período de 11 meses (de dezembro de 2006 a outubro de 2007), tendo a freqüência de corte, estabelecido em 30 dias, induzindo uma defasagem de corte de 5 dias entre os manejos estudados. A irrigação controlada pelo manejo M3 obteve consumo de água mínimo, quando o IAF era mínimo, ou seja, quando o bloco de controle era cortado, causava estresse hídrico nos outros blocos com índices de área foliar maior, tendo como hipótese inicial que estes apresentariam a maior produção. O potencial hídrico foliar foi medido antes do corte de cada manejo, sempre ao amanhecer, para garantir o equilíbrio hídrico solo-planta. Observou-se que a produção de matéria seca (MS)(kg.m-2) da parcela de controle M3 não foi diferenciada estatisticamente, contrariando a hipótese inicial do trabalho. A profundidade do solo não teve influência na altura média das gramíneas. O potencial hídrico foliar médio foi diferente para as quatro gramíneas, mas não se correlacionou significativamente (p>0,05) com a profundidade do solo. O capim Tifton 85 foi o que apresentou o maior potencial hídrico foliar. O capim Tifton 85, comparado ao Tanzânia, produziu de 7 a 27% a mais de proteína bruta (PB)(%) em relação à época de corte. A produção de MS(kg.m-2) foi maior para o capim Tanzânia, a única gramínea afetada pela profundidade de solo disponível. / The present work aims to evaluate a production system of irrigated grasses under rotary pasture system with center pivot irrigation simulation, considering four different total available water (TAW) in the soil profile, being the irrigation scheduling accomplished with tensiometers installed at a reference plot in the field. The work was carried out under greenhouse conditions at the Agricultural Department - Irrigation Sector at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Four varieties of grasses were studied: Tanzania, Tifton 85, Saint Agostinho and Esmerald, under six strategies of irrigation scheduling: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, being M3 the reference plot (soil moisture maintain at field capacity). Each grass variety was submitted to four levels of soil depth inside the box: 40, 30, 20 and 10 cm, being denominated S40, S30, S20 and S10 TAW treatments. The soil was classified as Red Yellow Latossolo (silt sandy texture). Traditional fertilizer doses were applied for initial correction and maintenance of the system. The experiment was evaluated during a period of 11 months (December 2006 to October of 2007). Cutting frequency was established at 30 days, with a 5 days delay between irrigation scheduling treatments (M1 to M6). The M3 irrigation plot presented the minimum consumption of water when the leaf area index (LAI) was minimum. Just after cutting the reference plot the following treatments (M4 - M6) with higher LAI were submited to water stress conditions. Considering the initial hypothesis, M3 treatment would present the highest production. The water leaf potential was measured before cutting always at predawn to assure the water equilibrium at soil-plant system. It was observed that the production of dry matter (DM) at the reference plot M3 was not statistical differentiated, contradicting the initial hypothesis of the experiment. The average water leaf potential was different among grasses analysed, being not correlated significantly (p>0,05) with the soil depth (irrigation management considered the soil depth of each plot). Tifton 85 grass presented the highest water leaf potential. Tifton 85 grass compared to Tanzania produced 7 to 27% higher level of gross protein (GP). Tanzania grass presented the highest dry matter production (DM) and was the only grass affected by soil depth (TAW).

Memoria para optar al Título Profesional de Ingeniero Forestal / Peumus boldus Mol. (Boldo), es una especie endémica y característica del bosque esclerófilo. Su potencial económico está relacionado con la comercialización de sus hojas. El problema asociado a este mercado tiene relación con la sostenibilidad del recurso en el tiempo. Considerando su potencial económico, se evaluaron las respuestas morfo-fisiológicas en rebrotes nuevos y vástagos remanentes, según intensidad de corta, en la Comuna de Olmué, Región de Valparaíso. Se establecieron tres parcelas de 0,2 hectáreas cada una, donde se midieron: número de vástagos por cepa, DAP de los vástagos por cepa y área basal a nivel de cepa. De las tres parcelas, una corresponde a una parcela control y las dos parcelas restantes fueron cosechadas parcialmente. Se seleccionaron 12 cepas control y 12 cepas intervenidas. Las variables hídricas medidas fueron: potencial hídrico de la hoja (a pre-alba (ΨA) y al mediodía (ΨMD)) y contenido hídrico relativo de la hoja (a pre-alba (CHRA) y al mediodía (CHRMD). Para la caracterización del crecimiento de rebrotes se midieron el DAC y altura, y para la evaluación del crecimiento de los vástagos remanentes se midió el DAP de todos los vástagos por cepa. Para estimar la biomasa de rebrotes, se construyeron modelos de regresión utilizando el peso seco de 20 rebrotes y las variables predictoras DAC y altura. Para estimar la biomasa de los vástagos remanentes, se emplearon funciones de biomasa determinadas por Durán (2005). Por último, se analizó la acumulación de biomasa aérea total de boldo en cepas control y cepas intervenidas para un período de evaluación de un año. Los resultados muestran que el bosque con presencia de boldo presentó una densidad promedio de 207 cepas/ha correspondientes a un Gha inicial de 5,06 m2/ha. Las cepas presentaban en promedio nueve vástagos que, en su mayoría eran menores a 5 cm de DAP. Luego de la cosecha, Gha se redujo a 4,45 m2/ha. El potencial hídrico a pre-alba (ΨA), mostró diferencias significativas entre el tratamiento control y el tratamiento intervención (vástagos y rebrotes). A su vez el potencial hídrico a mediodía (ΨMD) siguió la misma tendencia presentada en ΨA. Al comparar el potencial hídrico dentro de los tratamientos, se observaron diferencias significativas en los tres casos estudiados. Con respecto al contenido hídrico relativo (CHR), se observaron diferencias significativas para el tratamiento control y el de intervención de vástagos tanto en pre-alba como en mediodía. Dentro del tratamiento sólo se observaron diferencias significativas en el tratamiento de intervención de vástagos, en donde en la medición del mediodía se presenta un CHR menor al observado a pre-alba. En el crecimiento de rebrotes el DAC y la altura presentaron un promedio de 4,8 mm y 34,1 cm respectivamente. El diámetro a la altura del cuello (DAC) tuvo una variación entre 1,1 mm y 15,1 mm, mientras que la altura presente en los rebrotes tomó valores entre los 0,40 cm y los 168 cm. En el crecimiento de vástagos remanentes las cepas control presentaron un incremento en DAP de 0,1 cm mientras que las cepas intervenidas presentaron un incremento de 1,1 cm. Para estimar la biomasa aérea de rebrotes, se estableció el DAC como la mejor variable predictora y se obtuvo una producción de biomasa aérea total de rebrotes de 1,03 kg y por componente (hojas y tallo) de 0,187 kg y 0,523 kg respectivamente a nivel de individuo. Para la biomasa aérea de vástagos remanentes, el componente más representativo fue el fuste, seguido por la biomasa foliar. El crecimiento inicial de boldo mostró una baja recuperación de la biomasa total en cepas con cosecha parcial al final del primer año de crecimiento, por lo que la sostenibilidad de la producción de hoja de boldo no se encontraría asegurada. / Peumus boldus Mol. (Boldo), is an endemic species characteristic of the sclerophyllous forest. Its economic potential is related to the commercialization of its leaves. However, the problem associated with this market has to do with the sustainability of the resource over time. Considering its economic potential, the morpho-physiological responses in new shoots and remaining stems were evaluated, according to the intensity of cutting, in the Olmué Commune, Valparaíso Region. Three plots of 0,2 hectares each were established, where they were measured: number of stems per strain, DBH of stems per strain and basal area at strain level. Of the three plots, one corresponds to a control plot and the remaining two plots were partially harvested. Were selected 12 strains control and 12 partial harvest. The water variables measured were: leaf water potential (pre-dawn (ΨA) and noon (ΨMD)) and relative leaf relative water content (pre-dawn (RWCA) and noon (RWCMD). For the characterization of the growth of sprouts, the DRC and height were measured, and for the evaluation of the growth of the remaining shoots the DBH of all the shoots per strain was measured. To estimate the biomass of sprouts, regression models were constructed using the dry weight of 20 sprouts and the predictor variables DRC and height. To estimate the biomass of the remaining shoots, the biomass functions determined by Durán (2005) were used. Once the total aerial and component biomass was determined, the accumulation of total aerial biomass of boldo in control strains and strains intervened for an evaluation period of one year. The results showed that the forest with presence of boldo had an average density of 207 strains/ha corresponding to an initial basal area per hectare of 5,06 m2/ha. The strains showed on average nine stems, which were mostly smaller than 5 cm of DBH. After harvest, basal area per hectare was reduced to 4,45 m2/ha. The pre-dawn water potential (ΨA) showed significant differences between the control treatment and the intervention treatment (stems and sprouts). In turn the water potential at noon (ΨMD) followed the same trend presented in ΨA. When comparing the water potential within the treatments, significant differences were observed in the three cases studied. Regarding the relative water content (RWC), significant differences were observed for the control treatment and for the intervention of stems in both pre-dawn and noon. Within the treatment only significant differences were observed in the intervention treatment of stems, where in the noon measurement a lower RWC is present compared to pre-dawn. In the growth of sprouts the DRC and height presented an average of 4,8 mm and 34,1 cm respectively. The diameter at root collar height (DRC) had a variation between 1,1 mm and 15,1 mm, while the height present in the sprouts took values between 0,40 cm and 168 cm. In the growth of remnant stems the control strains had an increase in DBH of 0,1 cm while the intervened strains showed an increase of 1,1 cm. To estimate the aerial biomass of sprouts, DRC was established as the best predictor variable and a total aerial biomass production of 1,03 kg and per component (leaf and stem) of 0,187 kg and 0,523 kg respectively at the individual level. For the aerial biomass of remnant stems, the most representative component was the stem, followed by the leaf biomass. The initial growth of boldo showed a low recovery of the total biomass in strains with partial harvest at the end of the first year of growth, reason why the sustainability of the production of boldo leaf would not be assured.

<p>Biodiversity in forests depends on long canopy continuity and existence of different elements which function as substrates for varying organisms. Bryophytes often occupy specific substrates with a patchy distribution. The aim of this thesis was to increase the ecological knowledge about two threatened moss species; <i>Buxbaumia viridis</i>, inhabiting decaying wood, and <i>Neckera pennata</i>, inhabiting bark of base-rich deciduous trees. </p><p>Establishment from spores was investigated in <i>Buxbaumia viridis</i> and <i>Neckera pennata</i> and models were created to predict germination of spores as a function of pH and water potential. The effects of pH, phosphorus and nitrogen concentration were studied in <i>Buxbaumia viridis</i>, both on spore germination and on sporophyte occurrences in the field. Colony growth in relation to precipitation and microhabitat variables was studied in <i>Neckera pennata</i>, and a model was used to predict growth of colonies over time. Metapopulation dynamics of <i>Buxbaumia viridis</i> were analyzed as an effect of precipitation, habitat quality and patch quantity. A spatial explicit patch occupancy model was constructed to simulate metapopulation sizes and extinction risk over 100 years.</p><p>The quality of the substrate was very important for spore establishment. Germination success increased with increasing pH in both species. <i>Buxbaumia viridis</i> was less sensitive to low pH than <i>Neckera pennata</i> when water was freely available. However, there was a strong interaction between pH and water potential in prediction of the final cumulative germination: the spores reacted positively to one factor only when the other factor was in a favourable range.</p><p>Precipitation, moisture holding capacity and interference competition were the main factors affecting colony growth of <i>Neckera pennata</i>. <i>Buxbaumia viridis</i> showed large fluctuations in number of occupied patches among years. Both colonizations and extinctions were highly related to precipitation. Spore germination and sporophyte occurrences in the field were positively related to phosphorus concentration and pH of the substrate.</p>

Biodiversity in forests depends on long canopy continuity and existence of different elements which function as substrates for varying organisms. Bryophytes often occupy specific substrates with a patchy distribution. The aim of this thesis was to increase the ecological knowledge about two threatened moss species; Buxbaumia viridis, inhabiting decaying wood, and Neckera pennata, inhabiting bark of base-rich deciduous trees. Establishment from spores was investigated in Buxbaumia viridis and Neckera pennata and models were created to predict germination of spores as a function of pH and water potential. The effects of pH, phosphorus and nitrogen concentration were studied in Buxbaumia viridis, both on spore germination and on sporophyte occurrences in the field. Colony growth in relation to precipitation and microhabitat variables was studied in Neckera pennata, and a model was used to predict growth of colonies over time. Metapopulation dynamics of Buxbaumia viridis were analyzed as an effect of precipitation, habitat quality and patch quantity. A spatial explicit patch occupancy model was constructed to simulate metapopulation sizes and extinction risk over 100 years. The quality of the substrate was very important for spore establishment. Germination success increased with increasing pH in both species. Buxbaumia viridis was less sensitive to low pH than Neckera pennata when water was freely available. However, there was a strong interaction between pH and water potential in prediction of the final cumulative germination: the spores reacted positively to one factor only when the other factor was in a favourable range. Precipitation, moisture holding capacity and interference competition were the main factors affecting colony growth of Neckera pennata. Buxbaumia viridis showed large fluctuations in number of occupied patches among years. Both colonizations and extinctions were highly related to precipitation. Spore germination and sporophyte occurrences in the field were positively related to phosphorus concentration and pH of the substrate.