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BACKGROUND: Climate influences the interaction between pathogens and their hosts significantly. This is particularly evident in the coffee industry, where fungal diseases like Cercospora coffeicola, causing brown-eye spot, can reduce yields drastically. This study focuses on forecasting coffee brown-eye spot using various models that incorporate agrometeorological data, allowing for predictions at least 1 week prior to the occurrence of disease. Data were gathered from eight locations across São Paulo and Minas Gerais, encompassing the South and Cerrado regions of Minas Gerais state. In the initial phase, various machine learning (ML) models and topologies were calibrated to forecast brown-eye spot, identifying one with potential for advanced decision-making. The top-performing models were then employed in the next stage to forecast and spatially project the severity of brown-eye spot across 2681 key Brazilian coffee-producing municipalities. Meteorological data were sourced from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources platform, and the Penman-Monteith method was used to estimate reference evapotranspiration, leading to a Thornthwaite and Mather water-balance calculation. Six ML models - K-nearest neighbors (KNN), artificial neural network multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector machine (SVM), random forests (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and gradient boosting regression (GradBOOSTING) - were employed, considering disease latency to time define input variables. RESULTS: These models utilized climatic elements such as average air temperature, relative humidity, leaf wetness duration, rainfall, evapotranspiration, water deficit, and surplus. The XGBoost model proved most effective in high-yielding conditions, demonstrating high precision and accuracy. Conversely, the SVM model excelled in low-yielding scenarios. The incidence of brown-eye spot varied noticeably between high- and low-yield conditions, with significant regional differences observed. The accuracy of predicting brown-eye spot severity in coffee plantations depended on the biennial production cycle. High-yielding trees showed superior results with the XGBoost model (R2 = 0.77, root mean squared error, RMSE = 10.53), whereas the SVM model performed better under low-yielding conditions (precision 0.76, RMSE = 12.82). CONCLUSION: The study's application of agrometeorological variables and ML models successfully predicted the incidence of brown-eye spot in coffee plantations with a 7 day lead time, illustrating that they were valuable tools for managing this significant agricultural challenge. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

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Over the past decade, the business of producing juice from grapes (Vitis labrusca L. and hybrids) has been expanding in response to increasing consumption encouraged by campaigns promoting the benefits grape juice can have on health. This study aimed to determine the effect of the production cycle, vine training system, and rootstock on the yield and physical and physical-chemical characteristics of 'BRS Magna' grapes grown in the Vale do Submédio São Francisco in the northeastern region of Brazil. The study was conducted in Petrolina, Pernambuco, over eight production cycles (2017 to 2020). The grapevines were trained in three vine training trellis systems: espalier, lyre, and pergola; and grafted onto two rootstocks: IAC 572 and IAC 766. The production cycle, training system, and rootstocks affected the yield components, vigor, and physical characteristics of the BRS Magna grapes. The combination of the pergola training system and rootstock IAC 766 stood out from the others, providing mean yields estimated at 26 t ha -1 per production cycle. The soluble solids content (SS), titratable acidity (TA), and SS TA -1 ratio were affected neither by the training system nor the rootstock, and higher values for SS and lower values for TA were obtained in the first, second, fourth and eighth production cycles. Thus, the pergola training system and rootstock IAC 766 are recommended for promoting yield gains in the 'BRS Magna' grape in the Vale do Submédio São Francisco.(AU)

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Environmental impacts of conventional agriculture have generated interest in sustainable agriculture. Biological pest control is a fundamental tool, and ants are key players providing ecological services, as well as some disservices. We have used a meta-analytical approach to investigate the contribution of ants to biological control, considering their effects on pest and natural enemy abundance, plant damage and crop yield. We also evaluated whether the effects of ants are modulated by traits of ants, pests and other natural enemies, as well as by field size, crop system and experiment duration. Overall (considering all meta-analyses), from 52 studies on 17 different crops, we found that ants decrease the abundance of non-honeydew-producing pests, decrease plant damage and increase crop yield (services). In addition, ants decrease the abundance of natural enemies, mainly the generalist ones, and increase honeydew-producing pest abundance (disservices). We show that the pest control and plant protection provided by ants are boosted in shaded crops compared to monocultures. Furthermore, ants increase crop yield in shaded crops, and this effect increases with time. Finally, we bring new insights such as the importance of shaded crops to ant services, providing a good tool for farmers and stakeholders considering sustainable farming practices.

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Cover crops (CC) have demonstrated beneficial effects on several soil properties yet questions remain regarding their effects on soil microbial communities. Among them, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) have a key role for N cycling in soil and their responses in the rhizosphere of terminated CC deserve further investigation. A greenhouse experiment was established to assess N fertilization (with or without N) and termination methods (glyphosate, mowing, and untreated control) of common oat (Avena sativa L.) as potential drivers of AOA and AOB responses in the rhizosphere. The abundance of amoA genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), the community structure was assessed with Illumina amplicon sequencing of these genes, while the function was assessed from potential nitrification activity (PNA). While N fertilization had no influence on AOA, the termination method significantly increased amoA gene copies of AOA in mowed plants relative to glyphosate termination or the untreated control (1.76 and 1.49-fold change, respectively), and shifted AOA community structure (PERMANOVA, p<0.05). Ordination methods indicated a separation between AOA communities from control and glyphosate-terminated plants relative to mowed plants for both UniFrac and Aitchison distance. Converserly, N fertilization significantly increased AOB abundance in the rhizosphere of mowed and control plants, yet not in glyphosate-treated plants. Analyses of community structure showed that AOB changed only in response to N fertilization and not to the termination method. In line with these results, significantly higher PNA values were measured in all fertilized samples, regardless of the termination methods. Overall, the results of this study indicated that bacterial and archaeal nitrifiers have contrasting responses to fertlization and plant termination methods. While AOA were responsive to the termination method, AOB were more sensitive to N additions, although, the stimulative effect of N fertilization on amoA AOB abundance was dependent on the termination method.

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Soybean is considered one of today's most important crops. Planted on millions of hectares worldwide, the management of soybean pests usually requires large amounts of chemicals. However, a key component to meet the increasing demand for food due to the rapidly growing global population is protecting crops from pests while maintaining environmental quality through ecologically and economically sound integrated pest management (IPM) practices. Not only can IPM result in more profitable agriculture due to the reduction of pest control costs but also assures equitable, secure, sufficient, and stable flows of both food and ecosystem services. Despite those ecological and economic benefits, the vast areas of cultivated soybean as well as the convenience of spraying insecticides are encouraging the adoption of prophylactic pest control as a relatively inexpensive safeguard compared to IPM practices. Thus, in this forum, we discuss the reasons for soybean IPM not reaching its potential. We give examples of how we can revive this once successful pest management program with a focus on experiences in Brazil and the USA. We analyze IPM case studies to illustrate the need for growers to have easy and fast access to IPM information on its medium- and long-term benefits. Overall, this forum highlights the importance of IPM for agricultural sustainability including ecological and financial benefits.

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Grapes are considered to be a major source of phenolic compounds as compared with other fruits. To improve the quality of table grapes, some techniques like thinning can be used. In addition, grape cultivars with distinct characteristics are directly linked to its phenolic profile. This study aimed to identify and quantify the phenolic compound profile and yield of the hybrid 'BRS Vitoria' seedless table grape under different bunch densities, using a combination of solid-phase extraction (SPE) methodologies and analytical high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS). A trial was carried out in 2016, in a commercial vineyard at Marialva, state of Parana (South Brazil). Three weeks after anthesis, the following bunch densities were evaluated: 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6 bunches per m2 (corresponding to an estimation of 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 tons ha-1). The randomized block design was used as a statistical model with each treatment was replicated four times, with one vine per plot. Different characteristics were evaluated at harvest, e.g., soluble solids content (SS), total acidity (TA), maturation index (MI = SS/TA), bunch and berry masses, yield, as well hydroxycinnamic acid derivative (HCAD), anthocyanin, flavonol, and flavan-3-ol contents by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The evaluated bunch densities did not interfere with the physicochemical characteristics of the berries, such as SS and MI. Under the density of 6.0 bunches per m2, the highest yield of 25 tons ha-1 was reached. Under all bunch densities, the phenolic profile presented the same compounds, but at different concentrations. Under a density of 5.0 bunches per m2, the compounds belonging to the anthocyanin and flavonol families were present in high concentrations. In contrast, at the densities of 4.0 and 4.5 bunches per m2, there was a reduction in the flavan-3-ol content. With respect to stilbenes, only the trans-piceid and its cis- isomer were detected. However, their concentrations had no significant influence on the evaluated bunch densities.

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Bananas are the world's most popular fruit. Nonetheless, a great part of the production is lost, mainly for insect and disease incidences. Thus, cover developing banana bunches is a promising physical protection method that will improve the visual quality of the fruits, especially the rapidly growing consumer demand for healthy fruits. In fact, bags serve as protective barrier, allowing the production of free fruit damage; consequently, lowering production costs by cutting crop losses, as well as avoiding chemical materials. There is a wide variety of bag types and colours, but also, there is a scarce literature on their efficiency. This study hence aimed to evaluate the influence of coloured polyethylene bags on yield, seasonality and plant health of the 'BRS Conquista' bananas in subtropical high-altitude growing conditions. Treatments therefore consisted of using white, black, red and blue polyethylene bags, besides control (uncovered). Then, bags were randomly distributed in five blocks, four plants per plot. After bunch harvest, the following evaluation were proceeded: agronomic yield, the interval between bunches cover and harvest, injuries caused by thrips and the incidence of anthracnose. Results indicated that banana bunch coverings did not interfere in bunch yield. Nevertheless, white and black bags reduced the interval between bunch covers and harvest, that is, 114 and 115 days, respectively. Furthermore, white and red bags reduced the damage caused by thrips in fruits; while white, red and blue bags decreased the anthracnose incidence. This study therefore recommends the use of white polyethylene bags to cover banana bunches of the cultivar BRS Conquista, since this bag colour showed highly efficiency in controlling thrips and anthracnose incidence, besides reducing the interval between bunch cover andharvest.(AU)

Bananas são as frutas mais populares do mundo, porém a incidência de insetos e de doenças provoca muitas perdas de frutos. Neste sentido, o ensacamento dos cachos torna-se uma técnica promissora, sobretudo diante da crescente exigência dos consumidores por frutos de qualidade e seguros do ponto de vista alimentar. Os sacos funcionam como barreira de proteção, permitindo a produção de frutos livres de danos, com consequente redução de perdas e dos custos com aplicações de produtos químicos. Contudo, existe uma grande variedade de tipos e cores de sacos no mercado, mas não há relatos sobre a interferência destes parâmetros sobre a eficiência do ensacamento. Portanto, este estudo objetivou avaliara influência do uso de sacolas de polietileno, com diferentes cores, sobre o rendimento, sazonalidade e fitossanidade dos cachos da banana 'BRS Conquista' cultivada em região subtropical de alta altitude. Os tratamentos consistiram na utilização de sacos de polietileno branco, preto, vermelho e azul, além do controle (sem ensacamento). Estes sacos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco blocos e quatro plantas por parcela. Após a colheita dos cachos, avaliou-se o rendimento agronômico, o intervalo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita e a presença de danos de tripes, além do avanço da incidência de antracnose até a maturação dos frutos. A partir dos resultados, verifica-se que o ensacamento não interferiu no rendimento dos cachos. Porém, a utilização de sacos brancos (114 dias) e pretos (115dias) reduziram o intervalo entre o ensacamento e a colheita. Os sacos brancos e vermelhos reduziram os danos provocados pelos tripes nas frutas; enquanto sacos brancos, vermelhos e azuis diminuíram a incidência de antracnose. Portanto, recomenda-se o uso de sacos de polietileno branco para coberturas de cachos de banana 'BRS Conquista', devido à maior eficiência no controle de tripes e antracnose; além de diminuir o intervalo de tempo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita.(AU)

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Bananas are the world's most popular fruit. Nonetheless, a great part of the production is lost, mainly for insect and disease incidences. Thus, cover developing banana bunches is a promising physical protection method that will improve the visual quality of the fruits, especially the rapidly growing consumer demand for healthy fruits. In fact, bags serve as protective barrier, allowing the production of free fruit damage; consequently, lowering production costs by cutting crop losses, as well as avoiding chemical materials. There is a wide variety of bag types and colours, but also, there is a scarce literature on their efficiency. This study hence aimed to evaluate the influence of coloured polyethylene bags on yield, seasonality and plant health of the 'BRS Conquista' bananas in subtropical high-altitude growing conditions. Treatments therefore consisted of using white, black, red and blue polyethylene bags, besides control (uncovered). Then, bags were randomly distributed in five blocks, four plants per plot. After bunch harvest, the following evaluation were proceeded: agronomic yield, the interval between bunches cover and harvest, injuries caused by thrips and the incidence of anthracnose. Results indicated that banana bunch coverings did not interfere in bunch yield. Nevertheless, white and black bags reduced the interval between bunch covers and harvest, that is, 114 and 115 days, respectively. Furthermore, white and red bags reduced the damage caused by thrips in fruits; while white, red and blue bags decreased the anthracnose incidence. This study therefore recommends the use of white polyethylene bags to cover banana bunches of the cultivar BRS Conquista, since this bag colour showed highly efficiency in controlling thrips and anthracnose incidence, besides reducing the interval between bunch cover andharvest.

Bananas são as frutas mais populares do mundo, porém a incidência de insetos e de doenças provoca muitas perdas de frutos. Neste sentido, o ensacamento dos cachos torna-se uma técnica promissora, sobretudo diante da crescente exigência dos consumidores por frutos de qualidade e seguros do ponto de vista alimentar. Os sacos funcionam como barreira de proteção, permitindo a produção de frutos livres de danos, com consequente redução de perdas e dos custos com aplicações de produtos químicos. Contudo, existe uma grande variedade de tipos e cores de sacos no mercado, mas não há relatos sobre a interferência destes parâmetros sobre a eficiência do ensacamento. Portanto, este estudo objetivou avaliara influência do uso de sacolas de polietileno, com diferentes cores, sobre o rendimento, sazonalidade e fitossanidade dos cachos da banana 'BRS Conquista' cultivada em região subtropical de alta altitude. Os tratamentos consistiram na utilização de sacos de polietileno branco, preto, vermelho e azul, além do controle (sem ensacamento). Estes sacos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco blocos e quatro plantas por parcela. Após a colheita dos cachos, avaliou-se o rendimento agronômico, o intervalo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita e a presença de danos de tripes, além do avanço da incidência de antracnose até a maturação dos frutos. A partir dos resultados, verifica-se que o ensacamento não interferiu no rendimento dos cachos. Porém, a utilização de sacos brancos (114 dias) e pretos (115dias) reduziram o intervalo entre o ensacamento e a colheita. Os sacos brancos e vermelhos reduziram os danos provocados pelos tripes nas frutas; enquanto sacos brancos, vermelhos e azuis diminuíram a incidência de antracnose. Portanto, recomenda-se o uso de sacos de polietileno branco para coberturas de cachos de banana 'BRS Conquista', devido à maior eficiência no controle de tripes e antracnose; além de diminuir o intervalo de tempo entre a emissão do cacho e a colheita.

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We surveyed parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) in two guarana plantations in the central Brazilian Amazon (one conventionally, and one organically managed), as well as in adjacent forest and edge areas between crop and forest. We evaluated differences between management systems in parasitoid diversity and abundance, and assessed the importance of the surrounding matrix as a source of parasitoid wasps for guarana cultivation. Parasitoid wasp richness, abundance and taxonomic composition (at family level) were compared between plantations, and among habitats within plantations. Wasps were sampled using Malaise and Moericke traps. A total of 25,951 parasitoid wasps (10,828 in the conventional, and 15,123 in the organic crop area) were collected, and were distributed in 11 superfamilies and 38 families. In the conventional management area, the greatest abundance and richness of parasitoids were recorded in the adjacent forest, while, in the organic management area, the greatest abundance and richness were recorded in the crop-forest edge. Parasitoid wasp family richness was not influenced by management system and habitat but varied significantly between trap types. Average wasp abundance varied significantly between management systems. The presence of adjacent forest in both cultivation areas likely contributed to a greater abundance and richness of parasitoid wasps, showing the importance of preserving forest areas near the plantations.(AU)

Pesquisamos vespas parasitoides (Hymenoptera) em duas plantações de guaraná na Amazônia central brasileira (uma convencional e outra manejada organicamente), bem como em florestas adjacentes e áreas de borda entre cultivo e floresta. Avaliamos as diferenças entre os sistemas de manejo na diversidade e abundância de parasitoides e a importância da matriz circundante como fonte de vespas parasitoides para o cultivo de guaraná. A riqueza de vespas parasitoides, abundância e a composição taxonômica (em nível de família) foram comparadas entre as plantações e entre os habitats nas plantações. As vespas foram amostradas usando armadilhas Malaise e Moericke. Foram coletadas 25.951 vespas parasitoides (10.828 em área de cultivo convencional e 15.123 em cultivo orgânico), distribuídas em 11 superfamílias e 38 famílias. Na área de manejo convencional, a maior abundância e riqueza de parasitoides foi registrada na floresta adjacente, enquanto na área de manejo orgânico, a maior abundância e riqueza foram registradas na borda da floresta. A riqueza de famílias de vespas parasitoides não foi influenciada pelo sistema de manejo e habitat, mas variou significativamente entre os tipos de armadilhas. A abundância média de vespas variou significativamente entre os sistemas de manejo. A presença de floresta adjacente em ambas as áreas de cultivo provavelmente contribuiu para uma maior abundância e riqueza de vespas parasitoides, mostrando a importância de preservar as áreas florestais próximas às plantações.(AU)

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We surveyed parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera) in two guarana plantations in the central Brazilian Amazon (one conventionally, and one organically managed), as well as in adjacent forest and edge areas between crop and forest. We evaluated differences between management systems in parasitoid diversity and abundance, and assessed the importance of the surrounding matrix as a source of parasitoid wasps for guarana cultivation. Parasitoid wasp richness, abundance and taxonomic composition (at family level) were compared between plantations, and among habitats within plantations. Wasps were sampled using Malaise and Moericke traps. A total of 25,951 parasitoid wasps (10,828 in the conventional, and 15,123 in the organic crop area) were collected, and were distributed in 11 superfamilies and 38 families. In the conventional management area, the greatest abundance and richness of parasitoids were recorded in the adjacent forest, while, in the organic management area, the greatest abundance and richness were recorded in the crop-forest edge. Parasitoid wasp family richness was not influenced by management system and habitat but varied significantly between trap types. Average wasp abundance varied significantly between management systems. The presence of adjacent forest in both cultivation areas likely contributed to a greater abundance and richness of parasitoid wasps, showing the importance of preserving forest areas near the plantations. (AU)

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