This study aimed to determine the physiological maturity of A. edulis seeds, check if this is achieved in the same maturation stage, regardless of the collection region and, colorimetry of the fruit can be indicative of the time of harvest. Fruits were harvested in three counties of the western region of Paraná and visually classified into five ripening stages according to the color of the pericarp with the help of a digital colorimeter. Analyzed seed variables included morphological characteristics, germination and vigor. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. The maximum dry matter accumulation of seeds was reached when the fruits reached the color orange. With the advance of the ripening process, red color fruits had seeds with lesser moisture content, coinciding with the maximum germination percentage and speed, besides generating seedlings with larger size and biomass accumulation. The green spectrum allowed to discriminate maturity from different places of harvest. A. edulis seeds with physiological maturity should be harvested when fruits present the red color, independent of the harvesting region or, with reflectance values between 28.0 and 49.2 nm in the green range of the color spectrum.

The black spot disease caused by the fungus Alternaria solani (Ellis and Martin) L. R. Jones and Gront is one of the most important diseases of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). The control is usually performed with fungicides, resulting in products contaminated with pesticide residues. In recent years, the use of homeopathic medicines has been highlighted in research for disease control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro fungitoxicity against A. solani by the homeopathic medicines Propolis, Isotherapic of A. solani and Isotherapic of ash, at 6, 12, 30 and 60CH (hahnemanian centesimal) dynamizations, and Sulphur, Silicea terra, Staphysagria, Phosphorus, Ferrum sulphuricum and Kali iodatum at 6, 12, 30 and 100CH dynamizations. Distilled water and 30% hydroalcoholic solution were used as controls at 12, 30, 60 and 100CH dynamizations. Mycelial growth, sporulation and conidial germination of A. solani were evaluated. The results indicated that for mycelial growth only in Sulphur and Staphysagria 100CH showed suppressive effect compared to both controls. For sporulation, Propolis 6, 30 and 60CH and Ferrum sulphuricum 6 and 30CH caused inhibition and differed from both controls. Isotherapic of A. solani 6CH, Isotherapic of ash 6CH and Ferrum sulphuricum 30CH reduced spores germination of the pathogen. It was also found that distilled water at 60 and 100CH inhibited mycelium growth. These results indicate the potential of some homeopathic medicines for trials aiming to control the black spot disease in tomato crops.

The study aimed to evaluate the control of Meloidogyne incognita in resistant and susceptible tomato genotypes treated with hydrogel containing avocado extracts (Persea americana Mill.). The methanolic extract of avocado seeds was evaporated and re-suspended in distilled water containing Tween 80 (0.6%). The extract was prepared with the following concentrations: 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1000 mg L ), for in vivo testing. The hydrogel containing avocado extract was added to the pits of tomato plants during transplanting, and after three days, M. incognita was inoculated. After 30 days, the relative chlorophyll content was assessed, along with the total volume of root, the number of galls and egg masses, viability of the egg mass, and number of eggs and juveniles per root system in 100 cm 3 of soil. From these assessments, the most effective dose in the control of nematodes was tested again with the extract concentrations of 1000, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 mg L -1 in the hydrogel, which was added to the pits at the time of transplantation. After 30 days of inoculation the same evaluations were performed. In vitro, the concentration of 1000 mg L -1 of the avocado extract was the most effective in reducing the hatched juveniles, while motility and mortality were not influenced. In vivo, 1.0 g pit -1 dose in the first test had greater control of nematodes in susceptible plants for all variables assessed. It was incorporated into the pits of tomato plants for the realization of the second test. In this, the concentration of 8000 mg L -1 was the most effective in controlling M. incognita. Therefore, the avocado seed extract served in hydrogel has the potential to control M. incognita in tomato plants.