JOJOBA GERMINATIVE POTENTIAL FOR ARID AND SEMI-ARID AREAS: CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE AGRONOMIC RESEARCH AND IN THE REGIONAL TEACHING
Abiotic stresses; Biofuel; Dry lands; Jojoba; Science teaching, Seed germination
The current agricultural practices have demanded costs for the economy, resulting in losses in production and human capital. In arid and semi-arid areas, these consequences are even more evident, as the climatic conditions of these regions lead to greater environmental impacts, resulting from the development of activities that foster agribusiness. Therefore, the adoption of crops adapted to areas with a more hostile climate is an alternative for minimizing the impacts that make sustainable development unfeasible. The chapter 1 aimed to evaluate the effects of water and salt stress on germination and initial growth of jojoba (Simmondsia chinesis (Link) Scheneider) under different temperatures. Germitest paper rolls were used for germination, moistened with mannitol solutions 100 and 200 mM; NaCl 50 and 100 mM and demineralized water (control), placed in a germination chamber at 20, 28 and 32ºC. The analyzed variables were germination percentage (%G), average germination time (TMG), fresh mass (MF) and radicle length (CR) of seedlings. The results showed that jojoba seeds and seedlings are moderately tolerant to saline and water stress, and highly sensitive to temperature increase, therefore, priority should be given to sowing in colder periods. The chapter 2 aimed to know the perceptions of students of the Technical Course in Biofuels about botany and analyze the contribution of a workshop for the contextualized teaching-learning about the bioenergetic potential of jojoba. The students were initially investigated through a semi-structured questionnaire and part of them participated in the workshop later elaborated, in which jojoba was used as an object of study to apply botanical concepts. The activities carried out proved to be effective in stimulating the participants' interest in the botanical contents and in helping to build new apprenticeship related to the bioenergetic potential of jojoba, about which they stil had no knowledge. In general, this work could contribute to research and teaching focused on the cultivation and management of oilseed crops resilient to the environmental conditions of arid and semi-arid regions; relevant from an social and economic point of view, and also potential renewable raw materials for the energy sector.