Drying tests for ripe and green banana ( M u m cv. Giant Cavendish AAA) slices and for a foam made from ripe banana puree were performed in a household microwave oven and in a laboratory forced draft warm air oven. Weight change of the banana slices as a function of time in both ovens, and temperature and relative humidity (RH) of air leaving the microwave oven were recorded. Drying rates were calculated and the data fitted to a variable diffusion model. Drying time in the microwave oven was seventeen to twenty times less than in the forced draft oven. The drying energy efficiency in the microwave oven was about 30%.

The use of mycorrhiza is a promising biotechnology that makes coffee cultivation sustainable in the use of fertilizers. In this sense, plant growth and phosphorus contents were assessed in coffee inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Dentiscutata heterogama in soil fertilized with 0, 0.74, 1.48 and 2.96 g P2O5 kg-1. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with four replications. The mycorrhizal seedlings were previously produced and later transplanted to pots, simulating the field planting. The assessments were performed 150 days after transplanting. All variables were influenced by inoculation, but the effects were dependent on P doses. P doses higher than 50% of the recommended dose (0.74 g P2O5 kg-1) decreased the benefit of mycorrhiza. The fungi Rhizophagus clarus and Claroideoglomus etunicatum promoted a higher growth of coffee plants when compared to non-inoculated plants in non-sterilized soils and with a reduction in the applied P.

The final destination of solid industrial waste is one of the main environmental problems currently facing, due to its potential for contamination. With the evolution of environmental policy and awareness, the proper destination of these wastes is stimulated, seeking new technologies to fulfil the demand for the products generated. One of the solutions to this environmental problem is to use these residues as fertilizers in agriculture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of toxic textile residues as a substrate component of coffee seedlings and as fertilizer in the initial growth of coffee plants. The study was divided into three experiments: production of seedlings, initial growth of potted plants and in the field. In the production of seedlings, the treatments consisted of different proportions of organic compost residues from the textile industry: 0, 4, 8, 16 and 32% and a conventional treatment of seedling production. In pots and in the field, the same treatments were used with organic compound, and a conventional planting treatment. In the three experiments, plant growth and nutritional analyses were performed. The conventional treatment provided better development of the seedlings and the potted and field coffee plants for most of the evaluated parameters. The treatments between 8 and 16% of organic compost showed an acceptable development of coffee plants, demonstrating their potential as fertilizer.

-The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effects of the interference by Urochloa brizantha on coffee seedlings inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. A randomized block design and a 4 x 2 layout was used, where factor A was constituted by seedlings inoculated with Rhizophagus clarus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum and Dentiscutata heterogama, as well as some that were not inoculated, and factor B, constituted by plants in competition or alone. The sowing was conducted on washed sand to produce the coffee seedlings, which, during the matchstick stage, were transplanted into polyethylene bags, and inoculated when showing six pairs of leafs. Then, they were transplanted into pots where they were subjected to interference from two plants of U. brizantha for 90 days, during which time their growth and nutrient accumulation were evaluated on the leaves. As a result, an interaction between the following factors was observed: plant height, leaf area, shoot dry weight, dry weight for roots and P, Mg and Zn content in coffee seedlings. The damaging effect on the growth and P accumulation caused by the weed was reduced in coffee seedlings inoculated with mycorrhiza. Another conclusion was that the inoculation factor increases the competitive power of coffee seedlings. Keywords: Coffea arabica, Rhizophagus clarus, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Dentiscutata heterogama,Urochloa brizantha. RESUMO -Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os efeitos da interferência de

Organic or organomineral fertilization favours aeration; the distribution, storage and drainage of water through the structure of the soil favouring, in this way, the reduction in sudden variations in temperature that interrupts the of absorption of nutrients by plants. In addition, it is an important source of macro- and micronutrients essential for plant growth and development. The present study was carried out at the Olericulture Sector of the Federal University of the Valleys of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri with the aim of determining the behaviour and growth pattern of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Regina, at different levels of fertilization and variable temperature. Temperatures were 12 °C, 20 °C, 23°C and 28°C. A granulated organic fertilizer modified with conventional minerals, proposed by Geofert (a pelletized organic-mineral ((4N-17P2O5-7K2O at 5.30 g/pot) was applied, and cattle manure plus a control treatment without fertilizer. Parameters as plant height, 'head' point diameter, and leaves number/plant were measured. In addition, chlorophyll A and B contents were estimated, leaf area ratio (LAR), the specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf weight ratio (LWR). Fertilization with bovine manure and Geofert fertilizer favoured plant growth, especially at lower or higher temperatures than the recommended for this vegetable (15 - 24 ° C). Organic fertilizers were more efficient than conventional fertilization in the moderating effects of the high temperatures evaluated.