Salt stress is a condition that causes physiological changes in several species, the identifying cultivars tolerant to such conditions is essential to high salinity environments. The objective was to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds of chickpea cultivars to salt stress during germination and seedling growth. Two cultivars (‘BRS Cícero’ and ‘BRS Aleppo’) and five osmotic potentials simulated with sodium chloride solutions (0.0; -0.2; -0.4; -0.6 and -0.8 MPa), were evaluated by the test of germination speed index, mean germination time, epicotyl and primary root length, epicotyl and primary root fresh mass, epicotyl and the primary root dry mass of the seeds were evaluated. Significant interactions were found for all variables, indicating that there are cultivars with specific performance for a particular salt condition, and the simulated salt stress conditions negatively affected germination and seedling growth. Osmotic potentials of less than -0.4 MPa are harmful to the germination and growth of chickpea seedlings. The ‘BRS Cícero’ seeds showed a higher salt tolerance than ‘BRS Aleppo’. The cultivar BRS Aleppo has a longer epicotyl length compared to 'BRS Cícero' when subjected to the same conditions of salt stress.

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) has aroused interest from producers, leading to an intense demand for technical information, especially for obtaining quality seedlings. The objective of this study was to evaluate passion fruit seedlings according to age and morphological characteristics. The experiment was carried out at the seedling nursery of the State University of Montes Claros, Campus Janaúba-MG, Brazil, from March to June 2017. The cultivars BRS Gigante Amarelo, BRS Rubi do Cerrado, BRS Pérola do Cerrado and Redondo Amarelo were evaluated, distributed in randomized blocks with five replications, in a split-plot scheme (4 × 4). There was an adjustment of the model (IQM = 6.3857 − 0.3892 NL + 3.3512 SD − 0.2063 SPAD + 0.0730 LA), which proposes a quality parameter of passion fruit seedlings, high level of significance and coefficient of determination, necessary for the reliability and accuracy of the results obtained. Considering the proposed model (IQM), there is no need for destructive analysis, and evaluations can be performed in the nursery itself as soon as a seedling lot reaches the recommended height of 30 cm. The evaluated characteristics contribute significantly to the quality of the seedling, and it is recommended, besides the height measurement, to evaluate the number of leaves, the stem diameter, the leaf area and the SPAD index, because the combination of these parameters will guarantee the necessary quality of the seedlings to be transplanted in the field.

The objective was to evaluate the minimum size of experimental plots for the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) using the modified maximum curvature method. The experiment consisted of a uniformity trial with the cultivar BRSFC-402 sown at a spacing of 0.5 m between plant rows and 10 plants per meter within the row. 20 central rows measuring 20 m in length were considered for measurements, totaling 4,000 plants on an area of 200 m2. Final bean stand (FS), mean number of pods per plant (NPP), mean number of grain per pod (NGP), mean 100-grain weight (M100), and grain yield (kg ha-1) were evaluated. At evaluations, each row with 10 plants was considered a basic unit (0.5 m2), amounting to 400 basic units whose dimensions were combined into 14 plot shapes.  The methods of relative information and modified maximum curvature were used to obtain the best shape and the most appropriate plot size, respectively, for experimental evaluation with common bean. Using these methods, and considering that the optimum plot should enable an efficient evaluation of all evaluated characteristics, the appropriate plot size was five UB (25 plants) in the format with five rows x one UB per row. Highlights Support for experimental evaluation of common beans under edaphoclimatic conditions in the northern region of Minas Gerais Experimental plots with five basic units ensure maximum precision for joint evaluation of the main phenotypic descriptors of common beans. The characteristics mass of 100 grains and productivity were associated with the smallest and the largest plot sizes, respectively.

The objective was to evaluate the production yield and influence of the action of ascorbic acid on the color of dehydrated white and purple sweet potatoes produced in a semi-arid region. The experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of Technology of Products of Plant Origin (TPOV) of the State University of Montes Claros, Janáuba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Sweet potato roots of the cultivars Brazlândia roxa and Brazlândia branco were used. To determine the action of ascorbic acid on the color of dehydrated white and purple sweet potato, a completely randomized design with 4 replications was used. Analysis of variance was performed in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, with two cultivars (Roxa and Branca) and absence and presence of ascorbic acid. The results were submitted to statistical analysis using the Sisvar Software. The average yield of white potato was 23% and purple 18.41%. For the variable of soluble solids, no significant differences were observed between the varieties. The sweet potato cultivar Brazlândia Branca showed better yield when submitted to the drying process. The sweet potato cultivar Brazlândia, when submitted to the dehydration process, presented a more yellowish color, however, with less intense coloration in the presence of ascorbic acid.

Carrot (Daucus carota) is one of the most important vegetables in the world. Cow urine is a fertilizer available in rural areas and can be used in agriculture. However, there are no indications of the best dose to be used in carrots. The authors aimed with this work to evaluate different concentrations of cow urine in the cultivation of ‘Brasília’ carrots. The treatments consisted of five doses of cow urine (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%) applied during the culture cycle. After 90 days, the agronomic characteristics (weight, length, diameter, productivity, luminosity, chromaticity, and Hue angle) were evaluated. The application of cow urine increased the weight, diameter, and length of ‘Brasilia’ carrots.