Theapplication of 28-homocatasterone brassinosteroid reduces blossom end rot in 'BRS Montese' tomatoes / A aplicação de brassinosteroide 28-homocatasterona reduz a podridão estilar em tomates 'BRS Montese'

We assessed the effect of 28-homocatasterone on xylem functionality and its relationship with blossom end rot (BER) occurrenceand the quality of 'BRS Montese' tomatoes. Tomato plants were cultivated in a protected environment, with a semi-hydroponic system. During full flowering, open flowers were selected, marked, and pollinated. After two days, the flowers received the application of 28-homocatasterone at a concentration of 10-6M or deionized water (control). Treatments were reapplied weekly up to 24 days after the first application (DAFA). At 24 DAFA, fruits were harvested and evaluated for fresh mass, texture (skin rupture and pulp penetration forces), skin color, xylem functionality, membrane permeability, apoplastic calcium concentration, and BER incidence. The application of 28-homocatasterone at 10-6M did not increase the fresh mass nor change the fruits' texture attributes. However, 28-homocatasterone increased or kept xylem functionality, which was assicated with increased apoplastic calcium concentration and reduced BERoccurrence in 'BRS Montese' tomatoes. Thus, the application of 10-6M catasterone could be an alternative for BER control in tomatoes.(AU)

Avaliamos o efeito da 28-homocatasterona na funcionalidade do xilema e sua relação com a ocorrência de podridão estilar (PE) e aqualidade de tomates 'BRS Montese'. Os tomateiros foram cultivados em ambiente protegido, com sistema semi-hidropônico. Durante a plena floração, as flores abertas foram selecionadas, marcadas e polinizadas. Após dois dias, as flores receberam a aplicaçãode 28-homocatasterona na concentração de 10-6M ou água deionizada (controle). Os tratamentos foram reaplicados semanalmente até 24 dias após a primeira aplicação (DAPF). Aos 24 DAPF, os frutos foram colhidos e avaliados quanto à massa fresca, textura (força de ruptura da epiderme e resistência a penetração da polpa), cor da casca, funcionalidade do xilema, permeabilidade da membrana, concentração de cálcio apoplástico e incidência de PE. A aplicação de 28-homocatasterona a 10-6M não aumentou a massa fresca nem alterou os atributos de textura dos frutos. No entanto, a 28-homocatasterona aumentou ou manteve a funcionalidade do xilema, o que foi associado ao aumento da concentração de cálcio apoplástico e redução da ocorrência de PEem tomates 'BRS Montese'.Assim, a aplicação de catasterona 10-6M pode ser uma alternativa para o controle de PEem tomates.(AU)

Defoliation intensity and leaf area index recovery in defoliated swards: implications for forage accumulation

This study evaluated the leaf area index (LAI) recovery mechanisms and forage accumulation rates on the regrowth of different grass species subjected to different defoliation intensities. For that purpose, plots of Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass), Lolium multiflorum (annual ryegrass), and Avena strigosa (black oats) were defoliated from 20 to 80 % of their initial heights (25, 20, and 25 cm, respectively). At different increments in height, forage samples were collected to ground level and used to estimate tiller population density (TPD), leaf area per tiller (LA), and forage mass. From these data, we calculated the leaf area index (LAI), average leaf area index (aLAI), and average and instantaneous forage accumulation rate (FAR and IFAR, respectively). Data were plotted over time (days) to describe LAI recovery and forage accumulation rates. As the defoliation intensity increased, greater canopy heights were needed for pastures to achieve their maximum forage accumulation rates, which required longer regrowth intervals. The need for high tiller recruitment after defoliation, which delayed canopy LAI recovery, seemed to be one of the main cause. Thus, grazing management strategies that involve costly tiller recruitment could decrease both overall forage production and sward persistence over time. However, the plant ability to recover LAI after successive intense defoliations seems to be species-dependent and related to their phenotypic plasticity.

Defoliation intensity and leaf area index recovery in defoliated swards: implications for forage accumulation

This study evaluated the leaf area index (LAI) recovery mechanisms and forage accumulation rates on the regrowth of different grass species subjected to different defoliation intensities. For that purpose, plots of Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyugrass), Lolium multiflorum (annual ryegrass), and Avena strigosa (black oats) were defoliated from 20 to 80 % of their initial heights (25, 20, and 25 cm, respectively). At different increments in height, forage samples were collected to ground level and used to estimate tiller population density (TPD), leaf area per tiller (LA), and forage mass. From these data, we calculated the leaf area index (LAI), average leaf area index (aLAI), and average and instantaneous forage accumulation rate (FAR and IFAR, respectively). Data were plotted over time (days) to describe LAI recovery and forage accumulation rates. As the defoliation intensity increased, greater canopy heights were needed for pastures to achieve their maximum forage accumulation rates, which required longer regrowth intervals. The need for high tiller recruitment after defoliation, which delayed canopy LAI recovery, seemed to be one of the main cause. Thus, grazing management strategies that involve costly tiller recruitment could decrease both overall forage production and sward persistence over time. However, the plant ability to recover LAI after successive intense defoliations seems to be species-dependent and related to their phenotypic plasticity.(AU)