-To assess the influence of genotype and diets with different energy levels on the lipid profile of sheep meat, 54 lambs were used (18 animals from each genotype: Morada Nova, Santa Inez and ½Dorper + ½Santa Inez crossbred), distributed in a completely randomized experimental design in a 3 × 2 factorial arragement (three genotypes and two diets).The animals were submitted to two diets, 2.5 Mcal ME/kg DM and 3.0 Mcal ME/kg DM, receiving feed and water to reach the desired average live weight of 30 kg, when they were slaughtered. Total lipids, cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acids profile of the Longissimus muscle were assessed. Diet and genotype did not influence the total lipids, cholesterol and

A pesquisa foi realizada na casa de vegetação do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco-IPA, Recife-PE, objetivando avaliar os efeitos dos níveis de fósforo (P) e potássio (K) no crescimento e composição química da palma forrageira clone IPA-20. Estudou-se quatro níveis de P (0; 200; 400 e 800 kg P 2 O 5 ha-1) e quatro níveis de K (0; 200; 400 e 800 kg de K 2 O ha-1), em um arranjo fatorial 4 x 4, num delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. As observações foram realizadas em intervalos de 28 dias, iniciando-se no terceiro mês do plantio até o sexto mês. Para o peso da matéria verde total observou-se efeito significativo apenas para o fator K (P < 0,05). Para teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg e S na parte aérea da palma, os níveis de P testados foram significativos (P < 0,05) para todos os nutrientes com exceção do P. Para níveis de K aplicados ao solo, observou-se efeito significativo (P < 0,05) apenas para teores de Ca e S. Os valores médios apresen

No abstract

-Cultivars of the genus Nopalea are known in Brazil for being tolerant to cochineal carmine attacks, thus making the cultivation of this genus a promising alternative for mitigating the negative effects of this insect on the production of biomass. With the objectives of characterizing morphologically spineless forage cactus varieties and identify morphological characteristics that may be the focus in spineless forage cactus breeding programs, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with 11 treatments and four replications. The variety Alagoas showed the highest values of weight, area and volume of cladodes. The varieties Negro Michoacan F7 and V7, Tamazunchale V12 showed the highest values of the cladode area index, the total volume of cladodes and total fresh mass production. The varieties Negro Michoacan V7 and F7 presented the highest water use efficiency and dry mass yield. Cladode volume showed the highest correlation coefficients with the fresh weight of cladodes. Aiming the release of varieties for biomass production, varieties Negro Michoacan F7, V7 and Tamazunchale V12 may substitute the Miúda variety. The number and cladode area index may be used as criteria for selection of superior varieties in breeding programs. Keywords:Cladodes. Correlations. Dry mass yield. Nopalea cochenillifera. CARACTERIZAÇÃO MORFOLÓGICA E PRODUTIVA DE VARIEDADES DE PALMA FORRAGEIRARESUMO -Cultivares do gênero Nopalea são conhecidos no Brasil por serem tolerantes ao ataque cochonilha carmim, tornando o cultivo desse gênero uma alternativa promissora para mitigar os efeitos negativos deste inseto sobre a produção de biomassa. Com o objetivo de caracterizar morfologicamente variedades de palma forrageira e identificar características morfológicas que podem ser o foco em programas de melhoramento genético, um experimento foi conduzido em delineamento de blocos casualizados com 11 tratamentos e quatro repetições. A variedade Alagoas apresentou os maiores valores de peso, área e volume de cladódios. As variedades Negro Michoacan F7 e V7, Tamazunchale V12 apresentaram os maiores valores de índice de área cladó-dio, volume total de cladódios e produção total de massa fresca. As variedades Negro Michoacan V7 e F7 apresentaram maior eficiência do uso de água e produção de massa seca. O volume de cladódios apresentou o maior coeficiente de correlação com a massa fresca de cladódios. Visando a liberação de variedades para a produção de biomassa, as variedades Negros Michoacan F7, V7 e V12 Tamazunchale podem substituir a variedade Miú-da. O número e cladódios índice de área podem ser utilizados como critério para seleção de variedades superiores em programas de melhoramento.Palavras-chave: Cladódios. Correlações. Produção de massa seca. Nopalea cochenillifera.

-It was evaluated qualitative characteristics of confined hair sheep submitted to diets with two energy levels.Eighteen lambs from each genotype were used: Morada Nova, Santa Inez and Dorpper × Santa Inez crossbreds. The rations with the lowest and the highest energy level were made up with 2.5 and 2.94 Mcal EM/kg DM, respectively. It was evaluated conformation and finishing carcass, in addition to leg tissue composition. The score for conformation was significantly higher for animals kept in diet with the highest energy level and for Dorpper × Santa Inês crossbreds. Animals from Santa Inez and from Dorpper × Santa Inez breeds showed score for meat color close to red class, while Morada Nova genotype was close to slightly dark red. The muscle:bone ratio for Dorpper × Santa Inez crossbred and Morada Nova animals was higher than for Santa Inez animals. The muscle:fat ratio was higher in animals kept with the lowest energy concentration diet. The rib eye area of Dorpper × Santa Inez crossbred animals was similar to Morada Nova animals and higher than Santa Inez group. Carcass compactness index and subcutaneous fat thickness and maximum cover fat thickness on the surface of the 12 th rib were higher for animals submitted to the diet with the highest energy level. Leg fat was the only tissue influenced by diet calory density, while bone tissue was affected by the genotypes, since Santa Inez breed showed the highest percentage in this tissue. The genotype and level of energy in the diet affect carcass conformation. Diets with higher energy density improve carcass compactness index and subcutaneous fat thickness.