Trends in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Trends in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (TAES) is a peer-reviewed and open access journal, with a continuous publication flow and maintained by Pantanal Editora. Humanity has faced serious challenges in the area of food security and also urgently needs to solve several environmental problems. These areas are closely related, mainly because agriculture has been seen as one of the reasons for environmental degradation. Therefore, scientific research has never been so necessary to find solutions to problems related to these areas. For these reasons, Trends in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - TAES seeks to bring together the most current scientific research related to these subjects, always looking for smart and sustainable solutions to publish them to the scientific community and also take them to all sectors of society. There is currently no publication fee for this journal. Our average publication time is three months. We are classified as B4 in Agricultural Sciences I in the Qualis/Capes triennium 2021-2024. Indexers and databases: Academia.edu Google Scholar Livre Latindex OpenAlex Crossref ROAD
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Initial growth of soybean plants with the application of a biopotentializer to low and high vigor seeds.Initial growth of soybean plants with the application of a biopotentializer to low and high vigor seeds.
The use of biopotential enhancers in seed treatment can improve germination rates and initial plant development under field conditions, especially when using low-vigor seeds. In this context, this study was conducted to evaluate the emergence and initial growth of soybean seedlings in response to the application of doses of the Crop Evo® biopotential enhancer to seeds with low and high vigor levels. The experimental design used was completely randomized, and the treatments were arranged in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments consisted of using two seed vigor levels (high and low) and applying five doses of biopotential enhancer (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mL kg–1 of seed) to the seeds. Fourteen days after sowing, the percentage of emergence, emergence speed index, mean emergence time, shoot length, and root dry matter production of the seedlings were evaluated. The results showed that the application of a biopotential enhancer (Crop Evo®) in seed treatment improved the emergence and emergence speed of soybean seedlings from low-vigor seeds. However, the application of the biopotential enhancer had no effect on the emergence process of soybean seedlings from high-vigor seeds. The application of the biopotential enhancer in seed treatment stimulated the growth and dry matter production of soybean seedlings, regardless of whether low- or high-vigor seeds were used. The optimal dose of biopotential enhancer to be applied in soybean seed treatment to stimulate initial seedling growth can vary from 10 to 15 mL kg–1 of seed.
Diógenes Martins Bardiviesso Bardiviesso
Copyright (c) 2026 Trends in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Efficiency of early soybean development in response to the application of a biopotentializer to high and low vigor seeds.
Seed treatment with biopotentiators can improve germination and initial plant growth, especially when using low vigor seeds. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of the Seed+® biopotentializer in the treatment of low and high vigor soybean seeds on the emergence and growth of seedlings. The treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments consisted of the use of low and high seeds and the application of five doses of biopotentiator (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 mL kg–1 of seed). At 14 days after sowing, the percentage of emergence, emergence speed index, average emergence time, length and dry matter of shoots and roots of seedlings were evaluated. The results showed that the application of biopotentializer in seed treatment enhanced the emergence rate, emergence speed and initial growth of soybean seedlings from low and high vigor seeds. High vigor soybean seeds have a higher emergence rate, higher emergence speed and greater potential for growth and dry matter accumulation when compared to low vigor seeds. The optimal dose of the biopotentializer (Seed+®) to be applied in the treatment of soybean seeds to stimulate the emergence and initial growth of seedlings can vary from 3 to 6 mL kg–1 of seed.
An analysis of the use and reuse of unsold products in a traditional street market in Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
Street markets play a central role in local economies, in the preservation of traditional knowledge, and in the promotion of food security, constituting important spaces of sociability and food supply, especially in small and medium-sized cities. Within this context, the street market of the Bairro Brasil, in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, stands out for the commercialization of fresh foods and the valorization of family farming. Given the relevance of this space and the need to deepen the debate on food loss and waste, this study aimed to analyze the origin of the foods marketed and the destination of products not sold at the end of weekend market days at the Bairro Brasil Municipal Market. Specifically, the study sought to identify the origin of these foods, the strategies adopted by vendors for handling unsold products, and the main items discarded. The research is qualitative and exploratory in nature. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, direct observation, and photographic records, involving 19 vendors during October and November 2025, on Sundays, the main market day. Participants had an average age of 51 years and an average of 25 years of experience, indicating a strong historical connection with the activity. The results show a predominance of vegetables, leafy greens, and fruits, with food origins varying between own production, suppliers, or both. The quantity of products taken to the market is mainly determined by stock availability or observed demand. Regarding the management of leftovers, donation emerged as the main strategy, followed by promotions and reuse, revealing informal practices that contribute to the reduction of food waste. It is concluded that the Bairro Brasil market maintains its economic, social, and cultural relevance, with significant potential for mitigating food losses, although it lacks specific public policies for the redistribution and use of surplus food.
Food security; Family farming; Food culture; Sustainability.
feira livre; orgânicos; Segurança Alimentar; Agricultura familiar; Cultura alimentar; Sustentabilidade
A baru seed quality index based on a fuzzy inference system
This study presents a fuzzy inference system (FIS) developed to evaluate the morphological quality of Dipteryx alata (baru) almonds based on four biometric variables: diameter, width, length, and weight. The membership functions were automatically calibrated using descriptive statistics of the dataset, whereas the inference rules were defined by experts. The resulting fuzzy quality index (FQI) effectively captured interannual biometric variability and allowed the identification of almonds with higher and lower morphological qualities at different harvests (2012 and 2023). The centroid-based defuzzification method provided stable and interpretable results, confirming the model’s robustness and suitability for physical quality assessment. The proposed system can serve as an initial morphological filter in sustainable production chains, enabling rapid, transparent, and nondestructive classification of baru almonds and supporting precision agriculture practices.
Copyright (c) 2025 Trends in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Influência de diferentes aplicações de superfosfato triplo na uniformidade da irrigação por gotejamento
A fertirrigação com fontes fosfatadas apresenta desafios operacionais relevantes, especialmente quanto à uniformidade de aplicação em sistemas de irrigação localizada. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de diferentes concentrações de superfosfato triplo na uniformidade de distribuição de nutrientes em um sistema de gotejamento, por meio dos coeficientes de uniformidade de Christiansen (CUC) e de distribuição (CUD). O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Federal do Paraná – Campus Jandaia do Sul, utilizando-se cinco tratamentos com concentrações decrescentes de fósforo (10,170; 3,392; 1,454; 0,727 e 0 g.L⁻¹). A análise estatística dos dados indicou ausência de diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para ambos os coeficientes. No entanto, observou-se tendência de queda nos valores de CUC e CUD com o aumento da concentração de fertilizante, sendo a maior uniformidade registrada no tratamento sem adição de fósforo. Estes resultados sugerem que o uso de superfosfato triplo pode comprometer a eficiência da fertirrigação em função do entupimento dos emissores. Conclui-se que a gestão da concentração de fertilizantes fosfatados é fundamental para manter a eficiência e a funcionalidade dos sistemas de irrigação localizada, sendo recomendada a utilização de fontes mais solúveis ou a adoção de doses fracionadas
Soybean productivity in response to foliar application of micronutrients
Foliar fertilization with micronutrients can improve the nutritional status of soybean plants and can enhance grain yield, especially when grown in the Cerrado region. This study aimed to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of using foliar fertilizers based on the micronutrients Cu, Zn, Mn, Mo and Co during the vegetative and reproductive stages as an alternative to enhance soybean yield in tropical Cerrado soil. The experimental design used was randomized blocks, in a 3 × 5 factorial scheme, with four replications. The treatments consisted of the cultivation of three soybean cultivars (ST 797 IPRO, BMX Bônus IPRO and BMX Única IPRO) and the application of four micronutrient-based foliar fertilizers [Maxi Zinc® (Zn), Nodulus Premium 125® (Mo, Co), NHT Complet® (Cu, Mn, Zn) and Broadacre Black® (Cu, Mn, Mo, Zn)] and the control treatment (no application). Based on the results, it was observed that the application of the foliar fertilizers NHT Complet® and Broadacre® Black were the best options, as they resulted in an increase in plant height, first pod insertion height, pod weight and grain yield for the soybean cultivars ST797 IPRO, BMX Bônus IPRO and BMX Única IPRO. The soybean cultivars ST 797 IPRO and BMX BÔNUS IPRO have greater grain production potential for the Cerrado region in years with drought during the reproductive stage.
A dataset of 15 maize hybrids subjected to drought, salinity, and aluminum toxicity stresses
Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's main cereal crops, being widely used for human consumption, animal feed formulation, and in the production of biofuels, starch and petroleum industries. However, abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and aluminum toxicity have often limited crop development and yield. These stresses can also alter soil conditions, which can negatively impact the germination process and early growth of maize plants. These adverse environmental conditions affect the development of maize at various stages of plant growth; however, the initial seedling stage is one of the most vulnerable and critical growth stages in the plant's life cycle. Therefore, the search for corn genotypes tolerant to abiotic stresses is a strategy to ensure food security and the sustainability of agricultural production in tropical soils. This study presents a dataset of 15 maize hybrids, with a focus on their morphological responses under drought, salinity, and aluminum toxicity conditions. The dataset includes comprehensive measurements such as emergence rate (E), plant height (PH), length of the longest root (LR), total plant length (TPL), total root system length (TRL), root volume (RV), leaf area (LA), shoot dry matter (SDM), root dry matter (RDM), total plant dry matter (TDM), and root to shoot ratio (RS) under non-stressful (control) and stressful (drought, salinity and aluminum toxicity) conditions. The analysis of the data from this research allows for a better understanding of the genetic and phenotypic responses of corn plants associated with tolerance to abiotic stresses. This dataset provides a basis for further exploration of abiotic stress tolerance mechanisms in maize and opens new avenues for improving agricultural sustainability. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of tolerance in these hybrids will provide valuable insights for developing breeding strategies aimed at improving maize adaptation to challenging environments.
Foliar application of micronutrients and potassium in soybean crop
Foliar fertilization can improve plant nutrition and yield of soybean crops, especially in low-fertility sandy soils. This study investigated the agronomic efficiency of using micronutrient-based foliar fertilizers during the vegetative stage combined with potassium foliar fertilization during the reproductive stage on production components and grain yield of soybean crops in sandy soils of the Cerrado. The treatments consisted of the application of five micronutrient-based foliar fertilizers during the V4 vegetative stage [Big Red® (Cu), Maxi Zinc® (Zn), Supa Moly® (Mo), Boster® (Zn, Mo) and CMZ Infinity® (Cu, Mo, Zn)] in association or not with the application of the K-based foliar fertilizer Yantra® during the R3 reproductive stage. An additional treatment without foliar fertilizer application was used as a control. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 5 × 2 + 1 factorial scheme with four replications. The results showed that the application of foliar fertilizers containing Zn and Mo (Boster®) and Cu, Zn and Mo (CMZ Infinity®) are the best alternatives for use in soybean crops, as they result in greater plant height, height of first pod insertion, number of pods, total pod weight and higher grain yield, regardless of the association with K-based foliar fertilizer in the reproductive stage. The application of foliar fertilizers based on micronutrients and K had no impact on the thousand-grain mass of the soybean crop. The foliar application of K at the reproductive stage resulted in higher soybean grain yield when associated with the application of Zn (Maxi Zinc®) and Mo (Supa Moly®) at the vegetative stage.
Diversity of Morphological Descriptors of Angico Branco (Anadenanthera colubrina) Seeds
Angico Branco (Anadenanthera colubrina) is a species of the Fabaceae family widely distributed across the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest biomes, naturally occurring in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and South regions of Brazil. It is used in environmental recovery programs due to being a native species well-adapted to diverse climatic conditions. The species can be propagated by seeds, which highlights the importance of understanding the phenological stages of this tree species, as seed collection is fundamental for its propagation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality and homogeneity of Angico Branco seeds based on their morphological characteristics. The experiment was conducted at the Plant Ecophysiology Laboratory of the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul – UEMS, using a completely randomized design (CRD). The Angico Branco pods were collected in the rural area of Sud Mennucci - SP. Collections took place between August and October, selecting mature pods for subsequent analysis. The variables analyzed included seed diameter, seed thickness, number of seeds per pod, seed weight, and total seed weight. The seeds were removed and divided into three samples or groups (G1, G2, and G3). No statistical differences were observed for any of the variables evaluated, indicating that this species shows little variation in seed-associated attributes. These results underscore the importance of considering morphological seed descriptors as a relevant parameter for genetic diversity studies of forest species described in the Brazilian Cerrado.
Brazilian Cerrado; seed descriptors; forest species
Avaliação da qualidade de sementes de Amendoim-bravo (Pterogyne nitens Tul.)
O amendoim-bravo (Pterogyne nitens Tul.), é uma espécie arbórea que pertencente à família das Fabaceae, muito distribuída nas regiões tropicais da América do Sul, principalmente no Brasil, Bolívia, Paraguai e Argentina. Essa espécie se destaca devido a sua importância ecológica e econômica, visto que possui alto potencial de uso para recuperação de áreas degradadas e na silvicultura. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade e homogeneidade das sementes coletadas de amendoim-bravo. O experimento foi realizado no laboratório da Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul – UEMS, com delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado. Avaliaram-se as variáveis peso das sementes, diâmetro das sementes, comprimento das sementes e comprimento da asa. Foram utilizadas 114 sementes de amendoim-bravo, as quais foram coletadas de árvores localizadas na cidade de Sud Mennuci, SP. Essas sementes foram divididas em três grupos, cada um com 38 sementes. Cada grupo foi avaliado separadamente. Quando os grupos de sementes foram avaliados verificou-se que apenas para o diâmetro das sementes manifestou diferenças significativas. Este resultado sugere que está característica pode ser sensível a diferentes condições de manejo. Dentro dos três grupos avaliados o grupo 2 mostrou-se com maior diâmetro (2.01 g), evidenciando que existe variabilidade genética para esta característica nesta espécie de planta. Por outro lado, o restante das variáveis apresenta maior estabilidade frente às condições naturais onde se desenvolvem estas plantas. Esses resultados destacam a importância de se considerar descritores morfológicos de sementes como parâmetro relevante para estudos de diversidade genéticas de espécies florestais descritas no Cerrado Brasileiro.
Copyright (c) 2024 Trends in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Straw production from cover crops and the sustainability of no-tillage farming systems can be compromised by low rainfall during the dry off-season in Central Brazil. This study investigated the drought resilience of five cover crop species under drought stress conditions. Three irrigation levels [100% pot capacity – CV (well-watered conditions), 60% CV (moderate drought stress) and 25% CV (severe drought stress)] and five grass cover crop species [Urochloa brizantha cv. BRS Piatã, U. brizantha cv. Marandu, U. brizantha cv. Xaraés, U. ruziziensis cv. Comum and Pennisetum glaucum cv. ADR 300] were tested using a randomized block design with a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement and three replications. Canonical variable analysis (CVA) and a correlation network were established with the variables evaluated. The CVA showed that 88.6% of the total variation of the data was retained in the first two canonical variables. The plants were exposed to water stress for 25 days during the tillering and stem elongation phases. Plants of the genus Urochloa (U. ruziziensis, U. brizantha cv. Marandu, and U. brizantha cv. Xaraés) showed higher total dry matter production under normal irrigation conditions. However, under moderate water stress conditions, U. ruziziensis was the cover crop with greater resilience, since these conditions culminated in higher dry matter production.
Leandris Argentel-Martínez Argentel-Martínez
Dataset: Eleven commercial wheat cultivars for water and saline stress studies
Wheat is a vital crop for global food security, but its productivity is increasingly threatened by water and salinity stress, exacerbated by climate change. These environmental challenges affect wheat growth at multiple stages, leading to reduced germination, stunted development, and lower yields. Given that over 20% of cultivated land worldwide is affected by salinity, there is an urgent need to develop saline stress-tolerant wheat cultivars. This study presents a dataset of 11 commercial wheat cultivars, with a focus on their responses to water and salinity stress. The dataset includes comprehensive measurements such as germination rate, shoot and root length, and biomass under control, water, and saline conditions. By analyzing these data, researchers can better understand the genetic and phenotypic traits associated with drought and salinity tolerance. This research offers valuable insights into breeding strategies aimed at enhancing stress resistance, contributing to the development of wheat varieties capable of withstand harsh environmental conditions and ensuring global food security. This dataset provides a foundation for further exploration into the mechanisms of stress tolerance in wheat and opens new avenues for improving agricultural sustainability.
El papel crucial del contenido de carbohidratos y proteínas en la raíz de Parkinsonia aculeata frente a salinidad y sequia en el semidesierto de Sonora, México
El cambio climático está alterando los patrones de precipitación y temperatura, afectando a los ecosistemas y cultivos, por lo que es vital estudiar a adaptación al estrés abiótico, especialmente en zonas áridas. Parkinsonia aculeata es una especie del semi-desierto de Sonora. Evaluar su respuesta frente al estrés por salinidad y sequía; determinando el impacto de estas condiciones en el contenido de carbohidratos y proteínas totales en las raíces utilizando métodos estándar es el objetivo del presente trabajo. Al evaluar las raíces el contenido de carbohidratos fue mayor en el sitio con salinidad (3.803 mg g-1 ms) comparado con el sitio con sequía (3.696 mg g-1 ms). En contraste, el contenido de proteínas fue mayor en el sitio afectado por sequía (5.632 mg g-1 ms) en relación a la afectación por salinidad (2.132 mg g-1 ms). Estas diferencias indican que las raíces de P. aculeata responden de manera distinta a la salinidad y a la sequía, adaptándose a las condiciones abióticas específicas, por lo que potencialmente pueden ser utilizados como indicadores clave de la adaptación de la planta al estrés abiótico, proporcionando información valiosa para la ecología y conservación de ecosistemas áridos en el contexto del cambio climático.
Temporal variability in soybean sowing and harvesting according to K-means and silhouette scores
Understanding the impact of seasonal variations on soybean productivity is crucial for optimizing agricultural practices. Given the influence of climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall on crop phenology, this study aims to analyze the effects of sowing and harvesting soybean cultivars in different seasons. This research investigates whether sowing soybeans in November and December leads to varying outcomes in terms of productivity and morphological characteristics, focusing on identifying the most stable cultivars across different climatic conditions. The study employed a comprehensive methodology, including data standardization, statistical tests (Levene, Shapiro-Wilk, ANOVA, Wilcoxon), and K-means clustering, to analyze 40 soybean cultivars across two seasons. Statistical preprocessing ensured data accuracy, while clustering helped identify cultivars with consistent responses to climatic changes. All computational analyses were performed using Python in the Google Colab environment. The findings revealed no significant difference in productivity between the two seasons, despite variations in temperature and rainfall. However, the moisture content of the grains (MTG) showed significant differences, influenced by higher rainfall in March and April and increased temperatures in December. K-means clustering highlighted SYN2282IPRO as the most stable cultivar and 77HO111I2X-GUAPORÉ as the most sensitive to climatic changes. The results emphasize the need for careful cultivar selection based on specific adaptability to seasonal variations. This study underscores the potential of computational tools like K-means clustering in agricultural optimization, offering a data-driven approach to selecting stable soybean cultivars. The adaptable methodology can be tailored to different geographical regions, soil types, and climate conditions, enhancing its relevance and applicability. These insights contribute to a better understanding of the complex interactions between climatic variables and soybean phenology, providing a foundation for improving agricultural practices in the face of climate change.
Uso de organominerais na severidade de mancha alvo e ferrugem asiática em soja
A soja (Glycine max L. Merrill) apresenta grande destaque na produção brasileira de grãos, desempenhando importante papel socioeconômico no país. Entretanto, tem sua produtividade afetada por diversas doenças, sendo a mancha-alvo e ferrugem asiática entre as principais. Objetivou-se avaliar o uso organominerais sobre a severidade das doenças. O experimento foi conduzido a campo no município de Balsas (MA). Foram utilizadas duas cultivares de soja (BRASMAX Bônus IPRO e BRASMAX Olimpo IPRO). Adotou-se o delineamento em blocos ao acaso, dispostos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, na subparcela foram os três fertilizantes fosfatado [sendo dois organominerais, e um fertilizante fosfatado (superfosfato simples)]. E, na subsubparcela as doses de 0 (controle), 50 e 100 kg de P2O5por ha-1contendo sete tratamentos. As avaliações da severidade das doenças, foi aos 7 dias após a primeira, segunda e terceira aplicação e 7, 14 e 21 após a quarta. Ao estádio R6, ocorreu a avaliação de desfolha e ao fim do ciclo a colheita foi realizada para determinar a produtividade. As variáveis analisadas nas cultivares de soja não foram influenciadas pelas doses de organominerais. Contudo a cultivar BMX Bônus, ao receber o tratamento, 100 kg de P2O5por ha-1de ORG1 apresentou valores de PMG superiores ao demais tratamentos. Solos com elevados teores de fósforo, a ausência de adubação tratamento controle, ou o uso da adubação com os organominerais, promoveram maiores produtividade na cultivar BMX Bônus, em que o tratamento, com as doses 50 kg de P2O5por h-1de ORG1, culminou em maior produtividade.
Sowing times of soybean cultivars in the southern region of Maranhão
The sowing time and identification of soybean cultivars with the greatest productive potential in each growing region are crucial factors for maximizing the yield and profitability of crops. This study evaluated the effect of sowing time on the agronomic performance of 40 soybean cultivars and identified the best soybean cultivars to be recommended at each sowing time for the southern region of Maranhão. The field experiment consisted of two sowing times [soybean sown on November 10th, 2023 (1st sowing time) and December 2nd, 2023 (2nd sowing time)] and 40 soybean cultivars arranged in a split-plot experimental design with three replications. The results showed that sowing time and soybean cultivar differed in terms of grain yield potential. Compared with those sown in the first half of November, soybean cultivars sown at the beginning of December exhibit greater agronomic performance. The soybean cultivars BMX Olimpo IPRO, Latitude ADAPTA IPRO, 98R30 CE, BMX Fortaleza IPRO and M 8330 i2X have greater grain production potential when sown in the first half of November. The soybean cultivars SOY AMPLA IPRO, HO Coxim IPRO, DM 74K75 CE, FT® 3868 IPRO, DM 79I81 IPRO and M 8606 i2X have greater grain production potential when sown at the beginning of December.
Gestión de la Calidad ISO 9001:2015, herramienta para el diagnóstico de la gestión comercial en la Empresa de Acopio Santiago de Cuba
La implementación de la Norma ISO 9000:2015 puede generar una mayor eficiencia, un estímulo anímicamente a los empleados y hasta dotar a una empresa de reconocimientos internacionales. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha, no se logran estándares competitivos en el mercado nacional e internacional, de productos con alto valor agregado, comercializados a través de la Empresa Acopio Santiago de Cuba como parte de la implementación de la norma ISO 9001:2015. Por tal razón, el siguiente estudio tuvo como objetivo realizar un diagnóstico a partir de la norma ISO 9001:2015 implementada en la Empresa de Acopio Santiago de Cuba y su posible repercusión en los estándares de comercialización de productos. Se aplicaron encuestas para determinar el nivel de satisfacción de los clientes internos y externos. Se utilizó como herramienta de diagnóstico la Lista de verificación realizada en el programa computarizado Excel donde están relacionados todos los requisitos obligatorios de la norma ISO 9001:2015 desde Capítulo IV al X. El diagnóstico en la Empresa Acopio Santiago de Cuba permitió conocer su estado actual con respecto al cumplimiento de los requisitos de la norma ISO 9001:2015. El cumplimiento promedio de todos los Capítulos de la norma tuvo un resultado del 84%, el cual es un rango positivo. Se propusieron acciones encaminadas a la eliminación de las insuficiencias, entre las que destaca la implantación del requisito Mejora Continua y acciones orientadas a involucrar y comprometer a los trabajadores con la actualización del Sistema de Gestión de Calidad. Se concluye que la total implementación de la norma ISO 9001:2015 con énfasis en los componentes de los Capítulos VI – X en la Empresa de Acopio de Santiago de Cuba, permitirá incrementar los estándares de calidad en el proceso de comercialización y con ello elevar la satisfacción de los clientes internos y externos.
Automatic and Semi-automatic Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)
The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is the most commonly used method for solving multi-criteria decision-making problems worldwide. Although AHP offers many advantages for problems with several alternatives and criteria, the pairwise comparisons require considerable effort. State-of-the-art methodologies have demonstrated that AHP is suitable for automating decisions on tabular data. Considering it, this paper proposes a new approach to decision-making in both automated and semi-automated ways. For the automated approach, formulas are proposed for the normalization and computation of criteria weights. For the semi-automated approach, functions are proposed to convert normalized tabular data into values on the Saaty scale. These values are then used to automatically construct pairwise comparison matrices. This approach allows decision-makers to generate such matrices when necessary, thereby minimizing or even eliminating the effort required for pairwise comparisons. Simulations demonstrate the differences obtained depending on the use of the conversion function. Comparisons with state-of-the-art methods reveal that the proposed approach is compatible with existing methodologies. The viability of the proposed methodology is also explored through problems of selecting genotypes/varieties of agricultural crops, showing its viability in real problems. The obtained results show that the proposed approach produces results similar to other decision-making methods.
Crescimento inicial do milho em resposta a aplicação de enraizadores
O uso de enraizadores pode melhorar o crescimento e desenvolvimento das plantas de milho. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a eficiência agronômica da aplicação de diferentes enraizadores no tratamento das sementes sobre a emergência e o crescimento inicial das plantas de milho. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizados com quatro repetições de 50 sementes. Os tratamentos foram constituídos da aplicação de sete produtos enraizadores no tratamento das sementes de milho [Booster® (Agrichem), Broadacre CMZ® (Agrichem), Raiz® (Aminoagro), Seed+® (FMC), Nobrico Star® (Nortox), Stimulate® (Stoller) e Improver® (Produquimica)]. Um tratamento adicional sem utilização de enraizador foi utilizado como controle. Aos 20 dias após semeadura, foram avaliados a emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, comprimento e matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes das plântulas. Os resultados evidenciaram que o uso de enraizadores melhorou a velocidade de emergência das plântulas de milho. No entanto, não teve impacto sobre a capacidade de emergência das plântulas. O crescimento da parte aérea e das raízes das plântulas de milho foi estimulado pelo uso de enraizadores, especialmente pela utilização de Raiz® (Aminoagro), Seed+® (FMC), Nobrico Star® TS (Nortox) e Stimulate® (Stoller).
Dataset: Cowpea Cultivars with Residual Organomineral Fertilizers from Crop Corn Cultivation
Cowpea is a critical dietary staple, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, due to its high protein content, essential amino acids, and other nutrients. This study aimed to assess the impact of residual organomineral fertilizers from a preceding corn crop on cowpea cultivars in southern Maranhão, Brazil. Two cowpea cultivars, BRS Tucumaque and BRS Nova Era, were evaluated using a randomized block design with three replications. This study incorporated two organomineral fertilizers derived from cattle manure and natural phosphates a simple superphosphate at a dose of 50 kg ha-1, and a control without phosphorus fertilization. The key agronomic traits measured included the number of nodes, pod per plant, grains per pod, thousand-grain weight, and yield per hectare. This research underscores the potential of organomineral fertilizers to enhance cowpea yield while minimizing environmental impact, offering a viable alternative to conventional fertilization methods. These findings advocate broader adoption of organomineral fertilizers in cowpea cultivation, potentially increasing yield and reducing costs. The database derived from this research is composed of 48 samples. Four types of fertilization were considered: control, simple superphosphate and two organomineral fertilizers; two planting systems with and without U. ruziensis straw; and two cultivars.
Desempenho agronômico da soja em resposta ao tratamento da semente com bioestimulantes
O uso de bioestimulantes pode melhorar o desempenho produtivo da cultura da soja. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar a eficiência agronômica do uso de diferentes bioestimulantes no tratamento das sementes sobre o desenvolvimento das plantas e a produtividade de grãos da cultura da soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill., cv. BMX Desafio RR] cultivada em um solo arenoso do Cerrado Sul-Mato-Grossense durante a safra 2019-2020. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pela aplicação de diferentes produtos bioestimulantes no tratamento das sementes de soja [Booster® (Agrichem), Broadacre CMZ® (Agrichem), Raiz® (Aminoagro), CoMoFos® (Nortox), Nobrico Star® (Nortox), Stimulate® (Stoller), Co-Mo Platinum® (Stoller), NiCoMo Dry® (Produquimica) e Improver® (Produquimica)]. Um tratamento adicional sem aplicação de bioestimulante foi utilizado como controle. Foram avaliados o índice de velocidade de emergência (IVE), comprimento e produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes, massa de mil grãos e produtividade de grãos. Os resultados evidenciaram que o uso de bioestimulante tem potencial para melhorar a velocidade de emergência e o desenvolvimento das plantas de soja. No entanto, este efeito benéfico é dependente do tipo de bioestimulante. O tratamento das sementes de soja com bioestimulantes proporciona aumento na produtividade de grãos da cultura, especialmente com o uso de Booster®, Raiz®, CoMoFos®, Nobrico Star® TS, Stimulate®, Co-Mo Platinum® e Improver®.
Seed treatment with Stimulate® improves the initial development of peanut plants
Seed treatment with biostimulants may be an option to improve the emergence and initial growth of peanut plants. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using doses of Stimulate® in seed treatment on the initial growth of plants of two peanut cultivars grown in a sandy Cerrado soil. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme: two peanut cultivars [IAC Tatu ST (upright growth habit) and Runner IAC 886 (prostrate growth habit)] and four doses of Stimulate® (0; 10; 20; and 30 mL kg-1 of seeds) applied to seed treatment, with three replications. At 21 days after sowing, plant height (PH), main stem diameter (SD), number of lateral branches (NLB), and main root length (RL) were evaluated. Our results showed that peanut cultivars with different growth habits (erect and prostrate) have different responses to the application of Stimulate® doses on plant development, with the IAC Tatu ST cultivar being more responsive to the application of biostimulant. The application of 25 to 30 mL kg–1 of Stimulate® via seed treatment improved initial development of peanut plants grown in sandy soil of the Cerrado Sul-Mato-Grossense under controlled greenhouse conditions.
A qualitative Decision Tree model for Common Beans and Cowpea classification
Common beans and cowpea are two grains that form part of the preferred diet in several countries, mainly due to their nutritional value. Knowledge of their diversity is important for plant breeding and determines the conservation and use strategy. Previous analyzes show that there is variability for a set of qualitative and quantitative descriptors for this species. The objective of these work was to use data from qualitative descriptors to generate a decision tree model that makes it possible to classify common bean and cowpea genotypes. 17 bean genotypes were used, 12 of which were common beans and 5 were cowpeas. Eight qualitative descriptors were used to characterize the bean genotypes. Machine learning techniques were used to generate decision tree models for classifying bean genotypes. Using the accuracy, precision and F1-score metrics in the cross-validation approach, we select the best decision tree model. This model was adapted into a flowchart for use in various purposes, aiming to classify beans based on qualitative descriptors.
Bacillus aryabhattai dose recommendation for corn seed inoculation
The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can be a sustainable alternative to improve the uniformity and speed of emergence and initial growth of plants. However, the effects of Bacillus aryabhattai inoculation are still incipient and inconclusive, and there is no recommendation for the use of inoculant doses containing B. aryabhattai. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of B. aryabhattai inoculation in improving the germination and initial growth of corn plants (Zea mays L.), and to determine the optimal inoculant dose to be recommended for inoculation of corn seeds. Corn seeds were inoculated with 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40-mL kg–1 of the inoculant containing the strain CMAA 1363 of Bacillus aryabhattai. Four replicates of 50 seeds were sown in plastic boxes containing washed coarse sand. At 18 days after sowing, the emergence rate (E), shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot dry matter (SDM) and root dry matter (RDM) was recorded. The results showed that the use of inoculant containing B. aryabhattai improved the initial growth and dry matter production of corn plants. This suggests that B. aryabhattai could be an excellent option for producing microbiological inoculants with enormous potential for use in Brazilian and global agriculture. The optimal dose of inoculant containing B. aryabhattai to be applied to corn seeds can range between 20 and 22-mL kg–1 of inoculant.
Impact of applying the biostimulant Seed+ on initial growth of peanut cultivars
The use of biostimulants in agriculture has been shown to be suitable for stimulating the initial development of several crops; however, reports on its impact on peanut cultivation are scarce. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of application doses of the biostimulant Seed+ on the initial development of two peanut cultivars under controlled greenhouse conditions. The experiment followed a randomized block design in a 2 × 4 factorial scheme: two peanut cultivars [IAC Tatu ST (upright growth habit) and Runner IAC 886 (prostrate growth habit)] and four doses of the biostimulant Seed+ (0, 3, 6 and 9 mL kg–1 of seeds) applied in the seed treatment, with three replications. At 21 days after sowing, plant height (PH), main stem diameter (SD), number of lateral branches (NLB), and main root length (RL) were measured. Our results showed that the use of two improved contrasting cultivars with an erect and prostrate growth habit showed that peanut cultivars have different responses to the doses of biostimulant applied, with crop development, especially for the IAC Tatu ST cultivar. The application of 9 mL kg-1 of the biostimulant Seed+ in seed treatment can be an efficient alternative to stimulate the initial development of peanut cultivars grown in sandy soil of the Cerrado Sul-Mato-Grossense under controlled greenhouse conditions. However, these beneficial effects must be confirmed in experimental trials under field conditions
Pore Segmentation in Industrial Radiographic Images Using Adaptive Thresholding and Morphological Analysis
This study presents an innovative approach to segmenting pores in low-quality industrial radiographic images using advanced image processing and adaptive segmentation techniques. The process involves several steps, including conversion of the image to grayscale to simplify analysis. Gaussian and median filters are then applied to improve image quality and enable more accurate segmentation. The methodology is based on adaptive thresholding and edge detection using the Canny algorithm, achieving accurate pore area measurements, even for those unnoticed by experts, with measurement errors of less than 0.1 mm². This high accuracy supports the method's effectiveness in pore detection and measurement. The resulting tool has great potential in industrial radiography applications, from quality control to defect analysis. While recognizing the need for continued research to improve contrast and illumination, as well as to address potential sources of error, these refinements promise to further elevate an already reliable and accurate method with a wide reach in the industry.
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Classification of Tropical Forage Grass Varieties Under Moderate and Severe Water Stress using Naïve Bayes and Kernel Density Estimation
The selection of forage grasses that are more adapted to adverse conditions, such as water scarcity or dry rain periods, is extremely important. Mainly due to the severe climate changes, and the search for more sustainable ways of farming. Forage grasses form the basis of the diet of beef cattle and are also used as a source of biofuels, for erosion control and soil improvement. This work presents a machine learning methodology to obtain classification models for nine forage cultivars, subject to moderate and severe water stress. The Naïve Bayes algorithm is used together with the Kernel Density Estimation method to obtain the densities used in the classification models. Before learning the models, the grouped cross-validation technique and also the grid search are used to search for the best set of hyperparameters. The best accuracy and precision results are 0.88 and 0.90, respectively. It is observed that the classification performance depends on the cultivars used in the training and test sets. At the end, the estimated probability densities are also analyzed by comparing them with some statistics obtained for each variable and water stress or control environments.
Dataset: Forty soybean cultivars from subsequent harvests
Soybean cultivation is one of the most important because it is used in several segments of the food industry. The evaluation of soybean cultivars subject to different planting and harvesting characteristics is an ongoing field of research. In this paper, we present a dataset obtained from forty soybean cultivars planted in subsequent seasons. The experiment used randomized blocks, arranged in a split-plot scheme, with four replications. The following variables were collected: plant height, insertion of the first pod, number of stems, number of legumes per plant, number of grains per pod, thousand seed weight, and grain yield, resulting in 320 data samples. The dataset presented can be used by researchers from different fields of activity.
Physiological and agronomic response of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cv. Labrador to the application of biostimulants
The work was carried out in the Basic State Unit of “La Pupa” cultivation houses, in the province of Granma, Cuba, on a Fluvisol soil in the period September-December 2021. The objective was to evaluate the effect of three bioproducts on the crop. of the Labrador variety pepper. Four treatments were formed, each with 112 plants and four repetitions, in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatment 1: Application of Pyroligneous Acid, Treatment 2: Application of Quitomax®; Treatment 3: Application of Pectimorf®, 4.-Control treatment. The physiological variables fluorescence of origin (Fo), maximum fluorescence (Fm), the ratio of variable fluorescence and maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and the time to reach the maximum fluorescence intensity were evaluated: in addition to the reproductive variables: number of flowers , number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit width, fruit mass and the yield was also calculated. An analysis of variance and comparison of means was applied to the data collected using the Tukey test at a 5% probability of error. The best result was obtained when applying Pyroligneous Acid, followed by Quitomax® and Pectimorf® with averages of 9.47, 9.1 and 8.57 kg m-2, respectively.
Genetic and phenotypic diversity of a population of moringa seedlings based on morphological descriptors
Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam. - Moringaceae) is a plant originating in India, which has been widely cultivated in different regions of the world, especially due to the nutritional properties of its leaves, which are of high economic, medicinal and industrial interest. However, there are no reports on the genotypic and phenotypic diversity of moringa seedlings cultivated in the Central-West region of Brazil. This study aimed to characterize a population of moringa seedlings using different qualitative morphological descriptors. A population consisting of 1,263 28-day-old moringa plants was initially classified and separated into four distinct phenotypic groups based on hypocotyl color [seedlings with hypocotyls colored green (100% green), ¾ green (75% green and 25% purple ), ¾ purple (25% green and 75% purple), and purple hypocotyl (100% purple)]. Initially, the seedling emergence rate and the frequency of occurrence of the different hypocotyl color classes in the total population were evaluated. Subsequently, 10 morphological descriptors were evaluated in each group of plants with different hypocotyl color. The plant emergence rate was 74%, indicating the adequate physiological quality of the seeds. The separation of the population into four phenotypic groups based on the color of the hypocotyl allowed us to separate 432 plants (34.2%) with a green hypocotyl, 480 plants (38.0%) with a ¾ green color, 336 plants (26.6% ) ¾ purple in color and 15 plants (1.2%) with purple hypocotyls. The results reported that of the ten morphological descriptors evaluated, only the type of insertion of the first pair of leaves (TI_1F) and the height of insertion of the first leaf (AI_1F) have significant differences (P < 0.05) between the different phenotypic groups of seedlings. moringa. Seedlings from the phenotypic group with purple or ¾ purple hypocotyls have the entire insertion of the first pair of daughters of the opposite type, while seedlings with green and ¾ green hypocotyls have, respectively, 25% and 42% of the plants with the insertion of the first pair of alternating leaves. Seedlings with purple hypocotyls have a higher insertion height of the first leaf (AI_1F) when compared to green and ¾ green seedlings. Highly significant and negative correlations were obtained between TI_1F and DC (–0.99, P < 0.05) and VR (–0.96; P < 0.05). Highly significant and positive correlations were obtained between AI_1F and DC (0.96; P < 0.05). It can be stated that there is genetic and phenotypic variability within a population of moringa seedlings, and the distinct phenotypic groups separated based on hypocotyl color have some characteristics or morphological descriptors typical of their group.