The degree of in vivo compatibility between the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and castor oil is important, as the interaction can be additive, synergistic or antagonistic. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo compatibility between castor oil and B. bassiana on the coffee berry borer. The CCA-UFES/Bb-4 isolate of B. bassiana was used in concentrations of 0.0 (control), 1 x 104, 1 x 105,1 x 106 and 1 x 107 conidia mL-1. The concentrations of castor oil were: 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% v v-1. The total and confirmed mortality were evaluated, and data submitted to variance analysis. To verify the effect of B. bassiana and castor oil concentrations, the data were submitted to regression analysis at 5% probability. Castor oil had an antagonistic effect on B. bassiana reducing the mortality of coffee berry borer. The mortality of H. hampei reduced caused by interaction between B. bassiana and castor oil, due to increasing concentration of castor oil. Lower interference of castor oil was observed for high concentrations of B. bassiana. Based on the results, management of H. hampei cannot be normally performed using the association between castor bean oil and B. bassiana, except if the economic viability of the higher concentrations justified. Key words: Ricinus communis; Botanical insecticides; Biological control; Phytosanitary pest management; Coffee crop.

The ecophysiological parameters of coffee canopy were mapped throughout the day. Therefore, evaluations were carried out in ‘Catuaí Vermelho’<em> Coffea arabica</em> L., measuring 1.7 meters. A vertical gradient (from the apex to the base of the plant canopy) and a horizontal gradient (plagiotropic branches) were established to analyze different positions of the canopy. Thus, in the vertical direction, four heights were analyzed in the plant: top, upper, middle and lower regions. In the horizontal gradient, the plagiotropic branches were divided into three parts: basal, median and apical. Collection was performed on the east and west sides of the canopy, at four times of the day: 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m., totaling 24 collection points at each time. Gas exchange, photosynthetically active radiation and leaf temperature were evaluated in each of the 24 points of the coffee canopy. The gas exchange characteristics of an individual coffee leaf diverge considerably from other leaves, which require caution when scaling estimates of leaf photosynthesis at the global canopy level. The analysis of some punctual leaves does not serve to discriminate the overall dynamics of a canopy.

<p>Bacterial blight of coffee (<em>Pseudomonas</em> <em>syringae</em> pv. <em>garcae</em>) (PSG) has been causing damage and losses to coffee growing. However, initial stages of the infectious process<em> </em>should be described in order to understand the relationship cycle and to propose efficient management strategies. This study described the initial stages of<strong> </strong>infectious process of the PSG in coffee leaves over time. The bacterial penetration sites studied were stomata, leaf margins, and wounds. Coffee seedlings received 50μL inoculum suspension at marked points on the abaxial face and leaf margins, and around wounds. By 30 minutes, 1, 3, 6, and 12 hours after inoculation, leaf disks collected at inoculated points were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. One hour after inoculation, bacterial groups could be seen as result of cell multiplication. Subsequently, the number of grouped bacteria increased proportionally over time. A growing population concentration was found near stomata, wounds, epidermal appendages, and wax layer on leaf margins and leaf tip. Bacteria were positioned in their long axis starting from structures, thus creating a population gradient and displacement flow toward penetration pathways. Initial stages of infectious process occurred in all penetration sites, thus it was not possible to determine a preferred pathway.</p>

The spatial variability of the total chlorophyll content and carotenoids content, starch and soluble sugars of coffee canopy were mapped throughout the day. Therefore, evaluations were carried out in a ‘Catuaí Vermelho’ coffee plant with 1.7 meters height. A vertical gradient (from the apex to the base of the plant canopy) and a horizontal gradient (plagiotropic branches) were established to analyze different positions of the canopy. Thus, in the vertical direction, four heights were analyzed in the plant: top, upper, middle and lower regions. In the horizontal gradient, the plagiotropic branches were divided into three parts: basal, median and apical. Collection of leaf samples was performed on the east and west sides of the canopy, at 9 a.m., totaling 24 collection points at each time. Higher content of photosynthetic pigments and concentration of sugars were observed in the western face and in the inner parts of the coffee tree. The content of chloroplast pigments and sugars of an individual coffee leaf diverge considerably from other leaves, which requires caution when scaling estimates at the global canopy level. The analysis of some punctual leaves does not serve to discriminate the overall dynamics of a canopy.

Despite the great diversity of available Arabica coffee cultivars it is observed that, even when presenting different phenotypes of interest, new cultivars are adopted at a slow pace by coffee growers. One possible reason may be the lack of information on the performance of these genotypes in different regions and culture conditions. The aim this work was to verify the performance of twelve coffee cultivars in relation to morphoagronomic characteristics at initial stage of development, as well as the beans quality, in a condition of typical cultivation of the Cerrado. The trial was carried out in the municipality of Monte Carmelo - MG, in randomized block design, with four replicates. Morphoagronomic characteristics were evaluated 15 months after the implantation of the crop. The productivity and, subsequently, the quality of the beans, were evaluated at 18 months. Statistical analyzes were performed using the Genes software. The data were submitted to analysis of variance. The F test was used to determine the significance of treatments. The means were grouped by the Scott-Knott test (1974) at 5% probability and the experimental precision was verified by the estimation of the experimental variation coefficient (CV) and the selective accuracy. The sensory attributes were evaluated in a radar diagram, called “Sensogram”. Genetic variability was observed among cultivars for the vegetative characters. The cultivars Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144 and MGS Aranãs stood out as more productive, with a high percentage of sieve 16 and above and low percentage of grain type mocha. All the cultivars stood out as special, with emphasis on the cultivar Bourbon Amarelo IAC J10 in the wet processing and Catuaí Vermelho IAC 144 in the natural processing.

Coffee is the second most consumed brew in the world, after water. Cafestol and kahweol are two diterpenes that have been identified, until now, exclusively in the coffee tree. They are co-extracted from the coffee beans that are roasted and ground for the beverage preparation. Their pharmacological properties are related to anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities, although they also increase the serum cholesterol. Several researches reported that coffee brew preparation methods influence directly the levels of the diterpenes. This paper describes a compilation of the main results published for different coffee brews and all variables related to their preparation. Major differences in the reported concentrations have been noted.

The leaf miner is a key pest of coffee and the use of insecticides for its control results in high water consumption. The objective in this study was to evaluate the quali-quantitative aspects of reduced spray volumes with and without the addition of adjuvant, the efficacy of the insecticide cartap hydrochloride in the control of the pest and its effects on the parasitism. Two experiments were carried out in coffee plantations in São Desiderio, BA. Initially, solution of Brilliant Blue tracer (0.15% p v-1) of the 43, 112, 146 and 309 L ha-1 volumes was sprayed with and without the soybean oil methyl ester adjuvant (0.25 % v v-1). Before spraying, water-sensitive cards were fixed to the plants and subsequently used for analyze the droplet spectrum in Gotas 1.0 software. The tracer deposit was determined by spectrophotometry. Posteriorly, the insecticide cartap hydrochloride (0.5 kg a.i. ha-1) was applied in the same volumes and types of spray used in the first test. Infestation rates of pest and parasitism were evaluated before and after application of the insecticide. The quali-quantitative aspects of the sprays were affected by the volume of spray applied, by the adjuvant and by the interaction of the factors. The intermediate volumes yielded better spraying quality without the presence of the adjuvante, with higher number and desity of drops. The spraying volume affected the depoisto the Brilliant Blue tracer in a linear and positive form. The efficacy of the insecticide was prolonged with the lowest volume spray and with adjuvant and its impact on parasitism varied with the volume applied and time after application.

<p>The objective of this study was to identify meteorological variables related to the sensorial quality of the coffees from Mantiqueira region in Minas Gerais. Meteorological conditions are strongly related to the coffee’s sensorial characteristics, however, there aren’t many studies quantifying this relation. Air temperature and rainfall data were collected and spatialized for regional analysis. These were associated to the 2007 through 2011 coffees’ beverage scores. The region is stratified according to relief characteristics. The bigger frequency of high scores occurred on the region’s central-south, where coffee cultivation is performed above 900 m altitude. For the <em>in loco </em>study, meteorological data and coffee samples were collected in selected pilot areas. Coffee crops were selected in three altitude ranges: below 1000 m, between 1000 and 1200 m, and over 1200 m. Above 1000 m the meteorological variable that presented the biggest variation was the air temperature. Above 1000 m the smallest thermal amplitude occurred, which provided superior quality coffees. The study demonstrates the importance of the meteorological variable characterization aiming to identify locations with greater vocation to the specialty coffees production.</p>

<p>Rust is the main disease of coffee. Recently, cercospora leaf spot has grown in importance, intensifying defoliation and decreasing grain yield. The aim of this study was to use a mixed model approach to select the best progenies of "Big Coffee VL" for resistance to rust and cercospora leaf spot. We used 12 progenies with high bean yields. Based on bean size, leaves and plant size, plants within each progeny were classified as "small" (P), "medium" (M) and "large" (G). The experimental design was completely randomized, with six replicates and one plant per plot. Six measurements were carried out every 15 days for each plant by selecting 20 fully exposed leaves with higher and lower sun exposures. The measurements summarized disease severity using two diagrammatic scales to obtain the area of the leaf under rust or Cercospora leaf spot. A mixed model approach was used to calculate genotypic value (GV) and heritability estimates. The Mulamba and Mock index was used to select the most resistant progenies, in which the sum of rankings was weighted by a heritability value. Five progenies were selected; three progenies were G (G17, G9, and G12), one progeny was M (M5) and another progeny P (P23). Among these, M5 and P23 progenies are the most productive and may have potential use in future studies. The statistical approach used to predict promising genotypes facilitates the selection of genetically superior individuals for maximizing yields.</p>

Evapotranspiration (evaporation and transpiration) represents vegetated soil water loss to the atmosphere, can be estimated by various empirical methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of methods of Blaney-Criddle, Jensen-Haise, Linacre, Solar Radiation, Hargreaves-Samani, Makkink, Thornthwaite, Camargo, Priestley-Taylor and Penman in the estimation of potential evapotranspiration comparing to the standard method Penman-Monteith (FAO56) regarding the climatic conditions of the city of Araxa, MG. A set of 35 years of monthly data (1976 to 2010) was used, working with the climatic elements: temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and insolation. The empirical methods to estimate reference evapotranspiration were compared with the standard method using linear regression, simple statistical analysis, Willmott agreement index (d) and performance index (c). The method of Makkink showed the best performance according to the set of parameters evaluated and it is recommended to calculate ETo in Cerrado of Minas Gerais.