RESUMO
Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous pest species capable of feeding on almost all forage and grain crops, although the food quality for the larvae likely varies among plant species and cultivars. The cultivation of grass forage species with grains has increasingly been adopted in Brazil, within both no-tillage and crop-livestock integration systems. In this study, we evaluated the performance of S. frugiperda larvae on 14 forage cultivars of Brachiaria, Panicum, and Cynodon, which are widely used in integrated cropping systems in Brazil. The biological performance of S. frugiperda varied among the cultivars. The larval survival rates were lower on Panicum maximum 'Massai' and P. maximum 'Tamani' cultivars. The insects had the highest performance indexes on Brachiaria brizantha 'Paiaguás', B. brizantha 'Marandu', and B. brizantha 'Xaraés' cultivars, followed by Brachiaria ruziziensis, previously proposed as a standard grass forage for comparisons with other species. On P. maximum, the insect had the lowest performance indexes, with values equal to zero when feeding on the P. maximum 'Massai' and 'Tamani' cultivars. These results will help make management decisions when cultivating grass forage plants in crop production systems in which S. frugiperda infestation is of concern.
RESUMO
ABSTRACT: Ten cassava cultivars were grown in the field and evaluated to identify the most adapted to the Coastal Tablelands of northeast Brazil. The cultivars showed differences in proline and chlorophyll contents, plant height, number of leaves and branches, canopy area and root production, however they did not differ on photosynthetic rates. Cultivars 'Tianguá' and '9783-13' presented lower root yield, whereas 'BRS Tapioqueira' and 'Irará' had the highest root yield. Few leaves coupled with the highest water use efficiency for CO2 assimilation was found in 'BRS Kiriris' in contrast to 'BRS Jarina' and '9783-13'. 'BRS Caipira' had high proline content in both Umbaúba and Frei Paulo areas, traits usually associated to drought tolerance, that contribute to the adaptation. It is also important to consider that cultivar 'BRS Caipira' was the first to present increase in chlorophyll content after extended period of drought, that indicates a faster recovery after dry season. Furthermore, the results indicated that the most adapted cultivars for cultivation in this area are 'Irará', 'BRS Tapioqueira', 'BRS Kiriris' and 'BRS Caipira'.
RESUMO: Dez cultivares de mandioca foram cultivadas no campo e avaliadas para identificar a mais adaptada aos Tabuleiros Costeiros do Nordeste do Brasil. As cultivares apresentaram diferenças nos teores de prolina e clorofila, altura, número de folhas e ramos, área de copa e produção de raízes, no entanto, não diferiram quanto às taxas fotossintéticas. As cultivares 'Tianguá' e '9783-13' apresentaram menor rendimento de raízes e 'BRS Tapioqueira' e 'Irará' maior rendimento. Poucas folhas e maior eficiência no uso da água para a assimilação de CO2 foi verificado em 'BRS Kiriris', em contraste com 'BRS Jarina' e '9783-13'. 'BRS Caipira' teve alto teor de prolina em Umbaúba e em Frei Paulo, características geralmente associadas à tolerância à seca, que contribuem para adaptação. Também é importante considerar que a cultivar 'BRS Caipira' foi a primeira a apresentar aumento no teor de clorofila após longo período de seca, o que indica recuperação mais rápida após período seco. Além disso, os resultados indicam que as cultivares mais adaptadas ao cultivo nessa área são 'Irará', 'BRS Tapioqueira', 'BRS Kiriris' e 'BRS Caipira'.
