Energy Cane x Sugarcane Microregion Interaction in the State of Pernambuco: Sugarcane for Production of Bioenergy and Renewable Fuels

Assessing the differential behavior of a group of genotypes in various environments is fundamentally important in any breeding program. As sugarcane is the most important crop in the state of Pernambuco, it is of great relevance to study its performance in different cultivation sites to assist in the recommendation of new cultivars that increase the productivity of the cane fields. In view of the new demand from the sugar-energy sector for cultivars with high energy potential, this work aimed to select and recommend new genotypes with high fiber and sucrose percentage in the sugarcane microregions of the state of Pernambuco. The methodologies used to classify genotypes for adaptability and stability were as follows: simple linear regression, the modified centroid method, additive main effects, multiplicative interaction analysis, and linear mixed models. Genotypes with higher productivity and specific adaptability to the tested microregions were identified. The methodologies applied were efficient and complementary in recommending genotypes with favorable prospects for increasing sugar productivity, cogeneration of electric energy and the production of renewable fuels. Genotypes 6, 7, 9, 14, 16, and 18 stand out in terms of the productivity of sugar and fiber, with high potential to be released as commercial cultivars.

PRODUCTIVITY OF COMB SHANDRA DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF SOWING

Проблема и цель. Целью настоящего исследования является изучение биометрических показателей и показателей семенной и нектарной продуктивности при разных сроках посева шандры гребенчатой (Elsholzia cristata) в условиях Центральной полосы России, а именно Рязанской области. Методология. Для достижения цели исследования и ответа на поставленные исследовательские вопросы по изучению Elsholzia cristata (шандры гребенчатой) был заложен опыт в октябре 2018 года на опытно-коллекционном участке ФГБНУ «ФНЦ Пчеловодства» методом систематических повторений в соответствии с методикой опытного дела в растениеводстве. Норма высева шандры гребенчатой – 6 млн шт., всхожих семян на гектар при широкорядном способе посева – 45 см. Почва серая лесная, тяжело суглинистая, содержание гумуса 4,26 %. Проведение полевых опытов сопровождалось соответствующими наблюдениями, учетами, измерениями и анализами согласно методике опытного дела. Площадь учетных делянок 10 м², повторность четырехкратная. Исследования по определению нектаропродуктивности проводили в лаборатории направления рационального использования медоносных ресурсов и природопользования. Статистическая обработка в опытах проводилась по методике Б.А. Доспехова. Результаты. Результаты настоящего исследования показали, что при уборке семян шандры гребенчатой рационально проводить скашивание растений в фазе восковой спелости с последующим дозреванием семян. При более поздней уборке растений наблюдался процесс осыпания. Вегетационный период культуры составил 115-136 дней. В среднем урожайность семян шандры составила 27,1-84 кг/га. Сахаропродуктивность варьировала в пределах от 11,93 до 50,40 кг/га. Заключение. В результате исследования было установлено, что максимальная урожайность семян получена при ранневесеннем посеве и составляет 84 кг/га, а наибольшая нектаропродуктивность получена при поздневесеннем посеве. Она составляет 50,4 кг/га. Ранневесенний срок посева является оптимальным. Шандра гребенчатая показала себя как ценный медонос второй половины лета, с длительным периодом цветения с начала августа до второй декады сентября Problem and goal. The purpose of this study is to study biometric indicators and indicators of seed and nectar productivity at diferent sowing dates of Shandra combata (Elsholzia cristata) in the conditions of the Central part of Russia, namely, the Ryazan region. Methodology. To achieve the goal of the study and answer the research questions on the study of Elsholzia cristata (Shandra combata) was laid in October 2018 on an experimental collection plot of GNU FNTS "Beekeeping" method of systematic repetition in accordance with the methodology of experimental work in crop production. The seeding rate of comb shandra is 6 million pieces. germinating seeds per hectare with a wide-row method of sowing – 45 cm. The soil is gray forest, heavily loamy, the humus content is 4.26 %. Conducting feld experiments was accompanied by appropriate observations, records, measurements and analyses according to the experimental case methodology. The area of the accounting plots is 10 m2, the repetition is fourfold. Studies on the determination of sugar productivity were carried out in the laboratory of the direction of rational use of honey-bearing resources and nature management. Statistical processing in the experiments was carried out according to the method of B. A. Dospekhov. Results. The results of the present study showed that when harvesting the seeds of Shandra combata, the plants were mowed in the phase of waxy ripeness, followed by maturation of the seeds. At a later harvest of plants, the process of shedding was observed. The growing season of the crop was 115-136 days. The average yield of shandra seeds was 27.1-84 kg / ha. Sugar productivity varied from 11.93 to 50.40 kg / ha. Conclusion. As a result of the study, it was found that the maximum seed yield was obtained with early spring sowing and is 84 kg / ha, and the highest nectar productivity was obtained with late spring sowing. It is 50.4 kg / ha. The early spring sowing period is optimal. Shandra crested proved to be a valuable honey plant in the second half of summer, with a long fowering period from the beginning of August to the second decade of September

Fruit Yield and Quality of ‘Valencia’ Orange Trees under Long-Term Partial Rootzone Drying

Climate, soil and tree water status, fruit yields and quality of ‘Valencia’ orange trees were monitored over five consecutive seasons (2007–2012) to study the effects of irrigation placement or volume. Three irrigation treatments were imposed: conventional irrigation (CI, 100% of crop evapotranspiration on both sides of the rootzone), partial rootzone drying (PRD, 50% of CI water only on one alternated side of the rootzone) and continuous deficit irrigation (DI, 50% of CI water on both sides of the rootzone). Yield parameters were generally not affected by PRD, and only yield per tree was lower in DI than CI trees. Fruit size and juice content were also reduced by DI, and not by PRD. Both PRD and DI increased juice soluble solids and acidity, vitamin C and carotenoid concentrations, as well as fruit, juice and sugar productivity per unit of irrigation water. Overall, the straight reduction of irrigation volumes by ~55% (DI) induced an average of 4.4% leaf dehydration, which caused significant fruit size reductions and a 3.4% reduction in juice yield, corresponding to a loss of about 2.6 tons of juice and 261 kg of sugars per hectare and year. On the other hand, water savings of about 2 mega liters per hectare and year with PRD caused a mild 2.3% leaf dehydration and mainly fruit quality improvements, indicating that PRD is a sustainable irrigation strategy for ‘Valencia’ orange.